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

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

Shakhtar Donetsk will play their home Champions League fixtures at Stamford Bridge during the 2026/27 season. The Ukrainian champions have reached an agreement with Chelsea to use the 40,044-capacity west London stadium after failing to secure a permanent return to their own grounds.

The move comes as Shakhtar remains in exile from the Donbas Arena. The club was forced to abandon its home stadium in May 2014 following the annexation of the Donetsk region by Russia and fighting between the Ukrainian armed forces and pro-Russian separatists. Since then, the club has staged domestic matches in Lviv and Kyiv, while European fixtures have been hosted across Germany, Slovenia, and Poland. Most recently, the club played European games in Ljubljana and Krakow.

The availability of Stamford Bridge follows a disappointing 2025/26 season for Chelsea, according to the club. After finishing 10th in the Premier League, the Blues failed to qualify for any European competition, leaving their stadium available for midweek use.

The decision to move to west London is subject to regulatory approvals, though Hammersmith and Fulham council and UEFA have already given the green light. The stadium is expected to host at least four matches, as Shakhtar automatically qualified for the league phase of the competition by winning the Ukrainian Premier League last season.

The location is strategically significant due to the Ukrainian population in the capital. While a 2021 census estimated 19,000 Ukrainians lived in London, around 45,000 more have arrived since the 2022 Russian invasion began. Other figures indicate 32,000 Ukraine-born residents live in London, with approximately 100,000 people of Ukrainian heritage residing across the UK. A high proportion of these individuals have settled in west London.

Chelsea previously considered the Gtech Community Stadium, the home of Brentford, as a possible venue before finalizing the deal with the Blues.

"Shakhtar have played in countries across Europe and we look forward to welcoming them to London for their Champions League campaign this year,"

Chelsea, official statement, via Independent

Chelsea added that they will work closely with the Shakhtar team in the coming weeks to ensure matchdays run smoothly and safely for both the team and their supporters.

Shakhtar described the arrangement as a special opportunity to play at one of the most famous stadiums in world football. In a statement, the club said:

"Stamford Bridge is one of the most famous stadiums in world football, with an incredible history and atmosphere. We are convinced that Shakhtar’s matches in London will provide unforgettable emotions for Ukrainian and English fans."

Shakhtar Donetsk, official statement, via Sky Sports

The transition occurs as Chelsea begins a new chapter under manager Xabi Alonso. The Blues are scheduled to open their Premier League campaign on Monday night in a London derby against Fulham at Craven Cottage.