Arsenal and Manchester City will meet in the Community Shield on August 16, but not at Wembley Stadium. The traditional venue is unavailable due to concerts and a delayed Premier League season.
Why the venue change?
The 2026 Community Shield will be played at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. Kick-off is confirmed for 3pm BST on Sunday, August 16, 2026.
The Football Association confirmed: “Due to alterations to the 2026-27 football calendar, next season’s Premier League will begin over the weekend of Saturday 22 August, and Wembley Stadium connected by EE is unavailable on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 August due to pre-planned concerts.”
Concerts and calendar clash
Canadian pop star The Weeknd has booked five nights at Wembley, between August 14 and 19, for his After Hours Til Dawn Tour. The start of the next Premier League season has also been delayed by one week, partly due to an extended 2026 World Cup.
Wembley Stadium currently has no events booked for the weekend prior, when the Community Shield would normally be held.
Historic venue
The 73,931-capacity Principality Stadium, formerly known as the Millennium Stadium, hosted five Community Shields on the spin between 2001 and 2006, two of which were won by Arsenal.
