FA Community Shield
The FA Community Shield is an annual association football match contested as a single fixture between the champions of the Premier League and the winners of the FA Cup from the previous season, serving as the traditional curtain-raiser to the English domestic football campaign.[1][2] Organized by The Football Association (The FA), the match has been held at Wembley Stadium since 1974 and is typically scheduled for early August, drawing large crowds and providing an early competitive test for the season's title contenders.[3][2] Originally known as the Charity Shield, the competition traces its origins to 1908, evolving from the earlier Sheriff of London Shield that pitted professional teams against amateurs; Manchester United claimed the inaugural title with a 4-0 victory over Queens Park Rangers.[3] It was renamed the FA Community Shield in 2002 to better reflect its emphasis on supporting community initiatives, with proceeds from ticket sales, broadcasting rights, and sponsorships distributed to charities and grassroots football projects across England.[3][2] Beneficiaries include the London Borough of Brent's community programs, the EFL's community trusts, the Alzheimer's Society, and organizations like The Felix Project, which has received support to deliver over 124,000 meals in recent years.[2] In the event of a draw after 90 minutes, the match is decided by a penalty shootout since 1993, ensuring a definitive winner; prior to that, the shield was shared in tied contests.[3] If one team achieves a double by winning both the Premier League and FA Cup, the runners-up in the league contest the shield instead, maintaining competitive balance.[1] The competition holds symbolic prestige as English football's earliest silverware of the season, though it is often viewed as a prestige match rather than a major trophy, with Manchester United holding the record for most victories at 21 (including shared titles).[3] The 2025 edition, won by Crystal Palace on penalties against Liverpool, exemplified its role in highlighting emerging contenders early in the campaign.[3]History
Origins and establishment
The Sheriff of London Charity Shield was established in 1898 by Sir Thomas Dewar, the Sheriff of London at the time, with the aim of raising funds for London hospitals through an annual match between the season's top professional football team and the leading amateur side.[4] The trophy, standing over six feet tall and the largest ever commissioned for a football competition, symbolized the charitable intent while highlighting the divide between professional and amateur players in English football.[4] The inaugural match took place on 19 March 1898 at Crystal Palace, where Corinthian FC (amateurs) drew 0–0 with Sheffield United (professionals); the replay on 4 April 1898 at Crystal Palace ended 1–1, resulting in a shared title.[5] This format persisted through 1907, with notable victories including Sunderland's 3–0 win over Corinthian in 1903 and Newcastle United's 5–2 triumph against the same opponents in the final edition at Craven Cottage on 9 March 1907, generating proceeds for charitable causes.[5][4] In 1908, the Football Association assumed control of the competition, rebranding it the FA Charity Shield and shifting the focus from professionals versus amateurs to a contest between the Football League champions and the Southern League champions, marking a move toward recognizing league success over player status.[3] The debut FA Charity Shield occurred on 27 April 1908 at Stamford Bridge, ending in a 1–1 draw between Manchester United and Queens Park Rangers, with United securing a 4–0 victory in the replay on 29 August 1908 at the same venue before a crowd of 6,000.[6] Early iterations were irregular, often scheduled mid-season or as end-of-campaign fixtures rather than consistent pre-season events, and not held annually—skipping 1911 and suspended from 1914 to 1919 due to the First World War.[5][3] Key early winners under the new structure included Newcastle United, who defeated Northampton Town 2–0 at Stamford Bridge on 28 April 1909, and Brighton & Hove Albion, who edged Aston Villa 1–0 on 5 September 1910 at Stamford Bridge.[5] A temporary return to the professionals-versus-amateurs concept occurred in 1913, with a select professionals' XI beating the amateurs 7–2 at The Den on 6 October 1913.[5] By the early 1920s, the competition stabilized, with the 1921 edition introducing the enduring format of pitting the Football League champions against the FA Cup winners; Burnley (league champions) lost 2–0 to Tottenham Hotspur (cup winners) at White Hart Lane on 16 May 1921, establishing a precedent that would define the shield's structure through the decade.[7][5]Format evolution and key changes
The FA Community Shield transitioned to an annual event in 1926, establishing it as a consistent pre-season fixture between the Football League champions and FA Cup winners, a format that marked a shift from the irregular contests of the preceding years.[5] This change solidified its role as the traditional curtain-raiser to the English football season, replacing earlier sporadic arrangements that had included matches between professionals and amateurs or other ad hoc pairings.[3] The competition maintained this annual structure until its suspension from 1939 to 1945 due to World War II, during which official matches were halted, though isolated charity exhibitions occurred without awarding the Shield.[5] In the post-war era, the format saw refinements to handle ties and eligibility. Draws were historically resolved through replays in rare cases, such as the inaugural 1908 match, but by the mid-20th century, tied games typically resulted in shared possession of the trophy between the teams for six months each.[3] This practice persisted until 1974, when the introduction of penalty shootouts at Wembley Stadium provided a decisive outcome for the first time, as seen in Liverpool's 6-5 victory over Leeds United after a 1-1 draw.[3] The practice of sharing persisted until 1991; from 1993 onward, penalty shootouts became the standard resolution for draws after 90 minutes, eliminating shared titles entirely and ensuring a sole winner without extra time.[3][7] The 1970s and 1980s brought further adjustments to eligibility amid frequent doubles by dominant clubs. When a team achieves both the league title and FA Cup in the same season, the Shield pits that double winner against the FA Cup runners-up, a rule that maintained competitiveness and has endured to the present day; notable examples include Arsenal's participation in 1971 after their 1970-71 double, though they declined, leading to an alternative matchup between Leicester City and Liverpool.[5] These decades also elevated the event's prestige through its relocation to Wembley in 1974, transforming it from a variable-venue charity game into a high-profile season opener.[3] Following the creation of the Premier League in 1992, the Shield's format stabilized further, retaining the champions-versus-cup-winners (or runners-up) structure while emphasizing its pre-season timing. Wembley remained the primary venue from 1974 onward, hosting consistently except during the stadium's 2001–2006 renovations, when matches shifted to the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff—such as the 2006 clash between Liverpool and Chelsea.[3] Recent protocols allow for neutral alternatives if Wembley is unavailable, as demonstrated by the 2012 fixture at Villa Park and the 2022 game at King Power Stadium due to scheduling conflicts.[3] In 2025, the Shield featured FA Cup winners Crystal Palace against Premier League champions Liverpool at Wembley, underscoring the format's continuity into the modern era.[8]Format and Rules
Qualification and participating teams
The FA Community Shield is contested annually between the winners of the Premier League and the Emirates FA Cup from the preceding season, serving as English football's traditional season opener.[3] This format ensures representation from both the top-flight league champions and the leading knockout cup victors, both of which are drawn exclusively from top-tier English clubs, with no provision for qualification from lower divisions.[9] In cases where a single club achieves the domestic double by winning both competitions, the double winners face the runners-up from the Premier League to fill the second spot.[1] For instance, in the 2023 edition, Manchester City, who secured both the Premier League title and the FA Cup, competed against Arsenal, the Premier League runners-up. In 2024, exceptionally, Manchester City faced Manchester United, the FA Cup runners-up, in a rematch of the FA Cup final, which ended 1–1 before City prevailed 7–6 on penalties. This standard approach maintains competitive balance, with historical exceptions limited to elite-level clubs. The modern qualification criteria have been standardized since 1992, following the establishment of the Premier League, though historical exceptions existed prior to this period. Before 1921, the competition—then known as the Charity Shield—pitted professional league champions against amateur representatives, such as Southern League or Football League sides versus the Football Association Amateur Cup winners.[3] During wartime interruptions, particularly from 1915 to 1919 and 1939 to 1945, the event was either suspended or adapted into benefit matches without formal qualification tied to league or cup outcomes.[3] Post-1992 rules, however, have consistently limited entry to elite-level clubs as outlined.Match procedures and regulations
