Chelsea have confirmed that Shakhtar Donetsk will use Stamford Bridge as their home ground for all four of their 2026/27 UEFA Champions League group-stage fixtures, pending final regulatory approvals.

The agreement gives the Ukrainian champions a London base to compete in European football while war continues to make hosting matches in Ukraine impossible. Shakhtar were forced to abandon the Donbas Arena after Russian troops invaded Crimea and conflict broke out in the region in 2014.

Why Stamford Bridge?

Shakhtar considered a number of alternative venues in London — including Brentford — before settling on Chelsea's ground. The timing works in Chelsea's favour too: the club did not qualify for European competition this season, leaving Stamford Bridge free of scheduling conflicts.

Chelsea addressed the arrangement in an official statement: