Soccer Aid for UNICEF
Young Creators Competitions
We’re inviting children and young people across England, Scotland and Wales to channel their values and creativity into designs that could be featured in Soccer Aid for UNICEF 2026!
Find out how you or a child in your care can get involved below.
T-SHIRT DESIGN COMPETITION – AGES 6-14
This is your chance to design the t-shirt that child mascots will wear at Soccer Aid for UNICEF 2026 on Sunday 31 May at London Stadium.
The winner will also join as one of the mascots, an exciting opportunity to come onto the pitch on matchday alongside the Soccer Aid for UNICEF players.
The design needs to be imaginative, impactful, and meaningful, reflecting UNICEF’s values and/or the fundamental rights of children worldwide.
Please note designs must not include offensive language, inappropriate content or any names or logos, except for the Soccer Aid for UNICEF logo already embedded into the design template.
Entries must be submitted by midday on Tuesday 14 April 2026. Terms and conditions apply.
Please see UNICEF UK’s privacy policy to understand how we use and store your personal information.
Who can enter?
The Soccer Aid for UNICEF T-shirt Design Competition is open to all children aged 6 to 14, provided the child resides in England, Scotland or Wales. Entry is limited to one submission per child and the winner must be aged between 6 to 14 on matchday, Sunday 31 May 2026.
We wholeheartedly embrace diversity in all its forms, recognising the unique perspectives it brings and the profound impact it has on children’s lives. We welcome participants from diverse backgrounds and experiences to enter this competition.
How can I enter the child in my care?
To enter, download and print the design template here. Pupils can design their t-shirt directly onto the template, ensuring the right sleeve is kept plain.
Parents and guardians should scan the entry, ensuring the child’s age and date of birth are included, as these details are needed for judging and matchday eligibility. Please don’t include the child’s first or last name as this is not required. Parents and guardians should then email entries to [email protected] with ‘Young Creators T-shirt Competition’ in the subject line. Please also include the full name and contact telephone number of the parent or guardian in the body of the email as well as the country the child resides in (England, Scotland or Wales).
Entries must be submitted by midday on Tuesday 14th April 2026.
How will the winner be selected?
A panel from UNICEF UK will carefully review and shortlist all entries and the UNICEF UK Youth Advisory Board will select the winner and runner-up designs. The winning design will be approved by the Head of Soccer Aid for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) and the Executive Producer of Soccer Aid for UNICEF (Initial Banijay UK).
The panel will judge designs on how imaginative, impactful, and meaningful they are, and how effectively they reflect UNICEF’s values and/or the fundamental rights of children worldwide.
What is the prize?
As well as the winner’s design appearing on all child mascot t-shirts, the winner will win the opportunity to be a child mascot at this year’s Soccer Aid for UNICEF on Sunday 31 May at London Stadium. The winner, and two guests (one of whom must be an accompanying guardian aged over 18) shall be provided 3 general admission tickets, public transportation up to £200 in total for travel to/ or within London and return travel home the next day, £100 in total towards subsistence, and a one-night stay on Sunday 31 May, at a 3* London Hotel with one room accommodating 3 people.
On the day of the event, the winner will be a mascot for either the Soccer Aid for UNICEF England or World XI team and will enter the pitch with the team. After completing ‘mascot duties’ the winner will be accompanied back to their guardian and guest to watch the game in the stadium.
Only one prize is available, and one winner shall be selected. The prize is non-exchangeable, and no cash alternatives shall be offered.
POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION – AGES 15-18
We’re inviting young people aged 15 – 18 to design a poster that could be printed in the 20th Anniversary edition of the Soccer Aid for UNICEF matchday programme. The winner and two guests will also get the chance to watch the match live from London Stadium on Sunday 31 May!
The design needs to be imaginative, impactful, and meaningful, reflecting UNICEF’s values and/or the fundamental rights of children worldwide.
Please note designs must be in landscape A4 format and must not include offensive language, inappropriate content or any names or logos.
Entries must be submitted by midday on Tuesday 14 April 2026. Terms and conditions apply.
Please see UNICEF UK’s privacy policy to understand how we use and store your personal information.
Who can enter?
The Soccer Aid for UNICEF Poster Design Competition is open to all children and young people aged 15 to 18, provided the child or young person resides in England, Scotland or Wales. Entry is limited to one submission per child and the winner must be aged between 15 to 18 on matchday, Sunday 31 May 2026.
We wholeheartedly embrace diversity in all its forms, recognising the unique perspectives it brings and the profound impact it has on children’s lives. We welcome participants from diverse backgrounds and experiences to enter this competition.
How can I enter the child in my care?
To enter, children and young people can design their poster in A4 landscape format.
If the entrant is under 18, their parent or guardian must submit the entry on their behalf. Parents and guardians should scan the entry and then email it to [email protected] with ‘Young Creators Poster Competition’ in the subject line.
Parents and guardians must also provide the child’s age and date of birth, as these details are needed for judging and matchday eligibility. Please also include the full name and a contact telephone number of the parents and guardian, the country the child resides in (England, Scotland or Wales) in the body of the email. Please don’t include the child’s first or last name as this is not required.
Entries must be submitted by midday on Thursday 14 April 2026.
Can I submit my own entry if I am 18 years old?
To enter, young people can design their poster in A4 landscape format.
Young people who are aged 18 can scan their own entry and submit it by emailing it to [email protected] with ‘Young Creators Poster Competition’ in the subject line. Entrants should include their first name, age, date of birth, contact telephone number and country of residence (England, Scotland or Wales) in the body of the email.
Entries must be submitted by midday on Thursday 14 April 2026.
How will the winner be selected?
A panel from UNICEF UK will carefully review and shortlist all entries and the UNICEF UK Youth Advisory Board will select the winner and runner-up designs. The winning design will be reviewed and approved by the Head of Soccer Aid for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) and the Head of Marketing at Soccer Aid Productions.
The panel will judge designs on how imaginative, impactful, and meaningful they are, and how effectively they reflect UNICEF’s values and/or the fundamental rights of children worldwide.
What is the prize?
The winning design will be printed in the Soccer Aid for UNICEF Matchday Programme. The winner will also receive the opportunity to attend this year’s Soccer Aid for UNICEF on Sunday 31 May at London Stadium. The winner, and two guests (one of whom must be an accompanying guardian aged over 18, if the winner is under the age 18) shall be provided 3 general admission tickets, public transportation up to £200 in total for travel to/ or within London and return travel home the next day, £100 in total towards subsistence, and a one-night stay on Sunday 31 May, at a 3* London Hotel with one room accommodating 3 people.
Only one prize is available, and one winner shall be selected. The prize is non-exchangeable, and no cash alternatives shall be offered.