Shakhtar Donetsk to play Champions League home matches at Stamford Bridge
Shakhtar Donetsk to Host Champions League Games in London
FC Shakhtar Donetsk will play their home matches for the UEFA Champions League league phase at Stamford Bridge during the 2026/27 season, pending regulatory approvals. This arrangement allows the Ukrainian club to host its European fixtures in London, the capital of the United Kingdom.
The decision comes as Chelsea FC, the owners of Stamford Bridge, did not qualify for European football after their performance in the 2025/26 season. This absence of European fixtures for Chelsea means their stadium is available to host Shakhtar’s games without fixture clashes.
Shakhtar has confirmed that they anticipate playing at least four home games in the main phase of the competition. The specific opponents for these matches will be determined during the competition draw scheduled for next Thursday in Monaco.
The Ukrainian club has expressed gratitude to Chelsea Football Club for the opportunity to use Stamford Bridge, describing it as a special venue with significant history and atmosphere in world football. Both clubs believe that Shakhtar’s matches in London will offer memorable experiences for both Ukrainian and English fans.
Logistical and Historical Context
The move to Stamford Bridge is a temporary solution for Shakhtar, who have been unable to play in their home city of Donetsk since 2014 due to conflict in the Donbas region. Since then, the club has played its domestic matches in cities like Kyiv and Lviv within Ukraine.
For their European home games, Shakhtar has previously utilised stadiums in various European countries, including Germany, Slovenia, and Poland. The upcoming season will mark the first time the team plays a home game in England.
Chelsea’s involvement in hosting Shakhtar’s matches also follows a period where the clubs have developed a relationship. This connection was strengthened after Chelsea signed former Shakhtar winger Mykhaylo Mudryk in 2023 and through their participation in the charity match Game4Ukraine.
The agreement between the two clubs is understood to be non-commercial. Chelsea has stated that they will work closely with Shakhtar in the coming weeks to ensure that matchdays are conducted safely and smoothly for both the team and its supporters.
Community Engagement and Stadium Choice
The choice of Stamford Bridge was influenced by its capacity and Chelsea’s availability. Other London venues, such as Fulham’s Craven Cottage and Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium, were also considered as Shakhtar explored options for bringing elite European football to west London. However, these stadiums have smaller capacities compared to Stamford Bridge.
Officials involved in the arrangement believe that the prospect of playing Europe’s prominent clubs, or even English rivals, in London could help sell out a larger arena like Stamford Bridge.
This initiative is also intended to connect with the Ukrainian community in London and the wider United Kingdom. According to the latest figures, there are approximately 32,000 Ukraine-born residents in the capital, and about 100,000 people of Ukrainian heritage living in the UK.
The agreement is subject to regulatory approval from UEFA, the governing body of European football, and has also received approval from Hammersmith and Fulham Council.
Source: chelseafc.com
