Community Shield (England) 2026/27

The FA Community Shield serves as the curtain-raiser for the English football season, contested annually in August at Wembley Stadium. It operates as a domestic Super Cup, pitting the winners of the previous season's Premier League against the holders of the FA Cup. Should a side secure the Double, they instead face the Premier League runners-up. The fixture traces its origins to the 1908–09 season, established by The Football Association after the Sheriff of London Charity Shield was discontinued. Originally termed the FA Charity Shield, the title was updated in 2002 following a Charity Commission ruling concerning fund distribution, although it remains a non-commercial entity.

The match is a single 90-minute encounter. A distinctive feature of the game is the allowance of six substitutions, a rule designed to accommodate squad management during the pre-season period. If the contest ends level after regular time, it proceeds directly to a penalty shootout. The competition was an early adopter of the ABBA penalty format, intended to mitigate the advantage of kicking first. Between 1949 and 1991, drawn matches resulted in the trophy being shared rather than decided by penalties, a practice that ceased in 1993.

The competition does not count towards league or cup records. Manchester United holds the record for the most victories with 21 titles, comprising 17 outright wins and four shared honours. Arsenal follows in second place with 18 titles, while Liverpool has secured 16, including five shared instances. Everton has won the contest nine times. In the 2025 edition, Crystal Palace claimed the trophy by defeating Liverpool 3–2 on penalties after a 2–2 draw. Manchester City won the preceding 2024 edition against Manchester United. The fixture maintains its status as an official pre-season event with unique regulatory structures distinct from other domestic competitions.