Community Shield moved to TNT Sports

Liverpool and Crystal Palace will clash at Wembley for the Community Shield as ITV relinquishes free to air rights and TNT Sports takes over.

Liverpool and Crystal Palace meet in Community Shield after ITV loses free to air rights

Liverpool will face Crystal Palace at Wembley on Sunday to contest the Community Shield. The match kicks off at 3 pm BST, and the broadcast will be provided by TNT Sports 1 with coverage starting at 2 pm. ITV has ended its live rights to the game, transferring exclusive coverage to TNT Sports and discovery+.

Palace reach the shield as FA Cup winners, and Liverpool brings a strong history in the event, having lifted the trophy 16 times most recently in 2022. The FA confirmed the new arrangement in a statement, noting Wembley will host the match. This shift marks a broader change in how fans access cup fixtures through subscription platforms rather than free to air channels.

The move away from free to air coverage raises questions about accessibility for casual fans and families who rely on public broadcasts. It also highlights the growing role of streaming platforms in financing top level football. While bookmakers, investors, and broadcasters may view the change as a way to secure long term funding, it increases the risk of losing a shared cultural moment for viewers who cannot or choose not to pay for a subscription.

At the same time, the switch fits a broader strategy in which the sport balances commercial partners with public reach. The BBC is set to carry a selection of free to air matches in the coming years, while TNT Sports remains a primary channel for premium games. The outcome will depend on how effectively teams and leagues can maintain visibility and engagement as rights evolve.

Highlights

Watching football is changing, and the test is whether fans stay at the heart of the game.