The 2025 Community Shield will be played at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Sunday, 16 August — marking the first time the fixture has left England since 2006. Arsenal, crowned Premier League champions, face FA Cup holders Manchester City in what promises to be an electric curtain-raiser to the domestic season.
Why Cardiff instead of Wembley?
The reason for the switch is straightforward: Wembley Stadium is unavailable. Pop superstar The Weeknd is playing the third of five consecutive sold-out shows at the national stadium on the same date, leaving organisers with no choice but to relocate the match across the border into Wales.
Since Wembley reopened in 2007, the Community Shield has only twice been played away from the famous arch. In 2012, the fixture moved to Villa Park while the stadium served as an Olympic football venue during the London 2012 Games — City defeating Chelsea 3-2 on that occasion. Then in 2022, Liverpool beat City 3-1 at Leicester City's King Power Stadium, with Wembley committed to hosting the Women's Euro 2022 final between England and Germany the following day.
A return to familiar ground
Before Wembley's reconstruction, the Principality Stadium — then known as the Millennium Stadium — hosted the Community Shield for six straight years, from 2001 to 2006. The last edition played in Cardiff saw Liverpool claim a 2-1 victory over Chelsea in August 2006. Peter Crouch netted a late winner that day after Andriy Shevchenko had cancelled out John Arne Riise's opener.
For Arsenal supporters, the Welsh capital carries warm memories. The Gunners won three FA Cup finals at the Millennium Stadium: a 2-0 triumph over Chelsea in 2002 as part of a league-and-cup Double, a 1-0 win against Southampton in 2003, and a penalty shootout victory over Manchester United in 2005 following a goalless draw after extra time.
The current holders
Crystal Palace arrive at Cardiff as the reigning Community Shield holders. The south London club lifted the trophy 12 months ago by beating Liverpool 3-2 on penalties after a 2-2 draw — a triumph that followed their 2025 FA Cup victory. Palace will not be involved in this year's edition, however, as Arsenal and Manchester City contest the fixture as the two most recent major trophy winners.
