Shakhtar Donetsk, the Ukrainian football club, has reached an agreement to host their Champions League home games at Chelsea’s ground in London; the venue, Stamford Bridge, was for nearly two decades under the ownership of Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich. This arrangement comes as the club is unable to play in Ukraine due to the ongoing security concerns stemming from the Russian invasion.

Security Concerns Force Relocation

Shakhtar is scheduled to play at least four home matches in the elite Champions League, which begins next month; However, the club has been unable to play in Donetsk since 2014 when Russian-backed conflict erupted in the Donbas region. Since the full-scale invasion four years ago, the club has played these matches in various countries including Poland, Germany, and Slovenia.

“Our true home is Ukraine and we all hope that very soon we will be able to play European football in front of our own fans again,” said Shakhtar on Friday. “But while the war makes this impossible, Stamford Bridge is an exceptional place for us to call home in Europe.”

Change in Ownership of Chelsea

The decision to use Chelsea’s stadium is also influenced by the change in ownership of the club, though Abramovich was forced to sell Chelsea under pressure from British government sanctions following the Russian invasion. The current ownership group includes United States businessman Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali of Clearlake Capital.

Shakhtar has confirmed that it will play four home games in the main phase of the Champions League at Stamford Bridge, “subject to regulatory approvals” from UEFA. The specific opponents will be determined at the competition draw next Thursday in Monaco.

Since 2014, Shakhtar has played UEFA competition games in various locations across Ukraine and, since 2022, in Poland, Germany, and Slovenia, while this will be the first time the team plays a home game in England. Chelsea, which did not qualify for any UEFA competition this season, will not have any fixture clashes with Shakhtar.

Collaboration Between Clubs

Chelsea’s squad includes former Shakhtar winger Mykhaylo Mudryk, who has been a key player for the English club. “Over the coming weeks, we will work closely with Shakhtar to ensure the matches are held safely and comfortably for the team and its supporters,” Chelsea said in a statement.

Shakhtar’s decision to use Stamford Bridge reflects the ongoing impact of the war on European football, as clubs adapt to new circumstances to continue competing at the highest level. The club remains hopeful that peace will be restored soon, allowing them to return to their home in Ukraine.