#10.3.2025

March 10, 2025 - Day 264

Louis Tomlinson has said it's a 'dream come true' as he prepares to return to a Manchester event for the first time in nine years.

The former One Direction member has been in the city for a number of gigs in recent years as a solo act, including his gig at the AO Arena, on November 11, 2023.

With the first details of Soccer Aid being released on Tuesday March 11), it was announced that Louis is returning to the match eight years after his original appearance in 2016.

Louis' last Soccer Aid apperance, held in Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium, saw him part of an England team that beat the Rest of The World 3-2. One highlight of the event, saw Louis shush his former bandmate Niall Horan from the sidelines after England took the lead.

The 33-year-old will be taking part in the 2025 edition of Soccer Aid, set to be held at Old Trafford, Manchester, on Father's Day, Sunday, June 15.

Speaking about the game, Louis said: "Manchester! It's about ten years since I last turned out for Soccer Aid, so I thought it was about time I returned to the pitch. As everyone knows, I am a massive football fan so playing with some legends of the game is a dream come true.

"Wayne Rooney with Tyson Fury in the manager’s seat – it’s gonna be a good one! It’s all for an amazing cause: UNICEF. Please buy your tickets and support the incredible work they do.”

Louis will be co-managed by the unlikely duo of Tyson Fury and former Man United player Wayne Rooney, who is also coming out of retirement to play.

Wayne said: “I enjoyed the last time I was involved at Soccer Aid so much that when the call came for the 2025 match it was a really easy decision! I’m a big boxing fan, so to do it alongside Tyson Fury is fantastic. It really sums up how brilliant Soccer Aid is. We have this in common: we’ll both be taking it incredibly seriously!

"Obviously it’s great to lace-up the old boots again – and see some old friends – but the cause is the real reason we are doing this. UNICEF needs our help. So, I promise we’ll put on a show for you this June if you buy your tickets to help raise money for UNICEF and for children around the world.”

Tyson Fury added: “Tyson Fury: ENGLAND MANAGER! Who would ever have thought it!? I have had some big fights in my career and the prospect of leading my England team to victory this June fills me with just as much excitement as any heavyweight fight!

"Everyone knows that I am a huge Manchester United fan too, so it’s even more special for me that the game is at Old Trafford this year – and I get to manage one of my heroes, Wayne Rooney! How can we lose!? The work UNICEF does all around the world is so special and so important. I really hope that you can come along and support us this summer.”

Making their Soccer Aid debuts are Manchester streamer Angry Ginge, Joe Hart, Nadia Nadim, Steph Houghton, Toni Duggan and Leonardo Bonucci.

Among the returnees for Soccer Aid 2025, which will air for free on ITV and ITVX, is Harry Redknapp, Vicky McClure, David James, Paddy McGuinness, Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, Jermain Defoe, Jill Scott, Tom Grennan, Sam Thompson and Sir Mo Farah.

Tickets for the game are on sale now via socceraid.org.uk/tickets – adult tickets from £20 and juniors from £10. Tickets include access to a pre-game ‘Fan Zone’ and ‘Player Arrivals Area’

SOCCER AID FOR UNICEF, OLD TRAFFORD, MANCHESTER, SUNDAY 15 JUNE

Soccer Aid for UNICEF returns to Old Trafford, Manchester this June. Uniting celebrities and footballing legends to battle it out on the pitch as England take on the Soccer Aid World XI FC in the world’s biggest charity football match.

England took the crown last summer meaning this year there’s everything to play for – and with an incredible lineup of stars, this is shaping up to be a thrilling match. Fan favourites Jill Scott, Sam Thomspon, Tom Grennan and Sir Mo Farah are joined by exciting new signings Joe Hart, Steph Houghton, Leonardo Bonucci and many more! This year also sees the hotly anticipated return of Soccer Aid stars including Louis Tomlinson and Wayne Rooney – one of the greatest footballers of all time – who will be on former home ground at Old Trafford, Manchester.

WHAT IS SOCCER AID FOR UNICEF?

Created by Robbie Williams in 2006, Soccer Aid for UNICEF brings the nation together behind a common goal: to protect play for every child. On 15 June England and the Soccer Aid World XI FC will once again go head-to-head, in the world’s biggest celebrity football match. Cheered on by passionate fans at Old Trafford and broadcast live on ITV1, ITVX and STV, Soccer Aid for UNICEF harnesses the power of football to support children around the world to grow up safe, healthy and able to play.

