The “After Hours Til Dawn” tour will occupy the stadium from August 14 to 19, forcing this traditional fixture to move to a different venue on this occasion. However, this is not the first time this has happened.

As a recent example, in 2022, Leicester’s King Power Stadium hosted the match because Wembley Stadium was being used for the UEFA Women’s Euros final. In 2012, Villa Park also served as the venue for the FA Community Shield due to the London 2012 Olympic Games, which made the traditional venue unavailable.

The most recent FA Community Shield final

The 2025 FA Community Shield was contested between Premier League champions Liverpool and FA Cup winners Crystal Palace on August 10, 2025, at Wembley Stadium. After a thrilling 2–2 draw in regulation time, where Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong scored for Liverpool while Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaïla Sarr responded for Palace, the match went straight to a penalty shootout.

Crystal Palace ultimately prevailed 3–2 on penalties, with Justin Devenny converting the decisive spot-kick to secure the Eagles’ first-ever FA Community Shield trophy.

The first trophy of the season

To kick off the 2026–27 campaign, reigning Premier League champions Arsenal will battle Manchester City for the season’s first piece of silverware in the FA Community Shield. While Mikel Arteta’s Gunners aim to extend their strong record in this traditional curtain-raiser, Manchester City enter the match under the guidance of a new manager Enzo Maresca, marking a fresh tactical era as both English giants pursue early momentum.

The stadium has an approximate capacity of 74,500 spectators, and a sold-out crowd is expected, with supporters of both the Gunners and the Citizens filling the stands. The venue is normally used by the Welsh rugby and football national teams.

Between 2001 and 2006, Wembley Stadium was demolished and rebuilt, so the FA Community Shield matches were moved to the Principality Stadium. Now, 20 years later, the trophy will once again be contested there.

Arsenal hold the advantage over City in the FA Community Shield

Arsenal and Manchester City have faced each other three times in the FA Community Shield, with the Gunners holding a perfect record by lifting the trophy on all three occasions. Their first encounter dates back to 1934, when Arsenal secured a dominant 4–0 victory at Highbury.

Decades later, they met again at Wembley Stadium in 2014, where Arsenal claimed a comfortable 3–0 win with goals from Santi Cazorla, Aaron Ramsey, and Olivier Giroud. Their most recent clash took place in 2023, when Leandro Trossard’s dramatic 101st-minute equalizer canceled out Cole Palmer’s opener, sending the match to a penalty shootout that Arsenal won 4–1.

The most successful team

When it comes to overall FA Community Shield success, Manchester United lead the all-time standings with 21 titles. Arsenal sit firmly in second place as one of the competition’s most dominant sides with 17 trophies, boasting an exceptional track record that includes three head-to-head victories over Manchester City.

By contrast, the Citizens lag considerably behind with 7 titles, reflecting the dramatic historical gap between both clubs in England’s traditional season-opener.

How to watch Arsenal vs Manchester City in the USA

Arsenal vs. Manchester City will be available in the United States through ESPN and ESPN Deportes. For viewers who prefer streaming, the game can be watched through ESPN+, the ESPN App and Fubo.

Can I watch Arsenal vs Manchester City for free?

Yes! Fubo offers a 5-day free-trial option that can be used to watch Arsenal vs. Manchester City without paying upfront. The platform currently advertises a free trial for eligible new subscribers.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

Arsenal and Manchester City will meet for the first piece of silverware of the 2026-27 English season when they face each other at Principality Stadium.

Arsenal qualified as the reigning Premier League champions after ending a 22-year wait for the league title, while Manchester City earned their place by winning the 2026 FA Cup.

The Community Shield therefore offers more than a preseason test. Both clubs enter the match with an opportunity to begin the new campaign with a trophy, and both managers have stressed that the occasion should be treated as a competitive final.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said his squad is highly motivated and wants to start the season by lifting the trophy, while Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca described the game as a final and insisted it is “no friendly”.

