Shakhtar Donetsk Seeks Stamford Bridge for Champions League Home Games
Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk is in discussions to use Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge as its venue for Champions League home games this season. Since the 2014 Russia-backed annexation of Donetsk, Shakhtar has been unable to utilize their Donbas Arena, opting for alternative locations in Kyiv, Lviv, Germany, Slovenia, and Poland for their matches.
Current negotiations indicate a strong preference for Stamford Bridge, which has a capacity of 40,000. Sources close to the situation emphasize that the move is not driven by commercial interests. Instead, it stems from the clubs’ established rapport, particularly after Chelsea acquired Mykhailo Mudryk in 2023 and their joint participation in the charity event Game4Ukraine.
While Fulham’s Craven Cottage and Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium were also viable options, Shakhtar believes that Stamford Bridge’s larger capacity will enhance their chances of filling the venue, especially when facing top-tier European teams and English rivals.
This initiative aims to engage with the Ukrainian diaspora in London, which numbers approximately 32,000, as per the latest Office for National Statistics data, contributing to a wider community of around 100,000 people of Ukrainian heritage across the UK.
Chelsea’s stadium is currently available following the club’s 10th-place finish in the Premier League last season, which left them out of European competition. This situation reduces the likelihood of scheduling conflicts, though it will require approval from both Hammersmith and Fulham Council and UEFA to accommodate additional fixtures.
Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk want to play their Champions League home games at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge this season.
Shakhtar have been unable to use their Donbas Arena since the 2014 Russia-backed annexation of Donetsk, playing domestic matches in Kyiv and Lviv, and European home games in Germany, Slovenia and Poland.
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Negotiations are ongoing according to Ukrainian sources, with Chelsea providing the preferred option because of the chance to play at the Blues’ 40,000-capacity stadium.
Sources have stressed the move is not commercially motivated, with the clubs having built a strong relationship since Chelsea signed Mykhailo Mudryk in 2023 and through their involvement in the charity match Game4Ukraine.
Fulham’s Craven Cottage and Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium were also considered as Shakhtar explored options for bringing elite-level European football to west London.
However, both have smaller capacities than Stamford Bridge and the proposition of playing Europe’s biggest clubs or even English rivals in London has officials believing they can sell out a larger arena.
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The move is intended to connect with some of the 32,000 Ukraine-born residents in the capital, according to the latest Office for National Statistics figures, with about 100,000 people of Ukrainian heritage living in the UK.
The availability of Chelsea’s stadium follows the club’s 10th-place Premier League finish last season, which left them without European football.
That means there should be no significant scheduling clashes, though Hammersmith and Fulham Council, and Uefa, would need to approve additional fixtures.
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