Shakhtar Donetsk has confirmed that their home matches for the upcoming UEFA Champions League league phase will be held at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge. The announcement, made by both clubs on Friday, marks the latest chapter in the Ukrainian champions’ ongoing displacement from their home ground.
The club has been unable to utilize the Donbas Arena since 2014, when Russian-backed forces first entered the region. The situation worsened significantly following the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which forced the team to seek alternative venues across Europe. In recent years, Shakhtar has hosted European fixtures in cities including Hamburg, Warsaw, Gelsenkirchen, Krakow, and Ljubljana, while playing domestic matches in Kyiv and Lviv.
The opportunity to use the 40,000-capacity Stamford Bridge arose after Chelsea failed to qualify for European competition last season, following a 10th-place finish in the Premier League. This vacancy allows the London venue to host Shakhtar’s campaign. Chelsea, now under the ownership of a group led by American investor Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, was previously owned by Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich. Abramovich faced UK government sanctions following the 2022 invasion, which ultimately led to the club’s sale.
Expressing gratitude for the arrangement, Shakhtar stated that they are thankful for the chance to play at such a historic venue. The club noted that Stamford Bridge offers an incredible atmosphere and expressed confidence that the matches in London will create memorable experiences for both Ukrainian and English supporters.
Chelsea officials welcomed the agreement, confirming they look forward to hosting the team. The Premier League side stated they are working closely with Shakhtar to ensure that all matchdays are managed safely and efficiently for the visiting team and their fans throughout the duration of the Champions League campaign.
