Shakhtar Donetsk has confirmed that its home matches for the upcoming Champions League league phase will be held at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge. This arrangement was officially announced by both clubs on Friday, marking the latest chapter in the Ukrainian champions’ ongoing displacement from their home ground.
A History of Displacement
The club has been unable to utilize the Donbas Arena since 2014, when Russian-backed forces first entered the region. The situation worsened significantly following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Since leaving Donetsk, Shakhtar has played domestic matches in Kyiv and Lviv, while hosting European fixtures in Hamburg, Warsaw, Gelsenkirchen, Krakow, and Ljubljana.
Stamford Bridge Venue
The move to London follows Chelsea’s 10th-placed Premier League finish last season, which left the 40,000-capacity stadium available for Shakhtar’s Champions League campaign. Chelsea was formerly owned by Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, who faced UK government sanctions following the 2022 invasion, leading to the club’s sale to a group led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital.
Official Statements
- “We are grateful to Chelsea Football Club for the opportunity to host our games at this special venue,” Shakhtar stated, adding that the stadium’s history and atmosphere would provide “unforgettable emotions for Ukrainian and English fans.”
- Chelsea responded: “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.”
