Why is Community Shield not at Wembley this weekend? Arsenal face Man City as season opener moved out of England

The Community Shield is a staple of pre-season in England – but it will not be staged in the country for the first time in two decades.

Fans across the world will tune in as Premier League champions Arsenal take on FA Cup winners Manchester City this weekend.

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The Gunners head into the match aiming to build on their title-winning campaign, following a long-awaited success last term.

Meanwhile, Enzo Maresca will manage his first game as Man City manager and kick off the post-Pep Guardiola era.

Why is the Community Shield not at Wembley Stadium this year?

A major change of venue will see the clash move away from Wembley Stadium to an iconic ground that last hosted the event in 2006.

This is due to scheduling issues with pre-planned summer concerts taking place at the traditional venue.

The Weeknd is booked at England’s national football stadium, performing his ‘After Hours Til Dawn Stadium Tour with Playboi Carti’.

The official statement released by the FA confirmed supporters will have to cross the border into Wales for the clash.

They stated: “The 2026 FA Community Shield will be played at Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Sunday 16 August.”

The event is historically held on the weekend before the Premier League commences, with this season on August 22.

This meant organisers had to target mid-August, which unfortunately clashed with the concert dates.

The Principality Stadium in Cardiff, a 74,500-capacity venue, offers a strictly neutral ground for both competing clubs, ensuring that fans of both teams face a journey.

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The Welsh national ground has hosted the Community Shield on six occasions between 2001 and 2006.

During that period, Arsenal played in four of the meetings, and won two.

Over the six years the fixture was relocated, only four teams competed across the border: Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal, and Chelsea.

In 2022, the fixture was also moved to the King Power Stadium due to Wembley Stadium hosting the Women’s Euro 2022 final.

And in 2012, the game was also moved to Villa Park to host Man City and Chelsea as Wembley hosted the final of the 2012 Olympic football tournament.

The Manchester outfit were victorious on the day, winning 3-2.

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When is the Community Shield?

The 2026 FA Community Shield will take place this Sunday – August 16.

Kick-off for the match is scheduled for 3pm and will be held at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

talkSPORT will have coverage of the fixture, with commentary from Sam Matterface and former England captain Stuart Pearce.

To tune in to talkSPORT through the website, click HERE for the live stream or find us on DAB digital radio through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

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The FA Community Shield will be shown live in the UK on TNT Sports.

Who won the 2025 Community Shield?

Crystal Palace won last year’s edition against Liverpool after securing their first-ever FA Cup.

The Eagles beat the Reds 3-2 on penalties at Wembley after playing out a 2-2 draw in normal time.

Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr scored for Palace in the draw, with Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong netting for Liverpool.

Marc Guehi lifted the trophy as captain under Oliver Glasner, but he will be representing Man City on this year’s occasion.

Similarly, Eberechi Eze also featured in a Palace shirt at Wembley last summer, but will be lining up for Arsenal instead.