Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk has reached an agreement to play their Champions League home matches at Stamford Bridge, the home of Chelsea in London. Notably, the stadium was owned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich for nearly 20 years.
Shakhtar will play at least four home matches in Europe's most prestigious competition, with the fixtures expected to begin next month. However, the team cannot play in Ukraine due to security concerns stemming from Russia's military invasion that began in 2022.
According to an official announcement, Shakhtar will play four group-stage home games at Stamford Bridge, "subject to UEFA approval." Their opponents will be determined following the group-stage draw, which takes place on Thursday in Monaco.
Shakhtar Donetsk said: "Our true home is Ukraine and we hope to soon play European football in front of our fans. But while the war makes that impossible, Stamford Bridge is a great place for us to call home in Europe."
Shakhtar has been unable to play in Donetsk since 2014, when the Russian-backed conflict began in the Donbas region. From 2014 to 2021, the team played European cup matches at various venues in Ukraine. Since 2022, they have played in Poland, Germany, and Slovenia. This marks the first time the club will play a home match in England.
Chelsea's current squad includes midfielder Mykhaylo Mudryk, a former Shakhtar player. Chelsea did not qualify for any European competition this season, so there is no scheduling conflict with the Ukrainian champions.
Chelsea said: "In the coming weeks, we will work closely with Shakhtar to ensure the matches are held safely and comfortably for their team and fans."
