Brentford in talks about hosting Champions League football next season

Brentford are in talks with Shakhtar Donetsk over hosting their Champions League games at the Gtech Community Stadium next season. 

Shakhtar are unable to play European matches in their homeland due to Ukraine’s ongoing conflict with Russia.

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Last season, the Ukrainian champions played their Conference League games in Poland, at Wisla Krakow’s Synerise Arena.

Having been forced to stage their home fixtures outside of their home country since 2022, Shakhtar used the Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen, Germany in the 2024/25 campaign.

In the forthcoming season, the Eastern European outfit will directly enter the league phase of the Champions League.

Statement made

Shakhtar are now once again weighing up their options over where they will make their home base, with the UK and Germany options.

And according to numerous reports, Brentford‘s 17,000-capacity home has emerged as a contender.

The Standard reports that negotiations are underway between the two clubs, as Shakhtar confirmed they were discussing a possible ground-share arrangement with several venues.

An official spokesperson for Shakhtar told the publication: “Shakhtar is currently negotiating with several venues in the United Kingdom and Germany in order to secure a host stadium for its UEFA Champions League matches next season.

“We will not comment on the process until a decision is announced in the near future.”

Suitable venue

The Gtech Community Stadium has been home to Brentford since 2020, as they bid farewell to their former ground Griffin Park.

Located next to west London’s Kew Bridge, it has been a Premier League venue since 2021, and can hold a total of 17,250 spectators.

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Brentford’s home stadium also complies with UEFA regulations on stadia hosting Champions League matches.

According to the BBC, the governing body would have no issue with Shakhtar playing at the Gtech.

The Bees have been known to rent out their stadium for non club-related fixtures – with England’s Lionesses having previously played there.

During the Women’s European Championship in 2021, the Gtech hosted four matches including Germany’s quarter-final win over Austria.

The 2025 Unity Cup was also held at the west London ground – an international football tournament which was held between Ghana, Nigeria, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago last year.

Deeper connection

Brentford has a strong connection to Ukraine, with surrounding areas Hounslow and Ealing having significant Ukrainian communities.

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The club have also run local projects to help displaced Ukrainian families.

In 2023, Brentford’s B team faced Ukraine in a friendly at the Cherry Red Records Stadium in Wimbledon three years ago.

Bees midfielder Yehor Yarmolyuk is also from Ukraine, and met families in the local area at the Gtech two years ago.

All the families in attendance were from Ukraine, but lived in the UK after fleeing their homeland following Russia’s invasion in 2022.