Shakhtar Donetsk to host Champions League matches at Stamford Bridge

Shakhtar Donetsk has reached an agreement with Chelsea FC to host its home matches for the 2026/2027 UEFA Champions League league phase at Stamford Bridge in London. Chelsea officially confirmed the arrangement on August 21, 2026, noting that the agreement remains subject to final regulatory approvals.

This decision comes as the ongoing war in Ukraine continues to prevent the club from hosting international fixtures at the Donbas Arena. In recent years, due to these security constraints, Shakhtar has been forced to play its European home games in various locations across Germany, Slovenia, and Poland. While the club will now play its European matches in London, it continues to hold domestic league games in the city of Lviv.

Shakhtar representatives expressed gratitude to Chelsea for the opportunity to play at such a historic venue, highlighting the special atmosphere of the stadium. The move aims to provide a stable environment for their European campaign, with both clubs expecting to engage local fans in London during the upcoming season.