Shakhtar Donetsk will play their Champions League residence video games at Stamford Bridge this season after coming to an settlement with Chelsea to host their European matches whereas they continue to be in exile from their Donbas Enviornment residence.
The Ukrainian aspect had been in search of a brand new momentary base for his or her continental video games and had been linked with holding them at Brentford’s Gtech Group Stadium, however will as a substitute journey a number of miles in the direction of central London to Chelsea’s 40,044-capacity residence.
On the time of the final UK census in 2021, an estimated 19,000 Ukrainians lived in London whereas round 45,000 have since arrived within the capital because the Russian invasion of Ukraine started in 2022 with a excessive proportion settled in west London the place Stamford Bridge is situated.
The stadium will host at the least 4 matches with Shakhtar robotically qualifying for the league section of this season’s competitors after successful the Ukrainian Premier League final season.
Chelsea pointed to their very own “disappointing 2025/26 season” as serving to them with the logistics of accommodating Shakhtar, as their very own Tenth-placed end within the Premier League means they won’t be taking part in European soccer this season.
In an announcement, Shakhtar mentioned: “Taking part in our Champions League residence matches at Stamford Bridge is a particular alternative for Shakhtar. We’re grateful to Chelsea for the chance to host our video games at this particular venue.
“Stamford Bridge is without doubt one of the most well-known stadiums in world soccer, with an unimaginable historical past and environment. We’re satisfied that Shakhtar’s matches in London will present unforgettable feelings for Ukrainian and English followers.”
Owing to the continued Russian invasion and occupation of the Donbas area since 2014, Shakhtar have been unable to play of their residence stadium since they had been pressured to desert it in Could of that 12 months and have largely used the Lviv Enviornment, over 700 miles away, for home residence video games ever since.
Extra lately, their European residence matches have been held throughout the continent, together with in Poland, Slovenia and Germany – and now at Stamford Bridge.