Shakhtar Donetsk announced they will play their home matches in the 2026-27 UEFA Champions League group stage at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge in London [1, 2, 3]. This arrangement follows years of displacement caused by conflict in Ukraine. Shakhtar have been unable to play at their Donbas Arena in Donetsk since 2014 due to the Russian-backed conflict in the Donbas region [1, 2, 3]. The situation worsened when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, forcing the club to host European home matches outside Ukraine [1, 2, 3].
Since leaving Donetsk, Shakhtar have played domestic fixtures in Kyiv and Lviv, while European matches have taken place across several cities including Hamburg, Warsaw, Gelsenkirchen, Krakow, and Ljubljana before now moving to London [1, 2, 3]. Chelsea finished 10th in the Premier League in the 2025-26 season and failed to qualify for European competition, leaving Stamford Bridge available for Shakhtar to stage their matches [1, 2, 3]. The Stamford Bridge stadium holds around 40,000 spectators [1, 2].
Shakhtar will play at least four home group-stage Champions League matches at Stamford Bridge, subject to UEFA’s approval [3]. Chelsea, which was formerly owned by Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich until he was sanctioned by the UK government in 2022, is now owned by an American-led group including Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital [1, 2, 3]. Chelsea’s squad features Mykhaylo Mudryk, a former Shakhtar winger [3].
Both clubs said they will work closely to ensure matchdays are safe and well organized for players and fans [1, 2, 3]. Shakhtar expressed their gratitude to Chelsea, calling Stamford Bridge "one of the most famous stadiums in world football" and said they hope to return to playing European football in Ukraine soon [1, 3]. Chelsea said they look forward to welcoming Shakhtar and supporting a smooth Champions League campaign in London [1].
The UEFA Champions League group stage draw is scheduled for August 27 in Monaco and will determine Shakhtar’s opponents [3].
