The 2026-27 Isle of Man football season fires into life at the Bowl tomorrow (Friday) evening at 7pm when the Eric Fletcher Charity Shield takes place.

The traditional curtain-raiser for the new campaign will take centre stage at the national stadium when last season's Canada Life Premier League champions Peel take on Hospital, Railway and FA Cup winners Corinthians.

The westerners are aiming to win the shield for the second year in a row – and third time in four seasons – after beating Ayre United 2-1 in last year's match.

Peel and Corinthians last met in this contest in 2023 when the Sunset City side ran out 3-1 winners, while the Whites last lifted the trophy in 2021 when beating Rushen 2-0.

For the two teams, it is an opportunity to pick up some early silverware and lay down a possible marker for the season ahead.

The sides met on no fewer than four occasions during the 2025-26 campaign as they battled for supremacy across the league and cup competitions.

Corinthians had the upper in the cup competitions, claiming the aforementioned hat-trick of trophies during the season, including edging past the westerners 2-1 in the Railway Cup final on Boxing Day.

But Peel stunned the Ballafletcher side 5-0 in the league, a result which proved pivotal in the destination of the title as the Sunset City side lifted the league crown for the 32nd time in their illustrious history.

It remains to be seen how the two teams are shaping up ahead of the new campaign - as ever, the Manx rumour mill is in full force regarding transfers between clubs.

One of the big talking points has been that of Peel star and Golden Boot winner Tomas Brown who has been in action for FC Isle of Man recently, but he has also been amongst the goals for the westerners during pre-season so it remains to be seen how his involvement shapes up during the 2026-27 campaign.