The new Premier League season is just around the corner and as supporters eagerly await kick-off, it's time for the traditional season opener, the Community Shield. Liverpool and Crystal Palace are set to vie for the first piece of silverware of the campaign at Wembley Stadium this weekend. This match-up sees the reigning Premier League champions take on last season's FA Cup victors.
The Reds clinched the league title in spectacular fashion last season, finishing 10 points clear at the top in Arne Slot's debut campaign. On the other hand, Palace etched their name in the history books when Eberechi Eze's goal secured a 1-0 victory over Manchester City in last season's FA Cup final. This triumph, under the stewardship of manager Oliver Glasner, marked their maiden major trophy win.
Consequently, this Sunday's clash at Wembley will be Palace's inaugural appearance in the annual fixture, which has been a staple of the football calendar in various forms for nearly 120 years.
This contrasts with Liverpool, who have lifted the Community Shield 16 times, with their latest success coming in 2022 when they defeated City. Only Manchester United (21) and Arsenal (17) have hoisted the trophy more often.
However, while both sets of supporters will be eager to see their teams in action on Sunday, they won't be able to watch the match on free-to-air TV due to a significant change announced for this year's fixture. ITV, which has had a long-standing relationship with the Community Shield, has now lost the broadcasting rights to the match.
Instead, the coverage has shifted to a subscription service, with the match being broadcast live and exclusively on TNT Sports and discovery+. Whilst kick-off is scheduled for 3pm, coverage will commence on TNT Sport 1 from 2pm, wrapping up at approximately 6pm.
The FA confirmed the broadcaster change in a statement released ahead of this weekend's encounter. "The 2025 FA Community Shield match will be contested by the 2024-25 Emirates FA Cup winners, Crystal Palace, and 2024-25 Premier League champions, Liverpool," the statement read.
"The game will take place at Wembley Stadium connected by EE on Sunday 10 August. It will be broadcast live and exclusively on TNT Sports 1, with kick-off at 3pm BST."
This development comes more than a year after it was announced that ITV would also forfeit their rights to broadcast live FA Cup matches from the forthcoming 2025/26 season onwards.
Under a fresh partnership, the BBC will become the free-to-air broadcaster of the prestigious cup competition, screening 14 games live, whilst matches will also be aired on TNT Sports.