Shakhtar to play Champions League home games at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge

Shakhtar Donetsk will host their Champions League league phase matches at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge stadium this season, both clubs announced Friday. The Ukrainian champions have been unable to use their home ground, the Donbas Arena, since 2014 when Russian-backed forces entered the region. Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022 further displaced the club.

Since leaving Donetsk, Shakhtar has played domestic matches in Kyiv and Lviv. They have hosted European fixtures in various cities across Europe, including Hamburg, Warsaw, Gelsenkirchen, Krakow, and Ljubljana. The decision to play in London follows Chelsea's failure to qualify for European competition last season after finishing 10th in the Premier League, which left Stamford Bridge available.

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We are grateful to Chelsea Football Club for the opportunity to host our games at this special venue. Stamford Bridge is one of the most famous stadiums in world football, with an incredible history and atmosphere. We are convinced that Shakhtar's matches in London will provide unforgettable emotions for Ukrainian and English fans.

"We are grateful to Chelsea Football Club for the opportunity to host our games at this special venue," Shakhtar said in a statement. "Stamford Bridge is one of the most famous stadiums in world football, with an incredible history and atmosphere. We are convinced that Shakhtar's matches in London will provide unforgettable emotions for Ukrainian and English fans."

Chelsea, formerly owned by Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, was sold to a consortium led by American investor Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital after Abramovich was sanctioned by the UK government following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Stamford Bridge has a capacity of approximately 40,000 spectators. Chelsea stated, "Shakhtar have played in countries across Europe and we look forward to welcoming them to London for their Champions League campaign this year. We will be working closely with the Shakhtar team over the coming weeks to ensure that matchdays run safely and smoothly for their team and supporters."

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Shakhtar have played in countries across Europe and we look forward to welcoming them to London for their Champions League campaign this year. We will be working closely with the Shakhtar team over the coming weeks to ensure that matchdays run safely and smoothly for their team and supporters.