The 2026 FA Community Shield is between Arsenal and Manchester City on Sunday 16 August 2026, kicking off at 3:00pm at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
English football’s traditional curtain-raiser pits the Premier League champions, Arsenal, against the FA Cup winners, Manchester City, one week before the new season begins. Here’s everything you need — the date, kick-off time, venue, TV coverage and how to bet.
Community Shield 2026: Key Facts
| Match | Arsenal v Manchester City |
| Date | Sunday 16 August 2026 |
| Kick-off | 3:00pm (15:00 BST) |
| Venue | Principality Stadium, Cardiff |
| TV | TNT Sports 1 / HBO Max |
| Competition | 104th FA Community Shield |
| Why they qualified | Arsenal (2025/26 Premier League champions) v Man City (2026 FA Cup winners) |
Correct at the time of writing and subject to change. 18+. GambleAware.org.
When Is the Community Shield 2026?
The 2026 FA Community Shield takes place on Sunday 16 August 2026, with a 3:00pm kick-off. It is played one week before the 2026/27 Premier League season begins, serving as the traditional opening fixture of the English domestic football calendar. This year’s match is the 104th edition of the Shield.
Who Is Playing in the Community Shield 2026?
The Community Shield is contested each year by the winners of the previous season’s Premier League and FA Cup. In 2026, that means:
- Arsenal — as the 2025/26 Premier League champions, their first title in over two decades.
- Manchester City — as the 2026 FA Cup winners.
Crystal Palace, who won the 2025 Community Shield, are the holders but did not qualify this year, having finished 15th in the Premier League and gone out of the FA Cup in the third round.
Where Is the Community Shield 2026 Being Played?
The 2026 Community Shield is at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff (formerly the Millennium Stadium) — the first time the fixture has been held in the Welsh capital since 2006. The match has moved from its usual Wembley home because the national stadium is hosting a series of concerts by The Weeknd on his After Hours til Dawn Tour. Principality Stadium staged the Community Shield six times between 2001 and 2006.
Where to Bet on the Community Shield 2026
The Community Shield is the first big betting fixture of the new season, and it’s the ideal time to open a new account and claim a welcome offer before the Premier League gets under way. The leading bookmakers are pricing up the match result, goalscorers and bet builders, and new customers can grab free bets to put towards the game. Below are our top sign-up offers to get started.
If you’re opening an account for the new season, our guide to the best football betting sites covers the strongest options, and it’s worth comparing welcome offers before you commit.
What TV Channel Is the Community Shield 2026 On?
The 2026 Community Shield is live on TNT Sports 1 in the UK, and can also be streamed on HBO Max. Coverage begins in the build-up to the 3:00pm kick-off. It is not on free-to-air television.
Community Shield 2026 and the New Premier League Season
The Community Shield traditionally opens the English football season, and this year it falls one week before the Premier League returns. For the full picture of when league football is back, see our guide to when the 2026/27 Premier League season starts.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Community Shield 2026?
The 2026 FA Community Shield is on Sunday 16 August 2026, kicking off at 3:00pm.
Who is playing in the Community Shield 2026?
Arsenal, as Premier League champions, against Manchester City, as FA Cup winners.
Where is the Community Shield 2026 being played?
At the Principality Stadium in Cardiff — the first time in the city since 2006 — because Wembley is hosting concerts.
What time does the Community Shield kick off?
3:00pm (15:00 BST) on Sunday 16 August 2026.
What channel is the Community Shield 2026 on?
Live on TNT Sports 1 in the UK, with streaming on HBO Max.
Why is the Community Shield in Cardiff and not Wembley?
Wembley is unavailable because it is hosting a series of The Weeknd concerts, so the fixture moved to Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.
More football guides and betting: When does the 2026/27 Premier League season start? · Latest football odds · Best football betting sites · Best UK betting sites
Details were correct at the time of writing and are subject to change. 18+. Please gamble responsibly. Never bet more than you can afford to lose. GambleAware.org · GamCare.org.uk.
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