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ConflictUnited Kingdom·21 Aug 2026 · 5d ago

Shakhtar to use Stamford Bridge for Champions League home matches

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Ukrainian football club Shakhtar Donetsk reached an agreement to host their four upcoming Champions League home matches at Stamford Bridge in London. The move was necessitated by security concerns stemming from the ongoing Russian military invasion of Ukraine, which has prevented the club from playing in their home country since 2022. The stadium, formerly owned by Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich before he was forced to sell due to British government sanctions, is currently owned by a group including Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali. This arrangement marks the first time Shakhtar will play home games in England, having previously hosted matches in Poland, Germany, and Slovenia.

Consequences

Shakhtar Donetsk will coordinate with Chelsea to manage logistics and safety for their supporters and the team throughout the competition phase. The partnership remains subject to final regulatory approvals from UEFA ahead of the upcoming tournament draw.

Sources

Al Jazeera
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