Shakhtar Donetsk in talks with London clubs over Champions League venue

Shakhtar Donetsk are holding talks with three Premier League clubs, including Chelsea, about hosting the Ukrainian side's home Champions League matches next season. The Ukrainian champions are seeking a venue outside their own country because they remain unable to stage European fixtures at home.

Shakhtar have been unable to use their Donbas Arena since 2014, first because of conflict in the region and then Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. While the club has been able to play domestic home matches in other Ukrainian cities, UEFA competition matches have had to be moved abroad. Last season they split their home Conference League fixtures between Ljubljana in Slovenia and Krakow in Poland.

Which stadiums are in the frame?

• Chelsea's Stamford Bridge is one of the options under discussion, according to reports.
• Fulham's Craven Cottage and Brentford's Gtech Community Stadium are also potential hosts, The Athletic reported.
• None of the three clubs are competing in European competition themselves next season.
• Shakhtar's own statement said talks cover venues in both the United Kingdom and Germany.

A Shakhtar official said last month: "Shakhtar is currently negotiating with several venues in the United Kingdom and Germany in order to secure a host stadium for its UEFA Champions League matches next season. We will not comment on the process until a decision is announced in the near future." The club has not indicated when an announcement is expected.

Shakhtar's European record

Shakhtar have appeared in the Champions League group stage or league phase on 19 previous occasions, most recently in the 2024/25 campaign. Their deepest run came in 2010/11, when they reached the quarter-finals and were eliminated by eventual winners Barcelona. The club is also one of only two Ukrainian sides, alongside Dynamo Kyiv, to have won a major European trophy, beating Werder Bremen in the 2009 UEFA Cup final. Having regained the Ukrainian Premier League title, they return to the Champions League next season at the league phase.

Shakhtar are not the only side with a London presence in European football next season, although the capital's representation is limited. Arsenal and Crystal Palace are the only London clubs in UEFA competition, with Palace qualifying for the Europa League after winning last season's Conference League — a run that included a semi-final win over Shakhtar.

The draw for the Champions League league phase takes place on 27 August at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland. Paris Saint-Germain go in as reigning champions after beating Arsenal on penalties in last season's final, while five Premier League clubs — Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool and Aston Villa — have qualified for the league phase. Shakhtar's choice of host venue is expected to be confirmed before the competition begins.