Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk have confirmed that they will play their UEFA Champions League home matches at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge during the 2026/27 season.
The agreement gives Shakhtar an opportunity to stage their European fixtures at one of the most recognisable stadiums in world football, despite continuing to face the consequences of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Chelsea also confirmed the arrangement, which remains subject to the necessary regulatory approvals.
The decision means Stamford Bridge will once again host Champions League football this season, but in an unusual situation because Chelsea themselves will not be participating in Europe’s elite competition.
Shakhtar welcomed the opportunity, describing the London venue as a special place for their European campaign. The Ukrainian club expressed gratitude to Chelsea for allowing them to use the stadium and said they expect their matches in London to create memorable experiences for both Ukrainian and English supporters.
The arrangement is a significant development for Shakhtar, who have been unable to play their European home fixtures in Donetsk for more than a decade because of the conflict in eastern Ukraine. Since being displaced from their traditional home, the club has repeatedly had to establish temporary European bases in other countries.
Shakhtar have previously played European home matches in Germany, Poland and Slovenia, among other locations. The move to London therefore represents another chapter in the club’s long-running search for a suitable home away from home.
The choice of Stamford Bridge is also significant because of the stadium’s history and atmosphere. The west London ground has been Chelsea’s home for more than a century and has hosted some of the biggest matches in European football.
For Shakhtar, playing there provides more than just a suitable venue. It gives the club an opportunity to establish a temporary connection with a large Ukrainian community living in London and across the United Kingdom.
The decision also reflects the strong relationship that has developed between Shakhtar and Chelsea in recent years. Their links were strengthened through the transfer of Ukrainian winger Mykhailo Mudryk to Chelsea and through joint initiatives involving Ukrainian football and humanitarian causes.
Chelsea, meanwhile, are looking forward to helping Shakhtar organise their European fixtures at Stamford Bridge. The club has said it will work closely with the Ukrainian side to ensure that matchdays are safe and run smoothly for players, staff and supporters.
The arrangement creates an unusual footballing scenario. Chelsea supporters will see Champions League football return to Stamford Bridge, but instead of watching their own team compete in Europe’s premier club competition, they will have the opportunity to watch Shakhtar host some of Europe’s leading teams.
For Shakhtar, the challenge will be to turn the unfamiliar surroundings into a genuine home advantage.
Playing at home traditionally provides teams with familiarity, crowd support and established routines. Shakhtar have had to repeatedly adapt to different stadiums during their prolonged exile, making consistency particularly important as they prepare for another Champions League campaign.
The club’s return to the Champions League is also an important sporting achievement. Shakhtar remain one of Ukraine’s most successful football clubs and have consistently represented the country on the European stage despite the enormous difficulties created by the conflict.
Their temporary move to London demonstrates how football clubs can adapt when circumstances make it impossible to operate normally.
The club will now look to create a strong atmosphere at Stamford Bridge by encouraging Ukrainian supporters in London and elsewhere in Britain to attend their matches. The presence of a sizeable Ukrainian community in the capital could help make the stadium feel considerably more familiar to the players.
There is also an emotional dimension to the decision. Shakhtar’s inability to play in Donetsk has meant that generations of supporters have had to watch their team compete away from its traditional home. Stamford Bridge cannot replace the Donbas Arena, but it can provide a prestigious stage on which the club can continue its European journey.
The 2026/27 Champions League campaign will therefore carry significance beyond the results on the pitch.
Every Shakhtar home fixture in London will represent another reminder of the club’s resilience and determination to remain competitive at the highest level of European football despite circumstances beyond its control.
For Chelsea, the arrangement ensures that Stamford Bridge remains part of the Champions League landscape even though the Blues will not be competing in the tournament this season.
For Shakhtar, it provides a world-class temporary home and an opportunity to connect more closely with Ukrainian supporters in Britain.
The Champions League league phase draw is scheduled for later this month, meaning Shakhtar will soon discover which European heavyweights will travel to west London for their so-called home fixtures.
One thing is already certain: when the Champions League anthem returns to Stamford Bridge, it will carry a very different meaning this time.
The famous Chelsea stadium will become a temporary home for a Ukrainian club that has spent more than a decade searching for stability away from Donetsk.
And for Shakhtar Donetsk, every Champions League night at Stamford Bridge will be another opportunity to prove that, despite the challenges surrounding the club, Ukrainian football remains firmly present on Europe’s biggest stage.
