Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk will use Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge as their home ground for matches in the league phase of this season’s UEFA Champions League.
The arrangement was confirmed by both clubs on Friday, providing Shakhtar with a prestigious London venue as they continue to play their European fixtures away from their traditional home in Donetsk because of the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Shakhtar have been unable to return to the Donbas Arena since 2014, when Russian-backed forces took control of parts of the Donetsk region.
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 further forced the club to relocate its football operations and home fixtures.
Since leaving Donetsk, Shakhtar have moved between several Ukrainian and European cities for their matches.
They have played domestic games in Kyiv and Lviv, while their European campaigns have taken them to venues in Hamburg, Warsaw, Gelsenkirchen, Krakow and Ljubljana.
The decision to stage their Champions League home games at Stamford Bridge follows Chelsea’s absence from European competition this season.
The London club finished 10th in the Premier League last season, leaving its historic stadium available for Shakhtar’s European campaign.
Shakhtar expressed appreciation to Chelsea for making Stamford Bridge available, describing the stadium as one of the most iconic venues in football.
The Ukrainian club said it expects the move to London to create a memorable experience for both Ukrainian and English supporters, while also providing a suitable venue for its Champions League fixtures.
Chelsea, meanwhile, said the club was looking forward to welcoming Shakhtar and working with the Ukrainian side to ensure that matchdays are conducted safely and efficiently for players, officials and supporters.
Stamford Bridge, which holds approximately 40,000 spectators, has a long history of hosting major domestic and European matches and will now provide Shakhtar with a high-profile temporary home for their Champions League campaign.
The move also carries an unusual historical dimension. Chelsea were previously owned by Russian businessman Roman Abramovich, who was sanctioned by the British government following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The sanctions ultimately led to the sale of Chelsea to a consortium led by American businessman Todd Boehly and investment firm Clearlake Capital.
For Shakhtar, playing their Champions League home matches in London represents another chapter in the club’s long-running search for a temporary home while the conflict prevents a return to Donetsk.
The Ukrainian champions will therefore enter the new Champions League campaign with Stamford Bridge serving as their adopted home, bringing European football from Donetsk to one of London’s most historic football grounds.
