FA Community Shield Relocated from Wembley to Cardiff

Community Shield moved to Cardiff's principality stadium

The FA Community Shield will be staged at Cardiff's Principality Stadium on August 16 due to Wembley Stadium's unavailability for The Weeknd concerts.

Community Shield relocated to Cardiff's Principality Stadium, marking the first time the event will...

The FA Community Shield is heading to Cardiff's Principality Stadium in August, after Wembley Stadium became unavailable due to a series of concerts by Canadian pop star The Weeknd. The stadium clash led to the Football Association announcing the change, with the Principality Stadium hosting the match between the Premier League champions and FA Cup winners on August 16.

The Principality Stadium, which has a capacity of over 74,000, has previously hosted the Community Shield six times between 2001 and 2006 during Wembley's redevelopment. While some fans welcomed the decision, citing Cardiff as a great sporting venue, others questioned the need to stage the fixture outside England, raising concerns over travel and accommodation costs.

The Premier League season kicks off over the weekend of August 22, with the Community Shield taking place on August 16. This sets the stage for an exciting season ahead.

The Community Shield will be played at the home of Welsh rugby for the first time since 2006, making it a unique venue for the annual curtain-raiser. 

“We are absolutely delighted to be welcoming the FA Community Shield back to Principality Stadium,” said Gavin Marshall, chief financial and operating officer of the Welsh Rugby Union.

“This fixture has a special place in the stadium's history ⁠and to be hosting it again for the first time in 20 years is a tremendously proud moment for everyone here.”

The Principality Stadium in Cardiff, with a capacity of over 74,000, will host the Community Shield on August 16. It's previously hosted the event six times between 2001 and 2006 during Wembley's redevelopment.

The 2026 #CommunityShield will take place at Principality Stadium on Sunday 16 August 🏟️

Find out more below 🔗

— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) March 23, 2026

The move to Cardiff might impact revenue, as Wembley's 90,000-seat capacity and national stadium status offer more match-day income and hospitality opportunities. 

The decision's got mixed reactions from fans. Some love it, calling Cardiff “one of the best sporting venue,” while others are wondering why it can't be in England, citing travel and accommodation costs as concerns. 

“What's the point of having it in a different UEFA member nation?... They should have had it at different ⁠locations around England,” ⁠a fan posted on ‌X.