When and where
The 2020/21 season curtain raiser - and the first FA Women’s Community Shield since 2008 - will take place at Wembley Stadium, kicking off at 12:30pm (UK) on Saturday 29 August as part of a double header with the men’s fixture.
In the UK, the game will be broadcast live on BBC One and the BBC iPlayer. Audio commentary will be provided by BBC Radio Manchester.
ESPN are showing the game in the United States, while fans in other countries can tune in via the FA Player.
You can also follow all the action in our Matchday Centre here on mancity.com and on Twitter: @ManCityWomen.
SHOP | OUR WOMEN’S TRAINING WEAR RANGE
Rules
Both the women’s and men’s fixtures will be played behind-closed-doors.
If the scores are level after 90 minutes, the game will be decided by a penalty shoot-out with no extra time played.
League Champions Chelsea are the ‘home’ team and 2019 FA Cup holders City ‘away.’
In line with current protocols, additional balls will be placed at intervals around the pitch.
Goal Line Technology will be in place.
Match officials
Referee: Rebecca Welch (Durham CFA)
Assistant referees: Natalie Aspinall, Emily Carney (Lancashire CFA)
Fourth official: Abigail Byrne (Suffolk CFA)
Reserve assistant referee: Cristiana Hattersley (Lancashire FA)
Gareth Taylor preview
“It’s going to be a great game. We’re really confident – we’re going there to really put on good performance and hopefully, come back with an early trophy in the season.
“We’re looking for that first piece of silverware. I understand completely the expectations. The girls are winners. I sensed the hunger from the moment I arrived.
“We want to build on the success we’ve already had. We understand that to do that, there has to be slight changes – not massive ones. Belief is a big one of those.
“I’m pushing the girls a lot, pushing the staff a lot… Belief is a big thing to being successful. This week, it’s more work, back out onto the training pitches. We’re looking forward to it.”
Steph Houghton preview
“Talk about easing us in gently! To be able to play Chelsea on Saturday at Wembley is fantastic.
“It will be unbelievable to play at the stadium, although still strange without fans.
“It’s important to play these type of teams going into season, which is going to be even more exciting and competitive.
“For us, we were disappointed with the way the season ended, losing the league and being knocked out of the Continental Cup.
“There was still a long way to go in the league and I was confident we could finish the job we started but it wasn’t meant to be.
“This Club needs to be winning trophies. There are six available this year (with the two FA Cups and Community Shield) and we’ll be trying our best to get our hands on all of them!”
Opposition manager: Emma Hayes
“We have become accustomed to playing in these big games, I’ve got a lot of experience in the squad who know how to produce performances at this level.
“I’ve got great memories from winning both against Notts County and Arsenal and I’d rather focus on those ones.
“Of course it’s sad not to have our fans with us but I know I’ve got one of the best teams in the world and I’m looking forward to playing another best team in the world for what is a brilliant season opener in this country.”
Opposition preview: Sam Kerr
“Man City are one of the best teams in the league and probably Europe so it’s going to be exciting.
“Last year when I played in the game against them it was one of the most difficult matches, but we’ve been working really hard and we’re ready for it.
“We want to start the season on a high so it’s a big game for us and anytime there’s a trophy at stake it’s super exciting.”
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Last meeting
The Academy Stadium played host to one of the most entertaining games in recent FA Women’s Super League history, as the two sides contested a thrilling 3-3 draw in what turned out to be the final game of the 2019/20 season.
Youngster Lauren Hemp bagged a dramatic leveller for Alan Mahon’s league leaders, after goals from Ellen White and Georgia Stanway had been cancelled out by Ji So-yun and Magdalena Eriksson before Bethany England turned the game on its head.
With Stanway also seeing a penalty saved at 2-2, the game looked to swing firmly in Chelsea’s favour but Hemp, who netted the winner in the 2-1 triumph over fellow rivals Arsenal, popped up once more to salvage a point.
