The 2023 Community Shield: Supporters Guide

Fans advice for Community Shield 2023

Arsenal v Manchester City Sunday 6 August (kick-off 16:00)

The football season’s traditional curtain raiser returns to Wembley Stadium after a year away.

For all those attending the game, we have prepared some useful information, below. Strict adherence to the guidance will ensure Wembley Stadium is a safe environment for all visitors and give fans the opportunity to make the most of their visit.

Travel advice

Supporters should aim to arrive at Wembley Stadium at least one hour before kick-off to allow plenty of time to get inside. Plan you journeys in advance to avoid disappointment or delay.

Travelling by National Rail

There are no planned rail strikes on August 6. All train operators will be running a normal Sunday service. Check National Rail Enquiries for the latest up-to-date information.

Transport for London

Wembley Central closed

Wembley Central station is closed due to planned engineering works affecting the Bakerloo and London Overground lines.

Please use alternative TfL bus or Tube services and check TfL updates for all the latest information.

No London Overground services will be operating between Willesden Junction and Watford Junction and no Bakerloo line services are operating between Stonebridge Park and Harrow & Wealdstone, due to engineering works.   

Wembley Park and Wembley Stadium Station will be operating as normal. Fans are advised to check TfL websites on match day for real-time travel information and status updates.

Travelling by car

There are planned works on the A40 Western Avenue (between Hanger Lane Gyratory and Gypsy Corner) on match day. There will be a closure of Lane 3 in both directions between 05:00 and 22:00. After 22:00, Lanes 2 & 3 will be closed in both directions.  Please allow more time for travel.

Parking at Wembley Stadium

Event day parking at Wembley Stadium is limited and must be booked in advance via the Wembley Official Parking website. Please book early to avoid disappointment. Any vehicles which do not pre-book will not be granted access to the stadium car parks. Customers are advised to park via the official car parks only.

Blue badge parking is available for ticketholders with accessibility needs and this can also be booked directly through the Wembley Official Parking website. For any further accessibility requirements, please review Wembley Stadium’s Access Information page, or visit the Guest support portal.

By Coach

National Express is the official coach partner to Wembley Stadium. National Express drop off at the stadium from over 50 locations around the UK making it the easiest and most convenient way to travel to Wembley. To book a National Express service for the Community Shield visit the National Express website or call 08717 81 81 81.

Match Tickets

Anyone without a ticket should not travel to Wembley Stadium. All tickets are strictly non-transferable and are not available to distribute to other supporters.

Fans with tickets are advised to check they are seated in the appropriate area of the stadium. Any supporter who is identified in opposition areas will be ejected from the stadium for breaching the FA’s ground regulations and be subject to each club’s own sanctions process.

No-street-drinking zone

Since 2022 Brent Council, and its partners, have enforced a no-street-drinking zone on Olympic Way and the surrounding area for ALL events at Wembley Stadium. This is part of the current Public Space Order Protection (PSPO) in place around the stadium on event days. More information on the order can be found here.

As part of the PSPO, shops and off-licences around Wembley Stadium are also banned from selling alcohol on match days.

Fans caught drinking on Olympic Way and the surrounding streets ahead of the Community Shield hand over their alcohol and enforcement action may be considered.

Supporters wanting alcohol before the game should head for the licensed bars or restaurants in the area or make their way to the dedicated fan zones outside the stadium.

Fan Zones

There are two fan zones to the East and West sides of the stadium. Each zone offers supporters the chance to enjoy food and drink (including alcohol) while listening to the latest sounds from our resident DJ. They are the perfect place to soak up the pre-match party atmosphere with fellow fans.

The Arsenal Zone is located on the east concourse area of the stadium.

The Manchester City Fan Zone is located on the west side of the stadium.

The fan zones will be open from 11.00 and close 30 minutes prior to kick-off. They will stop serving alcohol one hour before kick-off.

Supporters will need to present a valid stadium ticket to enter and spaces are limited. The stadium’s bag policy (see below) also applies to anyone visiting the fan zone.

Pyrotechnics

The use of pyrotechnics, flares and smoke devices inside or outside Wembley Stadium is illegal and prohibited. Anyone caught carrying or using pyrotechnical equipment inside the stadium will be immediately ejected from the stadium, banned from future events and dealt with by police. Those caught using pyrotechnic equipment anywhere outside of the stadium will be in breach of the PSPO order and face enforcement action.

The following measures will be in place to prevent the use of pyrotechnic equipment at Wembley Stadium.

  • Additional bag searches
  • Additional patrols with dogs trained to sniff out pyrotechnic material
  • Enhanced CCTV within the stadium and external concourses
  • Enhanced staff training to spot and deal with potential flares/pyro use
  • Working with the local authorities and Metropolitan Police to ensure enforcement action is taken both inside and outside the stadium

 

Disabled supporters

Wembley Stadium is a welcoming and inclusive venue for all guests with access requirements. There are 310 places for wheelchair users, each with a personal assistant/companion seat. The stadium also provides a range of services for guests with specialist access requirements including a shuttle service from Wembley Park Station. More information can be found here.

Stadium access

Hospitality (Club Wembley) turnstiles and Premium General Admission (Level 2) will open three hours before kick-off. General admission turnstiles (level 5) will open two hours before kick-off.

Please arrive early at the stadium to allow enough time for necessary security checks, including enhanced searches and bag checks.

Children (14 years and under) must be accompanied by an adult. Children under the age of two will not be permitted into the stadium.

Food and drink

Wembley Stadium offers an extensive range of food and drinks inside the stadium – more information is available here.

This year's Community Shield will also feature the opening of two new M&S food stores inside the stadium. Situated on level 2, east and west, the two stores offer guests the traditional variety of options you can expect from a M&S store. You can find out more here. 

Restricted bag policy

Wembley Stadium operates a restricted bag policy. Each person can only bring one small bag into the stadium, and it must not be bigger than A4 size:

Height – 297mm (11.7 inches) - Width – 210mm (8.27 inches) - Depth – 210mm (8.27 inches)

Please note, this means the overall bag size – bags that are half-full and folded over to reduce their size will not be accepted. Anyone carrying bags that do not meet the criteria above will not be allowed into the stadium. A full list of prohibited items can be found here.

Persistent standing

Persistent standing during a match at Wembley Stadium is strictly forbidden (unless with a ticket for the safe standing area) and may result in ejection from the ground. Persistent standing not only compromises crowd safety, but also affects the matchday experience of fellow spectators, especially children and elderly people.

Anti-social and discriminatory behaviour

Wembley Stadium operates a zero-tolerance policy on any form of anti-social and discriminatory behaviour. If you witness any anti-social or discriminatory behaviour on the day, text HELP to 66566 or contact your nearest steward.

Stay up to date with all of the latest matchday information by following @wembleystadium on Twitter.