Shakhtar Donetsk to play Champions League games in Gelsenkirchen

Shakhtar Donetsk will play their Champions League matches at Schalke's stadium in the German city of Gelsenkirchen in the coming season.

Due to Russia's war in Ukraine, Shakhtar played their European matches in the likes of Warsaw and Hamburg last term. Now they are making the ground of German second-division side Schalke their home from home.

"We are delighted to be able to play our matches in one of the best stadiums in Germany. Last season's positive experience shows that Shakhtar have strong support from the fans in this country, both from the locals and from Ukrainian refugees," Shakhtar general director Serhii Palkin said in a Schalke statement on Tuesday.

The matches in the revamped league phase will take place on a total of eight match days between September and January 2025. Four of these will be played in Gelsenkirchen.