{"id":852281,"date":"2026-07-15T14:11:06","date_gmt":"2026-07-15T14:11:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/myclubgroup.com\/?p=852281"},"modified":"2026-07-15T15:16:54","modified_gmt":"2026-07-15T15:16:54","slug":"how-to-organise-a-charity-football-match-downloadable-step-by-step-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/myclubgroup.com\/de\/how-to-organise-a-charity-football-match-downloadable-step-by-step-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Organise a Charity Football Match: Downloadable Step-by-Step Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

It always starts the same way. Someone in the group chat says \u201cwe should do a charity match<\/a> for that\u201d, everyone agrees, and then there's a silence - because now somebody has to actually organise it and kit the teams out<\/a>...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If that somebody is you: good news. A charity match is one of the best things a community can do with a football pitch, and it's far more doable than it looks. Here's the whole job, step by step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Step 1: Pick the cause, then pick the date<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The cause usually picks itself - that's why you're here. Make it specific and personal where you can: \u201cfor Sam's rehab\u201d or \u201cfor the local food bank\u201d will always out-raise \u201cfor charity\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then give yourself six to eight weeks. Check the date against local fixtures, school holidays and anything else your crowd would rather be at. Sunday early afternoon is the sweet spot - players are free, families can come, and the pub is open after.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 2: Sort the venue<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your options, in rough order of cost: a club's home ground (often free or cheap if the cause is local - just ask), a school or college 3G (great in winter, book early), or council pitches through your local authority. Whoever you book with, tell them it's a charity event - many venues will discount or donate the hire, and that's your first sponsorship win before a ball's been kicked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 3: Insurance and permissions - the boring bit that isn't optional<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Two questions to ask before anything else. Does the venue's insurance cover your event, or do you need your own public liability cover? And if you're using an affiliated club's facilities, does the match need sanctioning through the county FA? Neither is difficult - both are much easier six weeks out than six days out. Your venue and county FA will tell you exactly what they need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While you're at it: first aid. At minimum, a qualified first aider and a kit on site. Many local providers offer charity rates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 4: Pick a format everyone can play<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

An 11-a-side slog in July heat is nobody's fundraiser. Think about who's actually turning up: mixed-ability 7-a-side works almost everywhere, a round-robin of short games gets more people (and more donations) involved, and legends vs current squad sells itself. Walking football brings in a generation who'd otherwise stand on the sideline holding the bucket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Book a referee through the county FA or a local league - and pay them, even for charity. Some will donate the fee back; that's their call to make, not yours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Step 5: Raise actual money, not just goodwill<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A well-attended match that raises \u00a340 is a lovely afternoon and a wasted opportunity. Stack up several small earners rather than relying on one:<\/p>\n\n\n\n