Train operator Great Western Railway (GWR) is adding thousands of extra seats to its services to and from Cardiff for the Community Shield this Sunday (16 August).

The annual match sees the Premier League champions play the FA Cup winners from the previous season, which this year makes it a game between Arsenal and Manchester City.

The fixture will be played at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium for the first time since 2006.

Trains will carry football fans to Cardiff Central station, which, earlier this year, gained a red dragon statue.

Trains from London to Cardiff are already sold out, so the operator will run three additional services from London Paddington offering extra seats.

GWR will run twenty trains into Cardiff before the match, including extra services from Bristol Temple Meads.

It is also adding carriages to scheduled services.

Passengers will have to reserve their seats on all services to Cardiff before 15:00.

After the match, GWR will run eighteen trains from Cardiff between 17:00 and 21:30, which include extra services and carriages to Bristol Temple Meads, plus four extra trains to London Paddington.

These additional services will provide 3,326 extra seats.

GWR expects that its trains running straight after the match will be very busy. It may require passengers to queue outside the station.

They will then be allowed access to the platform in safe numbers on a first-come, first-served basis.

The last direct trains from Cardiff will run at the following times:

• 21:20 to London Paddington
• 21:20 to Bristol Parkway
• 23:11 to Bristol Temple Mead

GWR is strongly encouraging those travelling home after the match to allow extra time to get to Cardiff Central station and to check their onward connections before they set off, particularly if they plan to catch the evening’s last services.

Network Rail will restart its flood protection work in the area after the match.

“It’s a huge occasion for Cardiff and for football. The Community Shield returning to the Principality Stadium for the first time in 20 years is something supporters will not want to miss, and we’ve worked hard to make sure the railway is ready for it.

“We’ve added thousands of extra seats in both directions, but trains will be busy and we’d encourage everyone to book in advance, allow plenty of time and check the time of their last train home before they travel.”

GWR Customer Service and Events Manager South Wales, Kay Davies