FA Community Shield

The FA Community Shield is an annual football match in England, played between the previous season’s Premier League champions and the FA Cup winners. Held at Wembley Stadium, it marks the start of the top-flight season and raises funds for community and charitable projects.

• Annual match between Premier League and FA Cup winners
• Held at Wembley Stadium in London
• Proceeds support community and charitable causes
• First played in 1908
• If one team wins both, league runners-up take part

What it is

The FA Community Shield is a high-profile football match that signals the beginning of the English football season. Each year, it brings together the winners of the Premier League and the FA Cup for a single contest, or, if one team has won both, the league runners-up. Organised by the Football Association, the event is not just a sporting fixture but also a charitable occasion, with proceeds distributed to clubs and nominated causes across the country. While some see it as a friendly prelude to the season, others value it as the first official trophy up for grabs, making it a unique blend of competition and community spirit.

Where it comes from

The Community Shield began in 1908, taking over from the Sheriff of London Charity Shield, which had pitted professional and amateur teams against each other. Early editions saw a variety of formats, including matches between league champions and amateur sides. By 1930, the contest settled into its familiar form, featuring the league champions against the FA Cup winners. Over the years, the Shield has adapted to changes in English football, including the creation of the Premier League in 1992. In 2002, the event was renamed from the Charity Shield to the Community Shield, reflecting a renewed focus on supporting local initiatives and transparency in charitable giving.

How it is celebrated

On match day, Wembley Stadium fills with fans from both competing clubs, creating an energetic and colorful atmosphere. The event is broadcast widely, and supporters gather to witness the first clash of top teams for the new season. The game follows standard football rules, with a few tweaks: teams can make up to six substitutions, and if the score is tied after 90 minutes, a penalty shootout decides the winner. The Shield itself is presented to the victors, and both winners and runners-up receive specially crafted medals. Beyond the action on the pitch, the event’s proceeds are shared among FA Cup clubs, each nominating charities or community projects to benefit, making the day significant for both football and wider society.

Joining in

Visitors can experience the Community Shield at Wembley Stadium, the traditional venue since the 1970s. Expect a lively crowd, passionate singing, and a mix of anticipation and celebration as fans welcome the new season. Tickets are typically available through the competing clubs and the FA, and the event is suitable for families and newcomers to English football. Arriving early allows you to soak up the pre-match buzz, enjoy food and drink, and see the trophy presentation up close. Whether you support a team or just love the game, it’s a chance to witness English football’s curtain-raiser in its most iconic setting.

Sources and attribution

This page is Mela's own summary, written in new words. Its facts are drawn from the Wikipedia article FA Community Shield, whose text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Each photo is credited to its author beside it. For the full account, read the originals below.

Read more

• FA Community Shield on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Official websiteOfficial site
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data

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