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Shakhtar seeks to host Champions League matches at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge

4 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 14, 2026, 7:46 PM

Last updated Aug 14, 2026

Shakhtar seeks to host Champions League matches at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge

Summary

Shakhtar Donetsk intends to play its Champions League home games at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge this season. The club has been unable to access its Donbas Arena since the 2014 conflict and has played its domestic matches in Kyiv and Lviv, and European matches in Germany, Slovenia, and Poland. Chelsea's stadium is favored due to its 40,000 capacity and the chance to connect with the Ukrainian community in London. Negotiations are ongoing, pending approval from local authorities and UEFA for additional fixtures. Chelsea, having finished 10th in the Premier League last season, is not competing in European tournaments this year, minimizing scheduling conflicts.

Source Links

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Key Details

•Shakhtar Donetsk wants Champions League matches at Stamford Bridge.
•The club lost its home venue in Donetsk due to conflict.
•Chelsea's stadium offers a larger capacity for fans.
•Negotiations are ongoing, but local authorities must approve.
•Chelsea is not in European competition this season.

Latest Updates

8:28 PMESPN Soccer — Sources: Shakhtar want Chelsea as UCL home
1:44 PMYahoo Sports — Shakhtar want to play Champions League ties at Chelsea
1:38 PMBBC Sport — Shakhtar want to play Champions League ties at Chelsea

What they're saying

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Shakhtar Donetsk's preferred home base for this season's Champions League is Chelsea's Stamford Bridge, a source has told ESPN.
— ESPN Soccerby Tom Hamilton