The FA Community Shield is contested as a single 90-minute match between the winners of the Premier League and the FA Cup, adhering to the standard Laws of the Game as governed by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), with each team fielding 11 players. The match is played on a neutral venue, typically Wembley Stadium, with kick-off scheduled at 3:00 PM BST to align with traditional British summer scheduling for major fixtures.[10] There are no replays; if the scores are level after 90 minutes, the winner is determined directly by a penalty shoot-out following IFAB procedures, without extra time.[11] Match officials, including the referee, assistants, fourth official, and video assistant referee (VAR), are appointed by The Football Association (FA) from the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) pool, which primarily consists of Premier League referees to ensure consistency with top-flight standards.[12] VAR technology has been utilized since the 2019 edition, operating under the same protocols as in the Premier League, including reviews for goals, penalties, red cards, and mistaken identity.[13] Goal-line technology is also employed when available at the venue.[14] Player eligibility is limited to those properly registered with the participating clubs under FA rules, with no additional restrictions beyond standard suspensions or injuries; full matchday squads are permitted.[14] Each team may name up to nine substitutes on the bench, from which a maximum of six can be used during the match, including during the penalty shoot-out if needed, to provide flexibility in squad management.[11] Half-time intervals last up to 15 minutes, and teams proceed onto the field 10 minutes before kick-off as per FA protocols.[15]Trophy and Presentation
Design and symbolism
The FA Community Shield trophy is a silver shield-shaped plaque mounted on a wooden base, crafted from sterling silver. It features engravings of all winners' names dating back to its inaugural contest in 1908. The design emphasizes elegance and historical continuity, with the shield's surface bearing the Football Association emblem and intricate detailing that highlights its status as a prestigious award in English football.[16] The trophy dates to the inaugural 1908 Charity Shield, evolving from the earlier Sheriff of London Charity Shield, which was a much larger, six-foot-tall structure donated in 1898. In 2016, the FA's official silverware supplier, Thomas Lyte (appointed in 2021), restored and rebuilt the original 1908 Shield to mark the 50th anniversary of England's 1966 FIFA World Cup victory.[3][17] This evolution reflects the competition's transition from a charitable fixture to a modern symbol of seasonal renewal, while preserving the core shield motif to honor its heritage.[18] Symbolically, the trophy embodies the charitable origins of the competition, with all proceeds from the match directed toward community funds, hospitals, and grassroots football initiatives—a tradition stemming from its establishment as a fundraiser in the early 20th century. It also represents supremacy in English football, awarded to the champions of the Premier League and FA Cup, signifying dominance over the nation's top domestic honors. Unlike major league trophies, there is no monetary prize for the winners, underscoring its role as a ceremonial keepsake rather than a commercial asset.[3][19]Awarding and traditions
The awarding ceremony for the FA Community Shield typically takes place immediately after the final whistle at Wembley Stadium, where the winning captain lifts the trophy pitchside amid celebrations with teammates and supporters. This moment is followed by brief speeches from Football Association (FA) officials, including acknowledgments of the participants and the event's charitable contributions.[20][2] Winners are entitled to hold the trophy for one calendar year, until the next edition, during which it is displayed at the club's facilities and used in promotional activities. Proceeds from ticket sales and related revenues are directed toward community initiatives, with recent fixtures generating hundreds of thousands of pounds for charitable causes, though exact figures vary annually based on attendance and sponsorship.[21][22] Established traditions enhance the event's ceremonial nature, including the pre-match playing of the national anthem, "God Save the King," which has occasionally drawn boos from certain fan groups due to historical and political sentiments. Teams often debut their new season kits during the match, marking it as the traditional curtain-raiser to the English football campaign, with players lining up on the pitch before kickoff and half-time featuring entertainment such as performances or tributes.[23][24][25] The charity aspect remains central, with funds supporting grassroots football projects, community programs, and organizations like the EFL in the Community and Alzheimer’s Society; historically, the competition evolved from the Sheriff of London Charity Shield, where proceeds directly aided hospitals and welfare causes in early 20th-century London.[2][3] In the 2025 edition, Crystal Palace's victory over Liverpool was celebrated with dedicated fan zones at Wembley, including activities on the west side for Palace supporters, fostering community engagement ahead of the trophy lift. Youth involvement was highlighted through pre- and post-match initiatives, such as player interactions with local students to inspire young fans.[26][27][28]Status and Significance
Competitive prestige
