Charity Shield

The Football Association Community Shield (formerly the Charity Shield) is English football’s annual match contested at Wembley Stadium between the champions of the previous Premier League season and the holders of the FA Cup. If the Premier League champions also won the FA Cup, then the league runners-up provide the opposition. The fixture is recognised as a competitive super cup by the Football Association and UEFA.

Organised by the FA, proceeds from the game are distributed to community initiatives and charities around the country. Revenue from the gate receipts and match programme sales is distributed to the 124 clubs who competed in the FA Cup from the first round onwards, for onward distribution to charities and projects of their choice, while the remainder is distributed to the FA’s national charity partners.

The rules of the Community Shield are generally the same as those of the Premier League, with a team of 11 starting players and 7 substitutes. However, unlike in most other competitions where only three substitutions are permitted, teams in the Community Shield are permitted up to six substitutions. If the scores are level after 90 minutes, the teams play a penalty shootout.

An official honour in the English game, the Community Shield is the first competitive game of the new top-flight English football season. However, it has been considered by some to be a minor trophy and Community Shield games may not be as hotly contested as other trophy finals. The tournament, along with other domestic super cups, generally receives far higher status in the rest of Europe than in Britain.

On the other hand, many media, clubs and players continue to recognise the importance of the match as the first official game and trophy of the domestic season.