Shakhtar Prefers Champions League Matches at Stamford Bridge

Shakhtar Donetsk is keen on playing their home matches in the Champions League next season at Stamford Bridge, as negotiations with Chelsea continue regarding hosting the games.

Shakhtar had explored several venues in the English capital, including Fulham and Brentford's stadiums, before Stamford Bridge emerged as the closest option, especially since Brentford's capacity does not exceed 17,000 spectators, while Chelsea's ground accommodates over 40,000.

The Ukrainian club's desire to move its matches to London comes after it has continued to play its European games outside Ukraine in recent years, due to the ongoing circumstances in the country. Shakhtar is looking for an appropriate venue to host its matches in the continental competition.

Despite progress in communications, a final agreement has yet to be reached between Shakhtar and Chelsea. Reports indicate that negotiations are not being handled by the London club as a purely commercial deal, given the desire to support the Ukrainian club and provide it with a suitable venue for hosting its European matches.

Final details are expected to be confirmed soon, making Stamford Bridge a strong candidate to host Shakhtar's matches in the 2026-2027 Champions League.