Legends reunite at Goodison Park for charity match
A high-profile charity fixture featuring former stars from Liverpool, Everton and other Premier League clubs will take place at Goodison Park on Saturday 26 September, organisers have confirmed. The match, billed as Game4Hope, will be shown live on Channel 5 with kick-off at 4.45pm.
The event will raise funds for two causes working across Merseyside and beyond: Everton in the Community and the homelessness charity Shelter. Viewers who cannot attend in person will be able to watch on Channel 5 and via the broadcaster's app and website, with coverage beginning from 4pm.
Managers, captains and some familiar faces
The Merseyside side will be co-managed by Everton favourite Peter Reid and former Liverpool star John Barnes. The home team will face a Rest of the World XI captained by World Cup winner Rivaldo, who will be joined by fellow Brazil great Cafu.
Also named among the overseas and Premier League icons are Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, former Manchester United defender Jaap Stam and Dutch midfielder Clarence Seedorf. The Everton contingent confirmed to return to Goodison includes Leighton Baines, Gareth Barry, Phil Jagielka, Yakubu, Joleon Lescott and Louis Saha.
- Former Liverpool favourites expected to take part include Robbie Fowler, David James, Ryan Babel, Jari Litmanen and John Aldridge.
- Match proceeds will support local and national charities: Everton in the Community and Shelter.
- Broadcast: live on Channel 5, with stream via Channel 5 app and website; presenters Katie Shanahan and Ade Oladipo front coverage.
Goodison Park to host first Game4Hope
Organisers say the first Game4Hope fixture will now be staged at Goodison Park, having initially been planned for the Hill Dickinson Stadium. The move to Goodison gives the event a higher profile and ensures a larger local audience for a fixture that pairs Merseyside rivals on the same side to raise money for community causes.
"Viewers can witness Everton and Liverpool legends put their famous rivalry aside to come together for a cause that matters," a Paramount press release said.
Channel 5's director of sport, Raphael Pendergast, commented on the partnership with the event organisers. The broadcaster will provide full live coverage and build-up of a match that promises a mix of nostalgia and support for homelessness work across the region.
Local impact and what to expect on the day
For Merseyside residents the match does more than offer a chance to see household names back on the pitch. It will funnel ticket revenue and donations towards youth, education and hardship programmes run by Everton in the Community, while contributing to Shelter’s national work tackling homelessness — a cause with clear local resonance across Liverpool and surrounding areas.
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday 26 September |
| Kick-off | 4.45pm (coverage from 4pm) |
| Venue | Goodison Park |
| Broadcast | Channel 5 and Channel 5 app/website |
Organisers and charities will aim to maximise public engagement by combining the draw of former stars with accessible television coverage. For those who remember the height of Merseyside rivalry, this fixture is unusual: ex-Reds and ex-Toffees joining forces on home turf to raise money for local causes.
Ticket information, exact line-ups and further event details are being managed by the organisers and partners including LGNDS and Paramount, who issued the press statement. Supporters planning to attend or watch should check Channel 5’s listings and the event’s official channels for the latest updates.
