FA Community Shield kick off at Principality Stadium confirmed

The FA has confirmed that Arsenal and Manchester City will go head-to-head in the 2026 FA Community Shield at Principality Stadium on Sunday 16th August, with kick off now confirmed as 3pm.

The fixture will return to Cardiff for the first time in 20 years, bringing two of the game's biggest clubs to the Welsh capital ahead of the start of the 2026/27 season.

The match will be played at Principality Stadium after the FA confirmed that Wembley Stadium connected by EE is unavailable due to pre-planned concerts. With the Premier League season beginning the following weekend, the FA Community Shield will once again provide the traditional opening the the English domestic football calendar.

Principality Stadium has a rich history of hosting the fixture, having staged the FA Community Shield on six occasions between 2001 and 2006. The stadiums five-star UEFA rating, retractable roof and capacity of over 74,000 make it one of the largest and most versatile venues in the United Kingdom. Making Principality Stadium a fitting stage for one of football’s most highly anticipated annual fixtures.

GAVIN MARSHALL, CHIEF FINANCIAL AND OPERATING OFFICER, WRU;

"The Community Shield is one of the most recognisable fixtures in the football calendar and we're delighted to be welcoming it back to Principality Stadium this summer.

"Hosting major events of this scale is what this stadium was built for and we're already working closely with our partners to ensure supporters enjoy a first-class experience from the moment they arrive in Cardiff to the final whistle.

"Arsenal and Manchester City are two outstanding clubs with passionate fanbases, and we're excited to welcome their supporters to the Welsh capital. Our focus is on creating a memorable experience from the moment fans arrive in the city to the final whistle, and we can't wait to see the stadium come to life once again in August."

MARK WILLIAMS, PRINCIPALITY STADIUM MANAGER:

"It's been almost a decade since we've welcomed a major domestic football fixture to Principality Stadium, so we're incredibly excited to see top-level football return to Cardiff this summer.

"The Community Shield is a prestigious event and one that we're proud to be hosting. Preparations are already well underway across the stadium as we work towards delivering an outstanding occasion for supporters, players and everyone involved.

"We have a hugely experienced team and a proven track record of hosting some of the biggest sporting events in the world. There's a real sense of excitement around welcoming Arsenal and Manchester City to Cardiff, and we're looking forward to seeing the stadium come alive once again in August."