As anticipation builds for the return of the Unity Cup, organisers are proud to announce SMADE Entertainment Group as the official entertainment partner for the 2026 tournament, taking place from 26-30 May at The Valley.
British-Nigerian entrepreneur Dr Adesegun Adeosun Jr, founder of SMADE Entertainment said: “For over 22 years, SMADE has existed to serve our communities. On the biggest stages, in the loudest rooms, in the most meaningful moments. From building Afro Nation into a global movement, to running the London Marathon for The Africa Centre, it has always been about showing up for our people, in every arena. Unity Cup is the perfect stage for what comes next. Four nations. Four cultures. One unstoppable voice. This is football. This is culture. This is us.”
A global cultural powerhouse, SMADE Entertainment Group, co-founders of Afro Nation are widely recognised as a “pied piper of diaspora communities” and bring a track record of delivering world-class music moments that unite diaspora communities across continents.
A Tournament Rooted in Culture and Competition
The Unity Cup 2026 will see four nations; Nigeria, Jamaica, Zimbabwe, and India compete against each other:
· Semi-Final 1 (26 May): Nigeria vs Zimbabwe (The Rematch).
· Semi-Final 2 (27 May): Jamaica vs India (The Culture Clash)
· Final and Third Place Play Off (30 May): Winners progress to the Grand Final
All fixtures kick off at 7:30pm, with Finals Day also featuring a third-place play-off with kick off at 2:30pm.
Returning to its historic South London home, the tournament continues its legacy of blending elite football with cultural celebration, building on the success of the 2025 edition.
This will also be the first time that Zimbabwe have played a competitive football match in the UK.
With SMADE Entertainment Group at the heart of the entertainment, there will be cultural representation from each of the four nations in the intervals between games to keep the celebration going.
A spokesperson for The Unity Cup said: “Unity Cup and SMADE are a natural fit because we share the same DNA. We both believe sport and culture are most powerful when they’re together. This is what happens when you put the right people in the same room and let them do what they do best.”
Finals Day will extend beyond football, turning The Valley into a full-scale cultural celebration, complete with global food experiences representing all four nations.
The Unity Cup’s return to Charlton Athletic FC’s home ground for the first time since 2004 also reinforces its commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion. Through collaboration with the club’s Community Trust, the tournament will support programmes promoting social cohesion, health, education, and opportunity.
Tickets are on sale now and available to purchase via www.unitycup.com.
