Q: What sparked the idea behind the Legends Charity Game, and what message does the event aim to convey to the industry and broader audience?
Rasmus Sojmark: The Legends Charity Game comes from two things that I’ve always carried with me. First, my love for football. Like so many kids, I grew up sliding around muddy pitches, busting up my knees, and dreaming of one day playing alongside the legends. Later, it was endless hours on Championship Manager, building dream squads with the players I admired. And then, working in events (an industry that naturally overlaps with sports), I always looked for ways to weave football into our work. Whether it was bringing legends to host ceremonies, playing in our SBC Football Championship, or arranging meet-and-greets, that passion never really left me. This charity game is the next chapter in that story. It’s us saying: let’s make this passion into something the whole industry can enjoy together.
And then there’s the bigger purpose. If we’re bringing together 60,000 fans in a stadium, and millions more around the world tuning in, it has to mean more than just entertainment. You have an opportunity, and almost a responsibility, to make it matter. That’s why we’re raising funds for four charities close to our hearts. And that’s what makes me proud.
The message? It depends on who you ask. For some, it’s nostalgia. For others, it’s the chance to share a nice memory with industry friends. For many, it’s the thrill of watching legends share the pitch again. But for all of us, it’s about giving back. To me, that’s what makes it so powerful: it’s a message of connection, compassion, and love.
Q: Amusnet joins as a Gold Sponsor for this first edition. How does such support contribute to the overall impact and success of the initiative?
RS: I can’t overstate how important it is to have the support of a company like Amusnet in making an event of this scale possible and in helping us raise over €1 million for four incredible charities.
The Legends Charity Game in Lisbon is a lifeline for communities facing unimaginable hardship. On Monday, 15 September 2025, the global football community will come together not only in celebration but in solidarity. As the legends take the field, every pass, every cheer, and every goal will carry a message of hope for those who need it most.
This event is raising funds for four remarkable charities working on the frontlines of crisis:
- The Red Cross in Ukraine, delivering emergency aid and medical care to civilians caught in the devastation of war.
- The Portuguese Red Cross, providing relief for communities facing natural disasters and economic hardship.
- International Alert, building peace and protecting vulnerable lives in conflict-affected regions across the world.
- Caritas Portugal, ensuring families in Portugal living with poverty and displacement find dignity, support, and shelter.
By supporting this game, fans and players alike are turning their love of football into a force for good.
It’s a powerful reminder that the global football family can do so much more than entertain. It can heal, empower, and restore hope. Together, we can make this more than a game. We can make it a movement.
Q: This Charity game brings together some of the most celebrated football legends globally, including great players from Bulgaria. What kind of experience and atmosphere can attendees and viewers look forward to?
RS: Yes, we’re thrilled to have Hristo Stoichkov and Krasimir Balakov representing Bulgaria. Two of the most gifted players of their generation and true legends of that unforgettable 1994 World Cup team.
You can expect nothing less than the ultimate spectacle. The World Legends squad brings together some of the greatest players of all time: Peter Schmeichel, Edwin van der Sar, Petr Čech, Roberto Carlos, Carles Puyol, John Terry, Cafu, Javier Zanetti, Diego Lugano, Marco Materazzi, PatriceEvra, Gaizka Mendieta, Youri Djorkaeff, Christian Karembeu, Marek Hamšík, Giorgos Karagounis, Gheorghe Hagi, Henrik Larsson, Javier Saviola, Michael Owen, Alessandro Del Piero, and Kaká.
On the other side, the Portugal Legends will be captained by Luís Figo, joined by icons from the Euro 2016-winning squad such as Nani, Ricardo Quaresma, Eliseu, Pepe, and Ricardo Carvalho. Champions League winners Fábio Coentrão, Maniche, Hugo Almeida, Vítor Baía, José Bosingwa, and Deco will also feature, alongside other beloved Portuguese names including Beto, Jorge Andrade, Dani, Tiago Mendes, Hélder Postiga, Nuno Gomes, and Simão. The team will be managed by none other than Champions League winner Costinha. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Portuguese Football Federation for their help in securing some of these icons.
Fans can expect an atmosphere worthy of a Champions League final. Spider cameras, stadium energy, and all the spectacle that comes with it. But what makes this night different is that the rivalry won’t matter as much. Every legend will be playing for the same goal, and every fan will be cheering for the same cause. This night will be proof that when football comes together, it can be bigger than the game itself.
Q: One of Amusnet’s core values is ‘We care for our people and society.’ In this context, beyond the excitement on the pitch, what lasting impact do you hope this initiative will make?
RS: A little money can go a long way when it comes to supporting communities in dire need, and it can also have lasting effects on the younger members of those communities. SBC has always been about community, so choosing charitable partners who share that same focus felt like the obvious move.
We also have the ambition to run the Legends Charity Game at least until the 2030 World Cup, with Portugal as one of the co-hosts. This way, we can continue generating much-needed funds for these forward-looking charities over a number of years.
Ultimately, the hope is that this initiative becomes more than just a match and that it creates a ripple effect. If even one child gets the chance to grow up in a safer environment, one family receives the support they need to get back on their feet, or one community finds hope in the middle of hardship, then the game will have achieved something truly meaningful. That’s the kind of legacy we want the Legends Charity Game to leave behind.
Q: Amusnet and SBC have built a strong, long-term partnership over the years. From your perspective, how has this collaboration evolved?
RS: I have huge respect for Amusnet. They are very much part of the SBC family. Without their continued support for our events, especially the SBC Summit in Lisbon, it would be difficult to sustain the growth we’ve achieved at SBC.
I’ve also been lucky to share some incredible memories with Amusnet at our shows around the world, from Florida to Lisbon, and of course, the Rio Carnival earlier this year.
Q: What is your long-term vision for the SBC Events, and how do you see its growth strategy evolving to remain at the forefront of the industry and expand your international presence?
Well, first of all, we have named the SBC Summit the "Greatest Show in Gaming," and I stand firm on this claim, as we truly believe it’s the best and most exciting event in the gaming industry. ICE might attract more visitors since it’s a free-to-attend show, but the quality, hospitality, and experiences we deliver at the SBC Summit in Lisbon are on another level.
Everyone at SBC is fully committed to delivering the very best events, and we work tirelessly to make this happen for the industry, for our many supporters, and for all the delegates who attend.
In addition to our shows in Lisbon, Rio, Fort Lauderdale, Canada, Malta, and Tbilisi, we will be expanding into new regions in 2026 to remain at the forefront of giving the industry access to emerging and newly regulated markets.