PROTECTING PLAY FOR EVERY CHILD

Building castles. Dressing up. Kickabouts with friends. For a child, life should be all about play.

It’s more than just fun and games. Play is how children learn, explore and build relationships. It creates a world that’s fizzing with imagination and possibility. It gives us some of our happiest memories.

But it’s hard for children to play when they’re living in a conflict zone, sick from hunger, fighting disease, or left homeless by disaster.

But your support can help change that.

Soccer Aid for UNICEF is bringing millions of us together with one goal: for children to grow up safe, healthy and able to play.

When you buy tickets or watch the live show and donate, you’re part of one big team, supporting UNICEF’s vital work with families, communities and trusted organisations to create and protect safe spaces for children to play.

They money raised helps UNICEF deliver vital programmes which provides therapeutic food, healthcare, safe spaces and crisis support around the world, all helping children grow up safe, healthy and able to play.

Watch our stories to see the impact of your support.

Mumbai: International pop artist Louis Tomlinson on Sunday made a smashing India debut at the third edition of Lollapalooza India music festival, describing it as a “mind-blowing and incredible” experience.

Taking the stage shortly after 7 pm on the second day of the festival, the singer-songwriter kicked off his performance with an introduction: “My name is Louis Tomlinson, and this is my fucking incredible band.” The 33-year-old artist, who hails from Doncaster, England, said he had never imagined about performing a show in India. “Never in a million fucking years did I ever think I’d be in India when I was a young lad, and never did I think I’d be performing here. It’s mind-blowing, man, I can’t get my head around it. I love you,” he said.

Even though many ardent fans of Tomlinson thronged the Mahalaxmi Racecourse in South Mumbai, the crowd seemed a bit thinner as compared to day one of the music festival, perhaps due to the final match of the ICC Champions Trophy between India and New Zealand.

“My view was like, from there and I could see like maybe this many people and thinking fucking hell, no one’s turned up. Thank you all for turning up," the singer said on a lighter note. “Thank you so much, this is going to be a good one,” he said, adding that he was going to sing one of his hit songs "Drag Me Down", which resulted in loud cheers from the crowd. The concert was a delightful mix of nostalgia and fresh tracks as Tomlinson performed popular songs from his One Direction days, like "Where Do Broken Hearts Go" and "Night Changes", alongside his solo hits such as "Written All Over Your Face", "Out of System", "Saturdays", "Back To You Now", and "We Made It".

Popular British boy band One Direction comprised Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, Niall Horan and the late Liam Payne. The members went on an indefinite hiatus as a group in March 2016 to focus on the individual careers.

Having toured around the world for his music concerts, the singer took a moment to appreciate the unwavering support he has received over the years. “Every single place I go, I get so much support. This is a collaborative experience; we are doing this together, and the confidence that you all give me. Thanks, all my love. You are incredible. I’ll never ever forget this. Thank you, India for everything,” he said. As the concert drew to a close, Tomlinson said wanted to capture the moment with the crowd and his band on camera. “I want to remember this moment,” he said.

Former One Direction member Louis Tomlinson described his debut concert in India as “mind-blowing”. The 33-year-old singer performed at the Lollapalooza India 2025 music festival in Mumbai on Sunday.

"India, I had no idea what to expect, but you turned up in full force. From Doncaster to Mumbai. F**** mind-blowing. Thank you," Tomlinson wrote on X on Sunday, thanking fans for their love and support.

The concert at Mumbai’s Mahalaxmi Race Course saw Tomlinson performing songs from his One Direction days like Where Do Broken Hearts Go and Night Changes, alongside his solo hits such as Written All Over Your Face, Out of System, Saturdays, Back To You Now, and We Made It.

Tomlinson announced his debut gig in India way back in January. "India is going to be special. It’s somewhere I’ve dreamt of playing for a long time," he wrote in a post on X.

Popular British boy band One Direction, formed in 2010, comprised Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, Niall Horan and the late Liam Payne, alongside Tomlinson. The members went on an indefinite hiatus as a group in March 2016 to focus on their individual careers.

Tomlinson released his debut studio album, Walls, on January 31, 2020. The album debuted at number four on the UK Albums Chart and number nine on the Billboard 200. His second studio album, Faith in the Future, was released on November 11, 2022. The album featuring three singles — Bigger Than Me, Out of My System and Silver Tongues — debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart and peaked at number five on the Billboard 200.

The third edition of Lollapalooza India 2025 is promoted and co-produced by BookMyShow Live, the live entertainment division of BookMyShow, along with global producers Perry Farrell and C3 Presents.