Stamford Bridge will host Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League this season
Stamford Bridge
Stamford Bridge will host Champions League games this season (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
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Shakhtar Donetsk are set to play their Champions League fixture against AEK Athens at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night.
The 16-time Ukrainian champions have been unable to host foreign teams in the country since the start of Russia’s invasion in 2022, with all European club matches and national team games taking place abroad due to the security situation.
All four of their league phase “home” fixtures will take place at Chelsea’s west London home, part of a deepening of relations between the clubs that began with the sale of Mykhailo Mudryk to the Blues in 2023.
That means Shakhtar will play AEK Athens (Wednesday, October 14), Sporting CP (Tuesday, November 3), Fenerbahce (Wednesday, November 25) and Real Madrid (Wednesday, January 27) at Stamford Bridge this season.
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Ahead of the clash against AEK Athens, Shakhtar Donetsk manager Arda Turan was asked for his thoughts about playing in London instead of Ukraine. “We are not trying to make a drama, but we will underline this,” said Turan.
“We are living at war and children are dying in Ukraine. We are living with this, but we don’t accept it. We are looking on the positive side of being (in London) but we are dreaming of the day that we can play in Ukraine again.”
Turan was appointed by Shakhtar in 2025 and led them to the title in his first campaign, after they had been beaten to the crown by Dynamo Kyiv the previous season. The 39-year-old appeared emotional as he answered questions about the war in his adopted country.
A general view of the UEFA Champions League trophy ahead of the UEFA Champions League, league phase match at Stamford Bridge.
Shakhtar Donetsk will play their four Champions League league phase games at Stamford Bridge(Image: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire.)
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Asked how he was keeping his players focused on football rather than events in the country, he replied: “Me, I’m doing nothing because my players taught me how to live at war without showing excuses, always going on with the fight.
“I have an excellent group, not just the players but the staff, everyone in Ukraine. We are carrying the hopes of people. It’s not just for football purposes.”
Chelsea announced the agreement with Shakhtar Donetsk in August and said at the time the club "will be working with the Shakhtar team closely over the coming weeks to ensure that matchdays run safely and smoothly for their team and supporters".
Shakhtar said in their own statement: "Playing our Champions League home matches at Stamford Bridge is a special opportunity for Shakhtar. We are grateful to Chelsea Football Club for the opportunity to host our games at this special venue. Stamford Bridge is one of the most famous stadiums in world football, with an incredible history and atmosphere. We are convinced that Shakhtar’s matches in London will provide unforgettable emotions for Ukrainian and English fans."