Chelsea have confirmed that Chakhtior Donetsk will play their Champions League matches at Stamford Bridge this season. The reason behind this move is the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has been led by Russia since nearly five years. Chakhtior Donetsk is unable to play matches on Ukrainian soil due to the war, which began in February 2022.
Chelsea's decision to make their stadium available to Chakhtior Donetsk is possible due to the club's non-qualification for a European Cup this season. This means that the London club will not be using their stadium for European competition matches. Chakhtior Donetsk had previously played their home matches in Hamburg, Germany, and Warsaw, Poland, but will now be playing at Stamford Bridge.
L'Équipe Football reported that Chelsea confirmed this decision on Friday, stating that they are making their stadium available to the Ukrainian team. The Champions League matches will be played at Stamford Bridge, with the exact dates and times yet to be confirmed.