Because of the concert, Wembley is not available to confirm the new location for the Community Shield.
The 2026 Community Shield will be played at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium for the first time in 20 years due to match clashes with dates for The Weekend’s visit to Wembley.
The match between the Premier League champions and FA Cup winners is traditionally played at Wembley, but the FA revealed the iconic stadium is unavailable on August 15 and 16 “due to previously planned concerts”.
The Weeknd will perform five dates at Wembley.
The Weeknd will perform five dates at Wembley between August 14 and 19, with “The Home of Football” chosen for the London performance.
The forced change has returned the Community Shield to a venue that hosted six editions between 2001 and 2006 while the new-look Wembley was under construction.
“We are delighted to welcome the FA Community Shield back to the Principality Stadium,” said Welsh Rugby Union Chief Financial and Operating Officer Gavin Marshall. “This fixture has a special place in the stadium’s history and to host it for the first time in 20 years is a very proud moment for everyone here.
“Principality Stadium has built its reputation on delivering world-class events and creating truly special occasions for fans, and this match is no different.
“We know from experience what an atmosphere this stadium creates when it is at capacity, and we are fully committed to ensuring that supporters of both clubs have an unforgettable experience on August 16. It was made for just such an occasion, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone to Cardiff.”
Liverpool and Arsenal both won two titles during the six-year fixture in the Welsh capital, while Manchester United and Chelsea also won in 2003 and 2005, respectively.
The 74,500-capacity Principality Stadium will also host the opening match of Euro 2028, hosted by England, the Republic of Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Since returning to Wembley in 2007, the Community Shield has moved twice – in 2012 due to the Olympics and to the King Power Stadium in 2022 as the National Stadium hosted the final of the Women’s European Championship, which the Lionesses won.
Scheduled for Sunday, August 16, the “curtain raiser” week of the season will take place a week before the start of the Premier League campaign on the weekend of August 22.
