Shakhtar Donetsk to host Champions League home matches at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge

London agreement for European campaign

Shakhtar Donetsk and Chelsea confirmed on 21 August 2026 that the Ukrainian champions will play their home matches in the UEFA Champions League league phase at Stamford Bridge. The west London venue has a capacity of around 40,000 spectators and became available after Chelsea finished 10th in the Premier League last season, missing out on European qualification. The agreement ensures Shakhtar will stage at least four home fixtures in London during the upcoming European season. The arrangement remains subject to formal regulatory approval from UEFA. Shakhtar will learn the identity of their four home opponents during the league phase draw scheduled for 27 August 2026 in Monaco.

Twelve years of displacement

Shakhtar have been unable to stage matches at their home venue, the Donbas Arena, since Russian-backed conflict began in the Donbas region in 2014. Following Russia's full-scale military invasion in 2022, UEFA prohibited the staging of European cup fixtures anywhere inside Ukraine for security reasons. Domestically, the team has played home fixtures in Kyiv and Lviv, winning their 16th Ukrainian league championship last season by 12 points ahead of runners-up LNZ Cherkasy. For continental fixtures between 2022 and 2026, Shakhtar used stadiums across Poland, Germany, and Slovenia, hosting opponents in Warsaw, Krakow, Hamburg, Gelsenkirchen, and Ljubljana. British media reported that Shakhtar also evaluated using Brentford's ground in west London before concluding the agreement with Chelsea.

Operational coordination and statements

Both clubs emphasized safety and logistical preparation for Ukrainian and English spectators attending the upcoming matches. Chelsea stated that administrative staff from both sides will work together over the coming weeks to prepare matchday protocols. Chelsea's current squad includes Ukrainian winger Mykhaylo Mudryk, who transferred to the club from Shakhtar.

Our true home is Ukraine and we all hope that very soon we will be able to play European football in front of our own fans again. But while the war makes this impossible, Stamford Bridge is an exceptional place for us to call home in Europe.

Chelsea representatives also welcomed the Ukrainian champions for the forthcoming campaign.

Shakhtar have played in countries across Europe and we look forward to welcoming them to London for their Champions League campaign this year. We will be working closely with the Shakhtar team over the coming weeks to ensure that matchdays run safely and smoothly for their team and supporters.

Venue history and ownership transition

Stamford Bridge served as the home ground for Chelsea during the nearly two-decade ownership of Russian businessman Roman Abramovich. Following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the United Kingdom government imposed financial sanctions on Abramovich, compelling the sale of the football club. A consortium led by American businessman Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali of Clearlake Capital completed the purchase of the club later that year. The upcoming Champions League league phase fixtures will mark the first time that Shakhtar have hosted a home European fixture on English soil.