England · Curtain-Raiser

Community Shield

In US-sports termsThe NFL's Hall of Fame preseason game — champion vs. cup winner, one match, zero stakes, mostly a photo op before the real season.
What it is
One match at Wembley in August, the week before the season: Premier League champion vs FA Cup winner.
How you get in
Win the league or win the FA Cup. If one club won both (the Double), the league runner-up steps in.
What it feeds
A trophy and bragging rights. No qualification stakes whatsoever — it's the ceremonial handshake before the fight.
Count it as silverware at your own risk. Fans of the club that wins it do; everyone else calls it a glorified friendly.
See it on the England map →Translate the jargon →