The FA Community Shield has been recognized as England's domestic super cup since 1921, when the format was established to contest the trophy between the Football League champions and the FA Cup winners, serving as a curtain-raiser to the new season.[3][29] This positions it as the national equivalent to the UEFA Super Cup, pitting the previous season's top domestic titleholders against each other in an official competitive fixture organized by The Football Association.[29][7] While the Shield holds official status as an FA honor, it is often perceived by some managers and observers as a low-stakes preseason encounter, akin to a high-profile friendly, due to squad rotations, player rests, and its timing early in the campaign.[29] For instance, in the lead-up to the 2023 edition, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola emphasized its role as the first official game but noted the challenges of injuries and preparation, downplaying its intensity compared to league or cup competitions.[29] Despite such views, victories contribute to a club's official honors and can form part of broader achievement narratives. The match's prestige is underscored by strong public interest, with average attendances exceeding 70,000 at Wembley Stadium in recent years, reflecting its appeal as a marquee event featuring elite clubs.[30] UK television viewership typically averages between 2 and 3 million, bolstered by free-to-air broadcasts in some seasons and its role in building season anticipation.[3] Debates persist regarding its standing among major trophies, with not all clubs uniformly emphasizing it in their official tallies of significant achievements. Arsenal, for example, officially recognizes their 17 Community Shield wins (including one shared) as part of their honors list, highlighting its value despite the fixture's occasional dismissal as secondary.[31][29]Cultural and commercial impact
The FA Community Shield serves as the traditional curtain-raiser to the English football season, symbolizing the start of a new campaign and generating significant excitement among fans despite its preseason timing.[29] As a one-off competitive fixture pitting the Premier League champions against the FA Cup winners, it fosters a sense of unity and sportsmanship within the football community, drawing families to stadiums and pubs for a celebratory atmosphere akin to a cup final.[32][33] Broadcasting of the match has evolved to enhance its global accessibility, with the 2025 edition airing live on TNT Sports in the United Kingdom, marking a shift from previous free-to-air coverage on ITV.[11][34] This partnership extends to international audiences through FA collaborations, including exclusive streaming on ESPN+ in the United States, allowing fans worldwide to engage with the event.[35] The competition's sponsorship history reflects its charitable roots, remaining largely unsponsored until the early 2000s, with the name change from "Charity Shield" to "FA Community Shield" in 2002 prompted by regulatory requirements to specify exact charitable distributions, instead emphasizing broader community benefits.[3][36] The current branding underscores social contributions, though occasional title sponsorships, such as McDonald's in 2021, have appeared without dominating the event's identity. Economically, the Shield generates hundreds of thousands of pounds annually through ticket sales, match programmes, and related revenues, which are redistributed to support community initiatives and lower-tier FA Cup clubs.[22] For instance, the 2006 edition raised £880,000, with £5,000 allocated to each of the 124 participating FA Cup clubs for local projects and the remainder to FA charity partners like the British Heart Foundation.[22] This funding bolsters grassroots football and vulnerable communities, while the event at Wembley Stadium contributes to London's tourism by attracting large crowds and enhancing the area's vibrancy.[22][2] Socially, the 2025 Shield supported diverse initiatives, including donations to homeless shelters, care homes, women's refuges, community centres, foodbanks, youth clubs, and schools in the London Borough of Brent and nationwide.[2] Key efforts encompassed the Wembley Community Club program for local organizations, weekly Memory Café sessions with the Alzheimer's Society for dementia support, Brent Giving grants totaling £50,000, and a £25,000 contribution to The Felix Project, enabling over 124,000 meals for those in need.[2] These activities align with the FA's broader push for inclusivity, amid a 56% rise in women and girls participating in football over the past four years (as of 2024), though specific crowd diversity metrics for the Shield remain reflective of growing female engagement in the sport.[37]Venues
Primary venue: Wembley Stadium
