Ukrainian soccer club Shakhtar Donetsk has reached an agreement to play its home matches for the upcoming UEFA Champions League at Stamford Bridge, the stadium of English club Chelsea.
Because of the ongoing full-scale Russian military invasion that began in February 2022, Shakhtar is unable to host matches in Ukraine for security reasons. The conflict-driven circumstances also previously forced Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich to sell Chelsea due to British government sanctions, with the club now owned by a group including Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali.
Subject to formal regulatory approval from UEFA, Shakhtar will host at least four home games in the tournament’s main phase at the London venue. Their specific opponents will be determined during the competition draw in Monaco.
While expressing a strong desire to eventually return to playing European football in front of their home supporters in Ukraine, club representatives noted that Stamford Bridge provides an exceptional temporary European home while the war continues. Prior to the 2022 invasion, the team had already been displaced from Donetsk since 2014 due to the Russian-backed conflict in the Donbas region. Between 2014 and 2021, Shakhtar played UEFA matches in various locations across Ukraine, and since 2022, they have hosted games in Poland, Germany, and Slovenia. They have never previously played a competitive home match in England.
Chelsea, whose roster includes former Shakhtar winger Mykhaylo Mudryk, did not qualify for any UEFA competitions this season, ensuring there will be no scheduling conflicts for the stadium. Chelsea officials stated that they will work closely with Shakhtar over the coming weeks to guarantee that the matches are conducted safely and comfortably for both the team and its supporters.
