Shakhtar Donetsk to Play Champions League Matches at Stamford Bridge
Shakhtar Donetsk will play their Champions League home games at Stamford Bridge during the 2026/27 season after reaching an agreement with Chelsea. This arrangement allows the Ukrainian champions to host their matches in London while they remain displaced from their home stadium due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The team will play at least four matches at Chelsea's 40,044-capacity venue, which is located in an area with a significant Ukrainian population. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, many Ukrainians have settled in London, with approximately 45,000 new arrivals since then.
Shakhtar had previously considered other venues, including Brentford's Gtech Community Stadium, but opted for Stamford Bridge. Chelsea's own absence from European competition this season, following a disappointing finish in the Premier League, facilitated this arrangement. Shakhtar expressed gratitude for the opportunity to play at such a historic stadium, emphasizing the emotional significance for both Ukrainian and English fans.
