LONDON — The agreement is subject to regulatory approvals from UEFA, which has approved the plan. The opponents for these fixtures will be decided at the competition draw next Thursday in Monaco.

Shakhtar cannot play home games in Ukraine due to security reasons during the Russian military invasion that started in February 2022. The club has been unable to play in its native Donetsk since 2014, when a Russian-backed conflict began in the Donbas region. Shakhtar played UEFA competition games in various locations in Ukraine from 2014 to 2021. Since 2022, Shakhtar has played home UEFA competition games in Poland, Germany, and Slovenia.

Chelsea's squad includes former Shakhtar winger Mykhaylo Mudryk. Shakhtar won the Ukrainian Premier League title by 12 points last season, marking their 16th league championship in the country's history.

"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," Shakhtar Donetsk said in a club statement. "But while the war makes this impossible, Stamford Bridge is an exceptional place for us to call home in Europe." "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 club statement.

Why It Matters

This agreement shows the ongoing displacement of Ukrainian football clubs due to the conflict that began in 2014 and escalated in 2022. Shakhtar's need to find neutral venues for European competition has persisted for nine years, forcing the club to operate out of multiple countries including Poland, Germany, and Slovenia. The approval by UEFA provides a stable temporary base for the 16-time Ukrainian champions during the 2023-24 campaign.

The arrangement also reflects the broader impact of the war on sports infrastructure and international cooperation. With Chelsea absent from European competition, the club could offer its facilities without scheduling conflicts. The move ensures Shakhtar can continue to compete at the highest level of European football while maintaining safety standards that prevent matches from being held in active conflict zones.

What's New

UEFA has prohibited Shakhtar Donetsk from hosting European matches in Ukraine for safety reasons since 2014, following the Russian-backed annexation of Donetsk. Shakhtar Donetsk has played its European home games in the Polish city of Krakow during the 2022–23 season, as per UEFA's restrictions on hosting matches in Ukraine. Shakhtar Donetsk has played its European home matches in multiple countries since 2014, including Poland, Germany, and Slovenia, due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Chelsea FC did not qualify for European competition in the 2022–23 season, which allowed them to offer Stamford Bridge as a potential venue for Shakhtar's Champions League matches. Shakhtar Donetsk won the Ukrainian Premier League title by 12 points last season, marking their 16th league championship in the country's history. UEFA and Hammersmith and Fulham Council have approved the arrangement for Shakhtar Donetsk to play home Champions League matches at Stamford Bridge.

Mykhailo Mudryk, a former Shakhtar player, joined Chelsea in 2023, strengthening the relationship between the two clubs and potentially influencing the Stamford Bridge arrangement. Shakhtar Donetsk has not played a home match in England before, making the potential agreement with Stamford Bridge a historic first for the club.

How Sources Differ

Regarding Shakhtar Donetsk home games, Shakhtar Donetsk want Chelsea's Stamford Bridge as.. In contrast, Shakhtar Donetsk statement says that Shakhtar Donetsk has an agreement to play home Champions League games at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge.

On the topic of Shakhtar Donetsk home UEFA matches, Shakhtar Donetsk want Chelsea's Stamford Bridge as..

Concerning whether Shakhtar played games in UEFA Ukraine, Shakhtar Donetsk want Chelsea's Stamford Bridge as..

Regarding Shakhtar home games in Ukraine, Shakhtar Donetsk want Chelsea's Stamford Bridge as.. Conversely, Shakhtar Donetsk statement asserts that Shakhtar cannot play home games in Ukraine due to security reasons during the Russian military invasion that started in February 2022.

On the subject of Shakhtar Donetsk home matches, Shakhtar Donetsk want Chelsea's Stamford Bridge as.. Mentions that Shakhtar Donetsk has played its European home games in the Polish city of Krakow during the 2022–23 season, as per UEFA's restrictions on hosting matches in Ukraine. Additionally, newsdata reports that Fulham’s Craven Cottage and Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium were also considered as potential venues for Shakhtar Donetsk's home matches.

Regarding where Shakhtar played home games in UEFA competitions, Shakhtar Donetsk want Chelsea's Stamford Bridge as..

Concerning Chelsea Stamford Bridge Shakhtar Champions League details, Shakhtar Donetsk want Chelsea's Stamford Bridge as.. Explains that Chelsea FC did not qualify for European competition in the 2022–23 season, which allowed them to offer Stamford Bridge as a potential venue for Shakhtar's Champions League matches. Shakhtar Donetsk statement confirms that Shakhtar Donetsk has an agreement to play home Champions League games at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge.

On the matter of Stamford Bridge Shakhtar Champions League matches, Shakhtar Donetsk want Chelsea's Stamford Bridge as.. Newsdata adds that UEFA and Hammersmith and Fulham Council have approved the arrangement for Shakhtar Donetsk to play home Champions League matches at Stamford Bridge.