Wembley Stadium became the permanent home of the FA Community Shield in 1974, hosting the inaugural match in its modern format between league champions Leeds United and FA Cup winners Liverpool, which ended in a 1–1 draw decided by penalties.[3] This shift established Wembley as the annual venue for the competition, aligning with its role as England's national football stadium and providing a centralized, high-profile setting for the season's opening showpiece. With an official capacity of 90,000, the stadium accommodates large crowds, underscoring its status as one of Europe's largest venues dedicated to association football.[38] The stadium's facilities support elite-level play and spectator experience, featuring a state-of-the-art hybrid grass pitch reinforced with Desso GrassMaster technology—a mix of natural grass and synthetic fibers for durability and consistency. This pitch is relaid annually or as needed, often using innovative "Lay and Play" systems grown off-site to withstand heavy usage from football matches, concerts, and other events while maintaining pristine conditions for the Community Shield. Hospitality suites and premium lounges provide enhanced experiences for thousands of guests, including at the 2025 match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool, which drew 82,645 spectators. Weather contingencies, such as postponements, remain rare given the event's late-summer timing and the stadium's robust infrastructure.[39][40] Wembley's significance as the primary venue is amplified by its integration with The Football Association's headquarters, located on-site since 2009, which reinforces the stadium's symbolic role as the epicenter of English football governance and tradition. 44 editions of the Shield have been staged there, as of 2025, cementing its position as the competition's enduring national stage. Among notable records at Wembley, the highest-scoring match occurred in 1992, when Leeds United edged Liverpool 4–3 in a thrilling seven-goal encounter.[41][42]Historical and alternative venues
The FA Community Shield, originally known as the Charity Shield, began in 1908 with its inaugural match held at Stamford Bridge in London, serving as a neutral venue to pit professional and amateur representatives against each other.[3] This ground hosted the fixture multiple times during its early years, including in 1909, 1910, and 1911, reflecting the competition's London-centric focus to ensure impartiality and logistical ease for participating teams from across England.[5] Throughout the 1910s to the 1950s, the match rotated among various London stadiums to accommodate availability and capacity needs, with White Hart Lane hosting six editions between 1912 and 1961, and Arsenal's Highbury staging seven contests from 1924 to 1953.[43] Post-World War II, venues remained predominantly in the capital for neutrality, though occasional shifts occurred; for instance, Villa Park in Birmingham hosted the 1972 edition as one of the last non-Wembley outings before the fixture's stabilization.[3] These choices prioritized central locations with sufficient infrastructure, avoiding bias toward any one club while maximizing attendance potential.[44] The period from 1974 marked a shift toward Wembley Stadium as the standard venue, but disruptions led to notable alternatives. With Wembley's original structure undergoing a major rebuild starting in 2002, the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, hosted the match annually from 2001 to 2006, providing a high-capacity, modern facility during the transition.[7] Subsequent exceptions were rare and driven by scheduling conflicts: Villa Park accommodated the 2012 fixture due to Wembley's commitment to the London Olympics football events, while Leicester City's King Power Stadium hosted in 2022 amid the Women's Euro 2022 final at Wembley.[3][45] No additional guest venues have been used since 2007 outside these instances, underscoring Wembley's enduring role.[5] The 2025 FA Community Shield, featuring Liverpool against Crystal Palace, was held at Wembley Stadium on August 10, reaffirming its status as the competition's primary host despite historical adaptations for practicality and major events.[8]Records and Achievements
Overall match records
The FA Community Shield has been contested 103 times as of the 2025 edition, encompassing fixtures from its inception in 1908, including those during wartime interruptions.[46] Across these matches, an average of 2.8 goals have been scored per game, with the highest aggregate total of 12 goals recorded in the 1911 fixture between Manchester United and Swindon Town (8–4). The record for the most goals by one team is 8, achieved by Manchester United in that 1911 match. No own goals were recorded until the 1950s, marking an era of relatively clean play in the competition's early years.[3] Draws have occurred in 24 matches, representing 22% of the total, and since the adoption of penalty shootouts in 1993 for tied games, 15 of these have been decided that way, adding drama to the season opener. The 2024 match between Manchester City and Manchester United featured the longest penalty shootout, ending 7–6 after a 1–1 draw.[3] Attendance figures reflect the event's growing popularity, with a cumulative total exceeding 5 million spectators over the years. The peak crowd of 98,000 was achieved in 1972 at Wembley Stadium, while the average pre-Wembley era hovered around 45,000 per match, underscoring the shift to larger venues for enhanced fan engagement.[3]Club and manager records
Manchester United hold the record for the most FA Community Shield victories with 21 titles, followed by Arsenal with 17, Liverpool with 16, and Everton with 9.[47] Crystal Palace achieved their debut win in the competition in 2025, defeating Liverpool 3–2 on penalties after a 2–2 draw to claim their first major trophy.[48] Manchester United also hold the record for the most losses with 10 defeats across 31 appearances. Sir Alex Ferguson is the most successful manager in FA Community Shield history, securing 10 titles with Manchester United, while Arsène Wenger won 7 with Arsenal.[47] Ferguson managed in 15 matches, winning 10.| Manager | Wins |
