Stamford Bridge Emerges as Shakhtar’s London Champions League Choice
Shakhtar Donetsk want to make Stamford Bridge their Champions League home this season, with Chelsea’s ground the preferred option in an arrangement that has not yet been finalised.
Shakhtar’s preferred venue for European nights
According to ESPN, Shakhtar’s preferred home base for this season’s Champions League is Stamford Bridge. The Ukrainian champions have previously played their home European fixtures in Germany, Slovenia and Poland, but they wanted a London base this time around.
ESPN reports that nothing has been agreed regarding where the club will play its games next season. Shakhtar shortlisted three London options – Fulham’s Craven Cottage, Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium and Stamford Bridge – before Chelsea’s ground emerged as the frontrunner, pending a final signed agreement.
Why Stamford Bridge makes sense for Shakhtar
Shakhtar have not played a match at their Donbas home since May 2014. After Russian-backed separatists invaded eastern Ukraine that year, the club began a nomadic existence domestically, staging home games in Lviv, Kharkiv and Kyiv.
When Russia’s full-scale invasion followed in February 2022, Shakhtar’s European fixtures were moved outside Ukraine entirely, with home games played across Poland, Slovenia and Germany. Each relocation has required lengthy coach travel out of Ukraine and, at times, a further flight; the same routine has applied to away matches. This season, the club want to base themselves in London.
What the request means for Chelsea
Hosting another club’s Champions League matches at Stamford Bridge would be a new arrangement for Chelsea. ESPN reports that Shakhtar are set to play their European matches at Chelsea’s 40,000-capacity home in west London if the final agreement is signed.
The possibility remains subject to that agreement, with Fulham and Brentford among the other London venues Shakhtar considered.
What happens next
For now, this remains a request rather than a completed arrangement. ESPN’s reporting is clear that nothing has been signed off, even as Stamford Bridge is treated as the expected destination.
A final agreement and the remaining paperwork are still required before Stamford Bridge can be confirmed as Shakhtar’s venue. Until then, the club’s plans for its Champions League home matches remain unconfirmed.
