The NI Football League can confirm the date for this year’s Charity Shield in partnership with White Ribbon NI.

The season opener between Premiership champions Larne and Irish Cup winners Crusaders will take place at Inver Park on Saturday 1 July 2023 (kick-off: 3pm).

The decision to play the game earlier in the summer schedule will act as important preparation for both club’s European matches later that month.

NIFL's Charity Shield returned last year as part of the league’s official Charity Partnership with White Ribbon NI, as Crusaders defeated Linfield at the National Stadium in a match which raised over £4,000 for charity.

White Ribbon NI are currently the official charity partner of the NI Football League since 2022 and has been set up to challenge the attitudes and behaviours which lead violence against women and girls in Northern Ireland.

Making the white ribbon pledge to never commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women is a first step, a catalyst for conversation, encouraging everyone including men and boys, to individually and collectively take action and change behaviour.

Steven Mills, NIFL Chief Operating Officer. said, “Following the success of last season’s Charity Shield, we’re delighted to see it return again for the benefit of both White Ribbon NI and the competing clubs, as we give them the best possible platform to represent our league on the European stage.

Tahnee McCorry, White Ribbon NI said, “The partnership with the NI Football League has been a huge success for us in getting the core message of the White Ribbon NI pledge engrained within football. The Charity Shield once again gives us a high profile opportunity to raise awareness and also raise vital funds to support our work.”

For more information on White Ribbon NI, visit www.whiteribbonni.org.