Community Shield: Dates, teams, venues, history & more

The Community Shield is often described as the 'curtain raiser' to the new domestic English season, which normally takes place the week before the Premier League starts.

The prestigious game usually sees the Premier League winners from the previous season go head-to-head against the FA Cup winners.

In the event of the same team winning both competitions, as occurred when Manchester City won the treble in the 2022/23 season, the Premier League runners-up will be the opponents.

Community Shield teams

The Community Shield that is set to open the 2025/26 season will feature Premier League champions Liverpool and FA Cup winners Crystal Palace.

Community Shield dates

The match is generally held the week before the start of the new Premier League season and in 2025/26 the clash will take place on 10th August.

The kick off time is due to be at 15:00 (BST).

Community Shield venues/stadiums

Wembley is the modern-day home of the season curtain raiser, although many other grounds were used from 1908 until 1973, including Villa Park, Stamford Bridge and Old Trafford.

Due to a clash with the Women’s European Championship, the match between Manchester City and Liverpool in 2022 took place at the King Power Stadium in Leicester. 

The national stadium began hosting the match, which used to be called the Charity Shield, back in 1974.

Community Shield how to watch

The one-off clash is normally televised live and in 2025 it will be shown on ITV1 and on STV for viewers in Scotland.

Community Shield history

The Community Shield first took place back in 1908, with Manchester United and Queens Park Rangers playing in the inaugural match.

This year's meeting between Manchester City and rivals Manchester United will be the 102nd edition of the fixture.

For the first 65 years, the game was played at a variety of club venues until Wembley first hosted in 1974, when Liverpool and Leeds United went head-to-head.

Cardiff's Millennium Stadium was used when Wembley was being rebuilt, between 2001 and 2006, while Villa Park was the venue for Manchester City v Chelsea in 2012. That game was moved due to Wembley hosting the final of the Olympics' football tournament.

The annual fixture returns to the national stadium this year, affording the opportunity for more fans to attend.

Most wins of the Community Shield

Manchester United, who won the inaugural shield after a replay, have won the Community Shield on 21 occasions - more than any other club.

Arsenal and Liverpool are the joint-second most successful teams in Community Shield history, with 16 victories each.

Manchester City made their 16th appearance in 2024, with the Citizens having lifted the shield on seven previous occasions.