Shakhtar Donetsk set to play Champions League matches at Stamford Bridge

Stamford Bridge is set to host Champions League football this season after Chelsea agreed to let Shakhtar Donetsk play their home European matches at the stadium.

The arrangement, which has been cleared by Hammersmith and Fulham Council as well as Uefa, will see at least four fixtures staged at the ground during the competition’s league phase, subject to final regulatory approval.

Chelsea confirmed the agreement is non-commercial and said the club will work alongside the Ukrainian club to oversee matchday operations and safety at the ground.

Shakhtar also explored using Fulham’s Craven Cottage or Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium.

They have been unable to play at their Donbas Arena since 2014, hosting domestic fixtures in Kyiv and Lviv while staging European ties across Germany, Slovenia, and Poland.

Chelsea have developed a good relationship with the club following Mykhailo Mudryk’s move in 2023 and their involvement in the Game4Ukraine charity event.