Sam Barrott will take charge of the 2026 Community Shield when Arsenal face Manchester City at Cardiff's Principality Stadium, with the fixture marking the first time the traditional season opener has been held outside England since 2006.

Wembley Stadium's unavailability prompted the move to Wales, returning the curtain-raiser to a venue that hosted six consecutive editions between 2001 and 2006 while the London ground underwent reconstruction.

Arsenal and Manchester City meet again

The match brings together two clubs whose rivalry has intensified over recent seasons. Arsenal claimed the Premier League title last term — ending a 22-year drought — while Manchester City lifted the FA Cup after defeating Chelsea in the final.

Barrott's record this season

Barrott, 32, has officiated in the Premier League since the 2023/24 season. Last term he oversaw 30 matches in English football, accumulating 107 bookings — an average of 3.5 per game — and one red card, shown to Sunderland's Reinildo Mandava in a 1-1 draw with Aston Villa in September.

Five of those assignments involved Arsenal, with Mikel Arteta's side winning four. The exception was a 2-1 FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Championship side Southampton in April, which Barrott also refereed.

He took charge of three Manchester City matches: a 2-1 Premier League loss to Newcastle United, a 3-1 FA Cup victory over Newcastle United, and a 2-0 Carabao Cup win against Brentford.

Barrott also refereed this summer's Under 19 European Championship final in Wales, where Spain beat Germany 2-0 to claim the title.

Full officiating team

Craig Taylor and Blake Antrobus will serve as assistant referees, with Farai Hallam as fourth official. James Bell will operate the VAR system, supported by Tim Wood.