Arsenal will begin their title defence with a Community Shield clash against Manchester City on Sunday, August 16, 2026, in a match relocated to Cardiff's Principality Stadium for the first time in two decades.
The traditional curtain-raiser, which pits the reigning Premier League champions against the FA Cup holders, has been moved away from its usual Wembley home because the London venue is hosting five concert dates for Canadian pop star The Weeknd between August 14 and 19 as part of his After Hours Til Dawn Tour. The FA confirmed back in March that Wembley would be unavailable due to the pre-planned shows.
Welsh Rugby Union chief financial and operating officer Gavin Marshall welcomed the switch, saying: "We are absolutely delighted to be welcoming the FA Community Shield back to Principality Stadium. This fixture has a special place in the stadium's history and to be hosting it again for the first time in 20 years is a tremendously proud moment for everyone here."
He added: "Principality Stadium has built its reputation on delivering world-class events and creating truly special occasions for fans, and this is no different. We know from experience the atmosphere this stadium generates when it is at capacity, and we are fully committed to ensuring supporters of both clubs have an unforgettable experience on 16 August. This is exactly the kind of occasion this stadium was made for, and we cannot wait to welcome everyone to Cardiff."
The 74,500-capacity venue previously staged the fixture for six consecutive years between 2001 and 2006 while Wembley underwent reconstruction, with Arsenal and Liverpool each lifting the trophy twice during that spell, while Manchester United and Chelsea also won there in 2003 and 2005 respectively. The stadium is also set to host the opening match of Euro 2028, which will be jointly staged by England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Sunday's fixture kicks off at 3pm BST and carries extra significance given the managerial changeover at City, where Enzo Maresca has taken charge following Pep Guardiola's departure in May after a decade in the role. Maresca, formerly of Chelsea, will go head-to-head with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta for the first time in this fixture, which will be broadcast live in the UK on TNT Sports from 2pm.
Arsenal head into the match as Premier League champions for the first time since topping the table ahead of City last season, and this marks their first appearance in the Community Shield as league winners in 22 years. Arteta must navigate defensive injury concerns, with William Saliba and Jurrien Timber both sidelined. Cristhian Mosquera looks likely to partner Gabriel at the back, though young defender Marli Salmon has caught the eye in pre-season. Myles Lewis-Skelly is expected to start alongside captain Martin Odegaard in midfield, while Kai Havertz could return to a central striking role.
For City, Erling Haaland returned to training on Thursday after a post-World Cup break and a minor fitness issue but may not be risked from the start. Phil Foden, Antoine Semenyo and Omar Marmoush are all in contention, while new £116 million signing Elliot Anderson, who joined after England's run to the World Cup semi-finals, is pushing for a place in the matchday squad.
Historically, Arsenal have come out on top in both of their previous Community Shield meetings with City, though four of the last six editions of the fixture have gone to penalties, including the sides' most recent encounter in 2023.
The match serves as a warm-up for the new Premier League season, which begins on Friday, August 21, when Arsenal host newly promoted Coventry at the Emirates.
Based on reporting from Standard Sport and The Independent.