Arsenal and Manchester City will meet on Sunday in the Community Shield, the traditional curtain-raiser for the English football season. The Gunners won their first Premier League title since 2004 last season, while City triumphed in the FA Cup and finished as runners-up in the league. It is the second time in three years the two sides have contested the Community Shield, with Arsenal winning the last encounter on penalties.
No Financial Reward on Offer
Unlike other domestic cup competitions, there is no financial prize for the clubs involved in the Community Shield. The main reward is pride, with no boost to either team's transfer budget.
Purpose and Beneficiaries
The fixture offers teams a competitive match ahead of the new season and a conclusion to pre-season preparations. Funds raised from ticket sales and television revenue are split between charities and redistributed across the football pyramid.
Venue and Coverage
This year's match will not be played at Wembley but at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, as Wembley is hosting a concert. The last time the Community Shield was held away from Wembley was in 2022, when Liverpool beat City at Leicester's King Power Stadium. In the UK, the match will be shown on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate.
If the match ends in a draw after 90 minutes, a penalty shootout will determine the winner. The previous three Community Shields have been decided this way.
