The Football Association has announced that the Community Shield will be held at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff in August due to a scheduling conflict at Wembley.
For the first time since 20 years, the season-opening fixture will head to Wales.
When known as the Millennium Stadium, the venue hosted the Community Shield – back when it was called the Charity Shield – between 2001 and 2006. The fixture has since visited both Villa Park and Leicester’s King Power Stadium, but has predominantly been played at Wembley.
However, a scheduling clash has left the FA with no option but to look elsewhere for a neutral venue. That is because Wembley is hosting five nights of concerts by The Weeknd from August 14 – 19.
Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace lifts the 2025 FA Community Shield. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
The FA’s statement reads: “The Welsh national stadium has a rich history of hosting major football events, including the FA Community Shield on six occasions between 2001 and 2006, and it provides a neutral venue for the competing clubs as well as one of the largest capacities in the United Kingdom for fans to attend.
“Further details about the 2026 FA Community Shield, which sees the winner of the Emirates FA Cup take on the Premier League champions, will be announced at the earliest possible opportunity following the conclusion of the 2025-26 football season.”
With this summer’s World Cup set to be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada, Wembley is using the summer to cash in on concerts, hosting 12 nights of Harry Styles, five of The Weeknd, as well as gigs by My Chemical Romance, Bruno Mars and Bon Jovi after the end of the football.
FA Cup holders Crystal Palace won the last Community Shield, beating Liverpool on penalties after a 2-2 draw on August 10 at Wembley.