|---|---|
| Sir Alex Ferguson (Manchester United) | 10 |
| Arsène Wenger (Arsenal) | 7 |
| Bob Paisley (Liverpool) | 6 |
| Sir Matt Busby (Manchester United) | 5 |
Results
Results by year
The FA Community Shield has been contested since 1908, with no matches held during the First World War (1915–1919) and Second World War (1939–1947), resulting in 103 finals up to and including 2025. Early editions often featured non-league or amateur sides, while wartime interruptions led to regional or exhibition games in some years; draws occasionally resulted in shared titles until penalty shootouts became standard in 1993. The following table details each match, identifying the league champion (LC) and FA Cup winner (FAC) participants where applicable, along with the score, overall winner, venue, and attendance (where recorded).[52]| Year | League Winner | Cup Winner | Score | Winner | Attendance | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1908 | Manchester United | Queens Park Rangers | 1–1 (replay 4–0) | Manchester United | N/A | Stamford Bridge, London |
| 1909 | Newcastle United | Northampton Town | 2–0 | Newcastle United | N/A | Stamford Bridge, London |
| 1910 | Aston Villa | Brighton & Hove Albion | 0–1 | Brighton & Hove Albion | N/A | Stamford Bridge, London |
| 1911 | Manchester United | Swindon Town | 8–4 | Manchester United | N/A | Stamford Bridge, London |
| 1912 | Blackburn Rovers | Queens Park Rangers | 2–1 | Blackburn Rovers | N/A | White Hart Lane, London |
| 1913 | Professionals XI | Amateurs XI | 7–2 | Professionals XI | N/A | The Den, London |
| 1914–1919 | Not contested | Not contested | – | – | – | – (WWI suspension) |
| 1920 | Tottenham Hotspur | West Bromwich Albion | 0–2 | West Bromwich Albion | N/A | White Hart Lane, London |
| 1921 | Burnley | Tottenham Hotspur | 0–2 | Tottenham Hotspur | N/A | White Hart Lane, London |
| 1922 | Huddersfield Town | Liverpool | 1–0 | Huddersfield Town | N/A | Old Trafford, Manchester |
| 1923 | Professionals XI | Amateurs XI | 2–0 | Professionals XI | N/A | Stamford Bridge, London |
| 1924 | Professionals XI | Amateurs XI | 3–1 | Professionals XI | N/A | Highbury, London |
| 1925 | Professionals XI | Amateurs XI | 1–6 | Amateurs XI | N/A | White Hart Lane, London |
| 1926 | Professionals XI | Amateurs XI | 3–6 | Amateurs XI | N/A | Maine Road, Manchester |
| 1927 | Cardiff City | Corinthian | 2–1* | Cardiff City | N/A | Stamford Bridge, London |
| 1928 | Everton | Blackburn Rovers | 2–1 | Everton | N/A | Old Trafford, Manchester |
| 1929 | Professionals XI | Amateurs XI | 3–0 | Professionals XI | N/A | The Den, London |
| 1930 | Arsenal | Sheffield Wednesday | 2–1 | Arsenal | N/A | Stamford Bridge, London |
| 1931 | Arsenal | West Bromwich Albion | 1–0 | Arsenal | N/A | Villa Park, Birmingham |
| 1932 | Everton | Newcastle United | 5–3 | Everton | N/A | St James' Park, Newcastle |
| 1933 | Arsenal | Everton | 3–0 | Arsenal | N/A | Goodison Park, Liverpool |
| 1934 | Arsenal | Manchester City | 4–0 | Arsenal | N/A | Highbury, London |
| 1935 | Arsenal | Sheffield Wednesday | 0–1 | Sheffield Wednesday | N/A | Highbury, London |
| 1936 | Sunderland | Arsenal | 2–1 | Sunderland | N/A | Roker Park, Sunderland |
| 1937 | Manchester City | Sunderland | 2–0 | Manchester City | N/A | Maine Road, Manchester |
| 1938 | Arsenal | Preston North End | 2–1 | Arsenal | N/A | Highbury, London |
| 1939–1947 | Not contested | Not contested | – | – | – | – (WWII suspension; regional matches in some years) |
| 1948 | Arsenal | Manchester United | 4–3 | Arsenal | N/A | Highbury, London |
| 1949 | Portsmouth | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 1–1 | Shared | N/A | Highbury, London |
| 1950 | Portsmouth | England World Cup XI / FA Canadian Touring Team | 2–4 | England World Cup XI | N/A | Stamford Bridge, London |
| 1951 | Tottenham Hotspur | Newcastle United | 2–1 | Tottenham Hotspur | N/A | White Hart Lane, London |
| 1952 | Manchester United | Newcastle United | 4–2 | Manchester United | N/A | Old Trafford, Manchester |
| 1953 | Arsenal | Blackpool | 3–1 | Arsenal | N/A | Highbury, London |
| 1954 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | West Bromwich Albion | 4–4 | Shared | N/A | Molineux, Wolverhampton |
| 1955 | Chelsea | Newcastle United | 3–0 | Chelsea | N/A | Stamford Bridge, London |
| 1956 | Manchester United | Manchester City | 1–0 | Manchester United | N/A | Maine Road, Manchester |
| 1957 | Manchester United | Aston Villa | 4–0 | Manchester United | N/A | Old Trafford, Manchester |
| 1958 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | Bolton Wanderers | 1–4 | Bolton Wanderers | N/A | Burnden Park, Bolton |
| 1959 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | Nottingham Forest | 3–1 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | N/A | Molineux, Wolverhampton |
| 1960 | Burnley | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 2–2 | Shared | N/A | Turf Moor, Burnley |
