Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk has agreed to stage its Champions League home matches this season at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge, pending the necessary regulatory approvals.
Shakhtar has been unable to use its Donbas Arena since 2014, after Russia annexed the Donetsk region. Since then, it has played domestic fixtures in Kyiv and Lviv while hosting European games in Germany, Slovenia and Poland.
Chelsea, which missed out on European qualification last season, said it hopes to provide Shakhtar and its supporters with a home base in west London. “Shakhtar have played in countries across Europe, and we look forward to welcoming the side to London for its Champions League campaign this year,” Chelsea said in a statement on Friday.
“We will be working with the Shakhtar team closely over the coming weeks to ensure that matchdays run safely and smoothly for their team and supporters.”
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Shakhtar, which had also reportedly considered Brentford as a potential venue for its European home games, welcomed the arrangement. “Playing our Champions League home matches at Stamford Bridge is a special opportunity for Shakhtar. We are grateful to Chelsea Football Club for the opportunity to host our games at this special venue,” the club said.
“Stamford Bridge is one of the most famous stadiums in world football, with an incredible history and atmosphere. We are convinced that Shakhtar’s matches in London will provide unforgettable emotions for Ukrainian and English fans.”
(With inputs from AFP)
Published on Aug 21, 2026