Chelsea could host another club’s Champions League matches at Stamford Bridge

Aug 14, 2026 - 19:30

Stamford Bridge could play host to the Champions League in the upcoming season after Shakhtar Donetsk asked to play there.

It’s understood that the Ukrainian side want to play their home ties in Europe’s premier competition in west London.

Pedrinho of Shakhtar Donetsk celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 Quarter-Final first leg match between Shakhtar Donetsk and AZ Alkmaar — Shakhtar were in the Conference League last year, but they are back in the Champions League

Shakhtar haven’t been able to play at the Donbas Arena since 2014.

That is due to the Russia-backed annexation of Donetsk and the surrounding regions.

Negotiations are ongoing between the clubs with a strong relationship being developed.

This was, in part, down to the Mykhailo Mudryk transfer in January 2023 as well as their involvement in the Game4Ukraine.

There were other options with Fulham’s Craven Cottage and Brentford’s Gtech touted, but they appear to favour Stamford Bridge.

Why do Shakhtar Donetsk want Champions League games played in England?

Shakhtar reportedly hope to connect with an estimated 32,000 Ukraine-born residents living in London with this move to play Champions League games in the capital of England.

Due to the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, Shakhtar haven’t played a home game in 12 years.

They play domestic ‘home’ ties all across the unoccupied parts of Ukraine, but for European ties, they have played in many different stadia.

In the Conference League last year, they alternated between Krakow in Poland and Ljubljana, Slovenia.

But after winning the Ukrainian top-flight, they are back in the Champions League and will be in from the League Phase of the competition.

Stamford Bridge, home of Chelsea Football Club. — There will be no form of European football at Stamford Bridge this summer, so the ground is available

A general view of the pitch and stands at Stamford Bridge — Chelsea’s relationship with Shakhtar is very strong

Nothing has been confirmed by Shakhtar or Chelsea, but they did reveal earlier this summer that they were in talks about playing in England.

They said: “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.”

Shakhtar are one of two Ukrainian clubs to win a major European trophy, winning the UEFA Cup in 2009 by beating Werder Bremen.

2026/27 Champions League

Shakhtar are one of 29 teams to have automatically qualified for the Champions League.

There are still seven spots up for grabs, which are to be decided by a round of play-off games.

Mircea Lucescu hold the UEFA Cup trophy after their UEFA Cup final football match against Werder Bremen — Shakhtar have a strong European pedigree and are hoping to sell out Stamford Bridge

There are 14 teams remaining, with the winners from the two-legged ties sealing a place in the League Phase draw.

Among the teams competing to make it into the Champions League are Fenerbahce, Lyon, Celtic and Bodo/Glimt.

The draw for the League Phase is then scheduled to take place on Thursday, August 27.

It will take place in Monaco and is set to get going at 5pm UK time, where Shakhtar and all the rest of the Champions League sides find out what awaits.