Shakhtar Donetsk has secured a significant agreement with Chelsea to play their Champions League home games at Stamford Bridge this season. This arrangement comes as the Ukrainian side continues to be exiled from their original home at Donbas Arena due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Initially, Shakhtar had explored options to host their matches at Brentford's Gtech Community Stadium, but ultimately decided on the iconic Stamford Bridge, which boasts a capacity of 40,044.

The decision is particularly poignant given the growing Ukrainian community in London, which has seen an influx of around 45,000 Ukrainians since the Russian invasion began in 2022. Notably, as of the 2021 UK census, approximately 19,000 Ukrainians were already residing in London, with many settled in the west London area where Stamford Bridge is located.

Shakhtar is set to play at least four matches at this historic venue after automatically qualifying for the league phase of the Champions League by winning the Ukrainian Premier League last season.

Chelsea's own disappointing finish in the 2025/26 season, where they placed 10th in the Premier League and missed out on European football, has facilitated this logistical arrangement.

In a heartfelt statement, Shakhtar expressed gratitude towards Chelsea, stating:

Playing our Champions League home matches at Stamford Bridge is a special opportunity for Shakhtar. We are convinced that Shakhtar's matches in London will provide unforgettable emotions for Ukrainian and English fans.

Since being forced to leave their home stadium in May 2014, Shakhtar has played in various locations for their home games, including venues in Poland, Slovenia, and Germany. Now, they look forward to a new chapter at Stamford Bridge.