The 2026 FA Community Shield takes place on Sunday 16 August 2026 at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, with Arsenal facing Manchester City. The match is contested between the Premier League champions and the FA Cup winners, serving as the traditional curtain-raiser to the English football season and the first major domestic fixture of the 2026-27 campaign.
What is the FA Community Shield?
The FA Community Shield is the annual season-opening match in English football, contested between the winners of the previous season’s Premier League and FA Cup. If the same club wins both competitions, the runners-up of the Premier League take their place. Organised by The Football Association, the match has been played since 1908, making it one of the oldest football competitions in the world.
While it does not count towards league or European competition statistics, the Community Shield is a fully competitive 90-minute fixture with a penalty shootout to separate the sides if level after 90 minutes. The match traditionally marks the symbolic beginning of a new season and provides both clubs with a first competitive outing ahead of Premier League action the following weekend.
When is the FA Community Shield 2026?
The 2026 FA Community Shield is played on Sunday 16 August 2026 at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. The fixture falls five days before the 2026-27 Premier League season begins on 21 August. Kick-off time is to be confirmed by The Football Association but is expected in the early afternoon.
Where is the FA Community Shield 2026 Held?
The 2026 edition is staged at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, rather than the usual venue of Wembley Stadium in London. Wembley was unavailable on the date due to prior scheduling commitments. This makes 2026 only the third occasion since the Community Shield returned to Wembley in 2007 that the match has been held elsewhere, and the first time Cardiff has hosted the fixture since 2006.
The Principality Stadium has a capacity of 74,500 and is home to the Wales national rugby union team. Its retractable roof makes it one of the finest event venues in the United Kingdom. The stadium has previously hosted FA Cup finals, boxing world title fights, and major concerts, and is well equipped to stage a sell-out occasion of this nature.
The Teams: Arsenal vs Manchester City
Arsenal take their place in the fixture as Premier League champions, having won the 2025-26 top-flight title. Manchester City qualify as FA Cup winners after claiming the domestic cup in May 2026. The meeting pits two of English football’s most decorated clubs against each other in a fixture that carries genuine competitive stakes despite its curtain-raiser billing.
Arsenal have been one of the most consistent forces in English football in recent seasons, building a squad capable of competing for honours across multiple competitions. Manchester City, with their record of winning major trophies under a sustained period of investment, arrive in Cardiff determined to begin the new campaign with silverware. The two clubs have met frequently in high-profile matches, adding an established sense of rivalry to the occasion.
How to Watch the FA Community Shield 2026
In the United Kingdom, the FA Community Shield is broadcast live on ITV or Sky Sports depending on the current rights holder. International viewers can access the match through the Premier League’s global broadcast partners including beIN Sports and DAZN. In the United States, NBC Sports or Peacock is expected to carry live coverage. Confirmed broadcast details will be announced closer to the match date.
History of the FA Community Shield
The FA Community Shield was first contested in 1908 as the FA Charity Shield, with the name changing to Community Shield in 2002. The match was played at various neutral grounds across England before settling at Wembley Stadium. It serves a charitable purpose alongside its role as a season opener, with proceeds directed to community football projects across England.
Manchester United hold the record for most Community Shield wins with 21 titles, followed by Arsenal with 17 and Liverpool with 16. The fixture has occasionally provided an early indicator of a club’s season ahead, though its one-off nature means form from the Community Shield does not always translate to consistent league performances. Penalty shootout finishes have become a regular feature in recent editions.
Tickets
Tickets for the 2026 FA Community Shield are available through The Football Association’s official ticketing platform and through each participating club. A match between Arsenal and Manchester City at a compact neutral venue is expected to generate very high demand. Cardiff’s Principality Stadium is well connected by public transport from Cardiff Central station, with the city centre a short walk from the ground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the 2026 Community Shield not at Wembley?
Wembley Stadium was unavailable on 16 August 2026 due to prior scheduling commitments, so The FA moved the match to the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
Who is playing in the 2026 FA Community Shield?
Arsenal, as Premier League champions, face Manchester City, as FA Cup winners, in the 2026 edition.
Is the FA Community Shield a competitive match?
Yes, it is a fully competitive fixture played over 90 minutes with a penalty shootout if the sides are level. It is organised by The Football Association and considered an official domestic honour.
When does the Premier League season start after the Community Shield?
The 2026-27 Premier League season begins on Friday 21 August 2026, five days after the Community Shield.