| 1961 | Tottenham Hotspur | FA XI | 3–2 | Tottenham Hotspur | N/A | White Hart Lane, London |
| 1962 | Tottenham Hotspur | Ipswich Town | 5–1 | Tottenham Hotspur | N/A | Portman Road, Ipswich |
| 1963 | Everton | Manchester United | 4–0 | Everton | N/A | Goodison Park, Liverpool |
| 1964 | Liverpool | West Ham United | 2–2 | Shared | N/A | Anfield, Liverpool |
| 1965 | Manchester United | Liverpool | 2–2 | Shared | N/A | Old Trafford, Manchester |
| 1966 | Liverpool | Everton | 1–0 | Liverpool | N/A | Goodison Park, Liverpool |
| 1967 | Manchester United | Tottenham Hotspur | 3–3 | Shared | N/A | Old Trafford, Manchester |
| 1968 | Manchester City | West Bromwich Albion | 6–1 | Manchester City | N/A | Maine Road, Manchester |
| 1969 | Leeds United | Manchester City | 2–1 | Leeds United | N/A | Elland Road, Leeds |
| 1970 | Everton | Chelsea | 2–1 | Everton | N/A | Stamford Bridge, London |
| 1971 | Liverpool | Leicester City | 0–1 | Leicester City | N/A | Filbert Street, Leicester |
| 1972 | Manchester City | Aston Villa | 1–0 | Manchester City | N/A | Villa Park, Birmingham |
| 1973 | Manchester City | Burnley | 0–1 | Burnley | N/A | Maine Road, Manchester |
| 1974 | Liverpool | Leeds United | 1–1 (6–5 pens) | Liverpool | N/A | Wembley Stadium, London |
| 1975 | Derby County | West Ham United | 2–0 | Derby County | N/A | Wembley Stadium, London |
| 1976 | Liverpool | Southampton | 1–0 | Liverpool | N/A | Wembley Stadium, London |
| 1977 | Liverpool | Manchester United | 0–0 | Shared | N/A | Wembley Stadium, London |
| 1978 | Nottingham Forest | Ipswich Town | 5–0 | Nottingham Forest | N/A | Wembley Stadium, London |
| 1979 | Liverpool | Arsenal | 3–1 | Liverpool | N/A | Wembley Stadium, London |
| 1980 | Liverpool | West Ham United | 1–0 | Liverpool | N/A | Wembley Stadium, London |
| 1981 | Aston Villa | Tottenham Hotspur | 2–2 | Shared | N/A | Wembley Stadium, London |
| 1982 | Liverpool | Tottenham Hotspur | 1–0 | Liverpool | N/A | Wembley Stadium, London |
| 1983 | Liverpool | Manchester United | 0–2 | Manchester United | N/A | Wembley Stadium, London |
| 1984 | Liverpool | Everton | 0–1 | Everton | N/A | Wembley Stadium, London |
| 1985 | Everton | Manchester United | 2–0 | Everton | N/A | Wembley Stadium, London |
| 1986 | Liverpool | Everton | 1–1 | Shared | N/A | Wembley Stadium, London |
| 1987 | Everton | Coventry City | 1–0 | Everton | N/A | Wembley Stadium, London |
| 1988 | Liverpool | Wimbledon | 2–1 | Liverpool | N/A | Wembley Stadium, London |
| 1989 | Arsenal | Liverpool | 0–1 | Liverpool | N/A | Wembley Stadium, London |
| 1990 | Liverpool | Manchester United | 1–1 | Shared | N/A | Wembley Stadium, London |
| 1991 | Arsenal | Tottenham Hotspur | 0–0 (4–3 pens) | Arsenal | N/A | Wembley Stadium, London |
| 1992 | Leeds United | Liverpool | 4–3 | Leeds United | N/A | Wembley Stadium, London |
| 1993 | Manchester United | Arsenal | 1–1 (5–4 pens) | Manchester United | N/A | Wembley Stadium, London |
| 1994 | Manchester United | Blackburn Rovers | 2–0 | Manchester United | N/A | Wembley Stadium, London |
| 1995 | Blackburn Rovers | Everton | 0–1 | Everton | N/A | Wembley Stadium, London |
| 1996 | Manchester United | Newcastle United | 4–0 | Manchester United | N/A | Wembley Stadium, London |
| 1997 | Manchester United | Chelsea | 1–1 (4–2 pens) | Manchester United | N/A | Wembley Stadium, London |
| 1998 | Arsenal | Manchester United | 3–0 | Arsenal | N/A | Wembley Stadium, London |
| 1999 | Manchester United | Arsenal | 2–1 | Manchester United | N/A | Wembley Stadium, London |
| 2000 | Manchester United | Chelsea | 0–2 | Chelsea | 66,084 | Wembley Stadium, London |
| 2001 | Manchester United | Liverpool | 1–2 | Liverpool | 62,919 | Millennium Stadium, Cardiff |
| 2002 | Arsenal | Liverpool | 1–0 | Arsenal | 65,180 | Millennium Stadium, Cardiff |
| 2003 | Manchester United | Arsenal | 1–1 (4–3 pens) | Manchester United | 59,141 | Millennium Stadium, Cardiff |
| 2004 | Arsenal | Manchester United | 3–1 | Arsenal | 59,657 | Millennium Stadium, Cardiff |
| 2005 | Chelsea | Arsenal | 2–1 | Chelsea | 56,500 | Millennium Stadium, Cardiff |
| 2006 | Chelsea | Liverpool | 1–2 | Liverpool | 58,082 | Millennium Stadium, Cardiff |
| 2007 | Manchester United | Chelsea | 1–1 (3–0 pens) | Manchester United | 81,445 | New Wembley Stadium, London |
| 2008 | Manchester United | Portsmouth | 0–0 (3–1 pens) | Manchester United | 88,828 | Wembley Stadium, London |
| 2009 | Manchester United | Chelsea | 2–2 (1–4 pens) | Chelsea | 88,217 | Wembley Stadium, London |
| 2010 | Chelsea | Manchester United | 1–3 | Manchester United | 84,020 | Wembley Stadium, London |
| 2011 | Manchester United | Manchester City | 3–2 | Manchester United | 85,640 | Wembley Stadium, London |
| 2012 | Manchester City | Chelsea | 3–2 | Manchester City | 35,570 | Villa Park, Birmingham |
| 2013 | Manchester United | Wigan Athletic | 2–0 | Manchester United | 80,235 | Wembley Stadium, London |
| 2014 | Manchester City | Arsenal | 0–3 | Arsenal | 71,523 | Wembley Stadium, London |
| 2015 | Chelsea | Arsenal | 0–1 | Arsenal | 71,215 | Wembley Stadium, London |
| 2016 | Leicester City | Manchester United | 1–2 | Manchester United | 85,397 | Wembley Stadium, London |
