Donetsk Shakhtar has determined its strategic plan for the 2026/27 Champions League season. The management of the Ukrainian champions has decided to relocate their home base to the United Kingdom. Official club representatives are already in London to finalize negotiations with local arenas.

According to information provided by the authoritative British publication The Athletic, the 'miners' are considering options to rent stadiums from three English Premier League clubs. The choice has fallen on teams that did not qualify for European competitions this season, which significantly simplifies logistics and scheduling.

Three London options

The list of potential partners for the Ukrainian giant includes three capital clubs:

  • 'Chelsea' and their legendary 'Stamford Bridge' stadium;
  • 'Brentford' and the 'Gtech Community Stadium' arena;
  • 'Fulham' and 'Craven Cottage' stadium.

Experts assess the chances of successfully concluding negotiations as very high. The lack of Champions League obligations for potential partners in the current season makes their schedule free and convenient for hosting additional matches.

Safety and economics

The move to the British Isles is not just a change of location, but a calculated strategic decision by management. The key factor, of course, remains safety. However, the club is also betting on financial success.

British fans traditionally show huge interest in Champions League matches. High purchasing power and a dense audience could ensure Shakhtar record profits from ticket sales and commercial rights. This will become an important source of income for the club given the complex geopolitical situation.

A road spanning years

The history of Shakhtar's forced relocations now spans more than a decade. After the start of the Russian aggression in 2014, the club was forced to leave its home stadium, 'Donbass Arena'. In the period up to 2022, the 'miners' hosted opponents in European competitions at stadiums in Lviv and Kharkiv.

With the start of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, home matches had to be moved abroad. Previously, arenas in Poland and Germany served as a refuge for the team. Now, London is being considered as a new, more stable and profitable point on the map for hosting the most important matches of the season.