sports
Shakhtar Donetsk Weighs Brentford Among Possible Hosts for 2026-27 Champions League Matches
Brentford and Shakhtar Donetsk are discussing use of the Gtech Community Stadium for the Ukrainian side's 2026-27 Champions League home fixtures. Shakhtar enters the league phase directly after Paris St-Germain's qualification shifted its path.
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uk reported. Shakhtar will enter the league phase directly after Paris St-Germain's Ligue 1 title moved the Ukrainian side forward from the third qualifying round. The club has played its European home games outside Ukraine since Russia's invasion began, using venues in Ljubljana, Slovenia, and Krakow, Poland, during the prior season.
Discussions between the clubs remain active. A Shakhtar official stated that the club is negotiating with several venues in the United Kingdom and Germany and will not comment further until a decision is announced. The Gtech Community Stadium meets UEFA regulations for Champions League matches, and UEFA has raised no objection provided local authorities approve.
Brentford has previously rented the venue for non-England international friendlies and the World Sevens Football tournament. The stadium hosted four matches at the 2021 Women's European Championship, a 2023 men's friendly between Australia and New Zealand, the 2025 Unity Cup, and the 2026 Women's World Sevens tournament in May. Brentford has used the ground for its own matches since 2020.
With Chelsea and Tottenham absent from European competition next season, Arsenal and Crystal Palace are the only London clubs set to participate. Arsenal's Champions League fixtures are expected to rotate between Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