| 2017 | Chelsea | Arsenal | 1–1 (1–4 pens) | Arsenal | 83,325 | Wembley Stadium, London |
| 2018 | Manchester City | Chelsea | 2–0 | Manchester City | 72,131 | Wembley Stadium, London |
| 2019 | Manchester City | Liverpool | 1–1 (5–4 pens) | Manchester City | 77,290 | Wembley Stadium, London |
| 2020 | Liverpool | Arsenal | 1–1 (4–5 pens) | Arsenal | 0 (no fans, COVID-19) | Wembley Stadium, London |
| 2021 | Manchester City | Leicester City | 0–1 | Leicester City | 79,582 | Wembley Stadium, London |
| 2022 | Manchester City | Liverpool | 1–3 | Liverpool | 36,231 | King Power Stadium, Leicester |
| 2023 | Manchester City | Arsenal | 1–1 (1–4 pens) | Arsenal | 79,507 | Wembley Stadium, London |
| 2024 | Manchester City | Manchester United | 1–1 (7–6 pens) | Manchester City | 78,146 | Wembley Stadium, London |
| 2025 | Liverpool | Crystal Palace | 2–2 (2–3 pens) | Crystal Palace | 82,645 | Wembley Stadium, London |
Summary of winners by club
Manchester United hold the record for the most FA Community Shield victories with 21, including four shared titles, followed by Arsenal with 17 and Liverpool with 16.[55][47] The competition has featured 22 different winners overall, with 13 instances of shared honors due to draws prior to the introduction of penalty shootouts in 1993.[7] Manchester United also lead in total participations with 30 finals appearances, while debutants like Crystal Palace have just one in 2025 after defeating Liverpool 3–2 on penalties.[56][57] Early editions of the competition were dominated by northern English clubs, including Manchester United, Everton, and Newcastle United, reflecting the industrial heartlands' football strength in the pre-World War II era. From the 1990s onward, London-based teams such as Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham Hotspur have increased their success, alongside sustained dominance from Manchester clubs, highlighting the capital's growing prominence in modern English football.[7][58]| Club | Wins | Runners-up | Years won |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester United | 21 | 9 | 1908, 1911, 1952, 1956, 1957, 1965*, 1967*, 1977*, 1983, 1990*, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2016 |
| Arsenal | 17 | 7 | 1930, 1931, 1933, 1934, 1938, 1948, 1953, 1991*, 1998, 2002, 2004, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2020, 2023 |
| Liverpool | 16 | 8 | 1964*, 1965*, 1966, 1974, 1976, 1977*, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1986*, 1988, 1989, 1990*, 2001, 2006, 2022 |
| Everton | 9 | 4 | 1928, 1932, 1963, 1970, 1984, 1985, 1986*, 1987, 1995 |
| Manchester City | 7 | 9 | 1937, 1968, 1972, 2012, 2018, 2019, 2024 |
| Tottenham Hotspur | 7 | 8 | 1921, 1951, 1961, 1962, 1967*, 1981*, 1991* |
| Chelsea | 4 | 4 | 1955, 2000, 2005, 2009 |
| Wolverhampton Wanderers | 4 | 5 | 1949*, 1954*, 1959, 1960* |
| Crystal Palace | 1 | 0 | 2025 |
Wins by competing qualification
The FA Community Shield is contested between the Premier League champions and the FA Cup winners from the previous season, providing a unique lens to analyze performance based on qualification routes. Historically, league champions have enjoyed a slight edge, securing victory in 52 of 103 matches (including shared titles counted as half), for an effective ~55% win rate, while FA Cup winners have triumphed in 38 at ~45%. This balance underscores the competitive parity between sustained league dominance and cup knockout success, with outcomes often hinging on early-season form and tactical preparation.[55] A notable subset involves double winners—teams that claim both the Premier League and FA Cup in the same season—who have appeared in 14 instances and converted 10 of those into Community Shield victories, demonstrating their momentum's carryover effect. For example, in 2023, Arsenal (league runners-up) defeated Manchester City (2022–23 double winners) 4–1 on penalties to lift the Shield, exemplifying how opponents can upset dual-title holders. In cases without a double, the match pits direct qualifiers against each other, but when a double occurs, the opponent is the league runners-up, adding an extra layer of intrigue.[3][61] Runners-up have occasionally filled in as entrants, particularly against double winners, and have notched 3 Shield wins in such scenarios, highlighting underdog potential. These victories often stem from exploiting fatigue or complacency in the title holders.| Qualification Type | Wins | Losses | Notable Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| League Champions | 52 | 51 | 2024: Manchester City (league) beat Manchester United (cup) 7–6 on penalties; 2018: Manchester City (league) beat Chelsea (cup) 2–0 |
| FA Cup Winners | 38 | 52 | 2025: Crystal Palace (cup) beat Liverpool (league) 3–2 on penalties; 2021: Leicester City (cup) beat Manchester City (league) 1–0 |
| Double Winners (vs. Runners-up) | 10 | 4 | 2019: Manchester City (double) beat Liverpool (runners-up) 5–4 on penalties; 2004: Arsenal (double) beat Manchester United (runners-up) 3–1 |
| League Runners-up (vs. Double) | 3 | 10 | 2023: Arsenal (runners-up) beat Manchester City (double) 4–1 on penalties; 1998: Manchester United (runners-up) lost to Arsenal (double) 0–3 |