Champions League: Shakhtar Donetsk moves to Stamford Bridge

As the war ravages Ukraine, Shakhtar Donetsk announced that all its Champions League matches will be played at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea’s stadium in London. The club has not set foot on the Donbass Arena since 2014, and the situation worsened after the outbreak of the conflict in February 2022.

A logistical deal born from Chelsea’s absence from Europe

The choice of Stamford Bridge results from a “loan” made possible because the Blues are not participating in European competitions this season, freeing up the stadium’s calendar. After considering Brentford and Fulham, Shakhtar finally opted for southwest London.

A strong political and community dimension

Sergei Palkin, Shakhtar’s general director, told the BBC that the move to England allowed Ukraine to become visible and to seek support from the democratic world. He highlighted the presence of a large Ukrainian diaspora in London, estimated at more than 217,000 people, who could fill the stands.

The club’s sporting director, former legend Darijo Srna, notes that Shakhtar has already played its European Cup matches in Germany (Veltins Arena) and in Poland (Stade Henryk Reyman). This season, the “home” will be Stamford Bridge, where the young players hope to develop in a legendary setting.

The first home match of the Champions League campaign will start this Wednesday against AEK Athens, after a 1‑1 draw with PSV Eindhoven. The club hopes that the atmosphere of the London stadium and the support of Ukrainian fans will create an extra motivation.

In addition to the sporting aspect, Palkin emphasized the club’s role as an ambassador for Ukraine, reminding that each match abroad serves to raise public awareness of the country’s situation.