Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterWith Arsenal the only London club to finish in the Premier League's top five, Champions League games in the capital looked to be scarce on the ground next season.While the likes of Chelsea and Tottenham have been semi-regulars in Europes leading club competition in years gone by, that pair could only muster finishes of 10th and 17th respectively, as both missed out on European qualification completely.While Xabi Alonso and Roberto De Zerbi will be plotting a return to Europe, football fans in London may well have another option if they want to go and watch Champions League football in the upcoming campaign.Shakhtar set for London Champions League gamesThats because Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk, who have had to play their European ties abroad since Russias invasion of Ukraine, are set to play their home 2026/27 Champions League fixtures in London.Following recent negotiations, the clubs boss Arda Turan confirmed on Sunday that his side will be heading to England to fulfil their home fixtures. You may like Every club to have qualified for the 2026/27 Champions League How to watch the Champions League 2025/2026: TV coverage, live streams for final Arsenal's Champions League Final ticket allocation is a huge disappointment It looks like we'll be playing our European matches in London for now, he said following his sides pre-season friendly draw against Bursaspor. We really wanted to come to Turkey, but UEFA's conditions are putting a lot of pressure on us.Otherwise, playing in front of the fans in Bursa, Gztepe, Eskiehir has always been magnificent. We're expecting everyone in London too.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.Where Shakhtar will be playing has not yet been finalised, with the club approaching Chelsea, Fulham and Brentford about the possibility of using their respective stadiums earlier this month, as per The Athletic.All three of those clubs missed out on European football this season, so their grounds will be available, and it would provide the chosen side with an extra revenue stream, as the Ukrainian team, who have qualified for the competitions group stage, will pay them a fee.Shakhtar have played their recent home European matches in Germany, Slovenia and Poland since the war broke out four years ago. Domestically, they have lived a nomadic existence since 2014, when Russian troops annexed Crimea, meaning they were unable to play at the Donbas Arena.Chelseas Stamford Bridge is more than used to hosting European matches, having qualified for various UEFA competitions on a regular basis for the past 30 years.Fulhams Craven Cottage has undergone significant renovations in recent years, with the club having enjoyed three European campaigns since 2000.The newest stadium on Shakhtars shortlist is Brentfords Gtech Community Stadium, which opened in 2020. While the Bees have not yet qualified for Europe, the ground hosted matches at the womens European Championship in 2022 and has also held a number of international matches.TOPICSShakhtar DonetskJoe MewisSocial Links NavigationFor more than a decade, Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor. Mewis has had stints at Mirror Football and LeedsLive among others and worked at FourFourTwo throughout Euro 2024, reporting on the tournament. In addition to his journalist work, Mewis is also the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team. Now working as a digital marketing coordinator at Harrogate Town, too, Mewis counts some of his best career moments as being in the iconic Spygate press conference under Marcelo Bielsa and seeing his beloved Leeds lift the Championship trophy during lockdown.
