Shakhtar Donetsk to Play Champions League Matches at Stamford Bridge
Shakhtar Donetsk will play their Champions League home matches at Stamford Bridge for the 2026/27 season after reaching an agreement with Chelsea. This arrangement comes as the Ukrainian champions remain exiled from their home ground, the Donbas Arena.
The decision to host the matches at Chelsea's stadium, which has a capacity of 40,044, follows Shakhtar's search for a temporary venue. Although they were previously linked with Brentford's Gtech Community Stadium, they opted for Stamford Bridge, located in an area with a significant Ukrainian population.
Shakhtar is set to play at least four matches in London, having qualified for the league phase after winning the Ukrainian Premier League last season. Chelsea's inability to participate in European competitions this season, following a disappointing finish in the Premier League, facilitated this arrangement. Shakhtar expressed gratitude to Chelsea for the opportunity, highlighting the significance of playing at such a historic venue.