The match is particularly significant for Maresca, who will take charge of Manchester City in a competitive fixture for the first time following Pep Guardiola‘s departure.

The former Chelsea and Leicester manager has the chance to claim his first trophy with City immediately, although his squad enters the game with uncertainty surrounding several players.

Arsenal vs Manchester City: Predicted Lineups

Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Kepa Arrizabalaga; Riccardo Calafiori, Gabriel Magalhaes, Yerson Mosquera, Ben White; Myles Lewis-Skelly, Martin Zubimendi; Christos Tzolis, Martin Odegaard, Noni Madueke; Viktor Gyokeres.

Manchester City (4-2-3-1): Gianluigi Donnarumma; Josko Gvardiol, Ruben Dias, Abdukodir Khusanov, Matheus Nunes; Tijjani Reijnders, Mateo Kovacic; Antoine Semenyo, Phil Foden, Savinho; Erling Haaland.

What time is the Arsenal vs Manchester City match?

The Arsenal vs. Manchester City match kicks off on Sunday, August 16, at 10:00 AM ET. The FA has confirmed a 3:00 PM BST start at Principality Stadium in Cardiff. For viewers across the United States, here are the local start times:

• Eastern Time: 10:00 AM
• Central Time: 9:00 AM
• Mountain Time: 8:00 AM
• Pacific Time: 7:00 AM

The last time this situation happened was in 2012. Aston Villa’s homeground the Villa Park hosted the 2012 FA Community Shield between Manchester City and Chelsea. In that opportunity, the Citizens won over the London teamto lifttheir fourth Community Shield title.

The2012 London Summer Olympics were the reason why thatcrucialgame was moved out from Wembley Stadium. Thisiconic stadium was used for six games of the football tournamentfor the Olympics including the finals between Brazil and Mexico for the gold medal.

Whyis Liverpool vs Manchester City for the 2022 FA Community Shield held at the King Power Stadium?

Despite theMen’s footballseasonin Englandwas over months ago, there is amajorfootball tournament being heldat the United Kingdom. This tournament is theUEFA2022Women’s Euro. Therefore, the best stadiums in England arehosting these important matchups.

But youarestillwondering why is this important. It is becauseon Sunday, July 31, 2022 the 2022 UEFA Women’s Euro final will be heldat the iconic Wembley Stadium, as it should be. Therefore, this means the2022 FA Community Shield had to be transferred to another location. So, the FA decided to held this first decisive gameof the season at the King Power Stadium, home of Leicester City.

There were at least three other options for the FA to stay in London for theofficialstart of the 2022-23 English football season. Those options were the Emirates Stadium, home of Arsenal and the West Ham’s homeground London Stadium. AlsoLeeds United’s Elland Road and Villa Parkhome of Aston Villa applied to held this decisive matchup.

Liverpoolstarted their preseason after a few weeks of vacation from their loss in the Champions League final. The team managed by Jurgen Klopp had a preseason tour all over Europe whiletheir new players started to build up chemistry on the pitch.

While Manchester City finished off last season with a big Premier League celebration for thenew trophy lifted. The team managed by Pep Guardiola alsodid a preseason tour. It wasonUS soil against big clubs like Bayern and Club America.

Liverpool vs Manchester City: Date

The FA Cup Champions Liverpool will face the Premier League ChampionsManchester City at the King Power Stadium today, July 30, 2022 at 12:00 PM (ET). This matchup will be for the 2022 Community Shield, the first trophy of the 2022-23 English football season.

Liverpool vs Manchester City: Time by State in the US

ET: 12:00 PM
CT: 11:00 AM
MT: 10:00 AM
PT: 9:00 AM

How to watch Liverpool vs Manchester City in the US

The 2022 Community Shieldmatchup between FA Cup ChampionsLiverpooland Premier League ChampionsManchester City will be played on Saturday, July 30, 2022 at 12:00 PM (ET). It is going tobe available to watch on ESPN+for the United States.