Brentford Football Club is currently engaged in discussions with Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk regarding the possibility of hosting their UEFA Champions League matches at the Gtech Community Stadium for the upcoming 2026-27 season. The unexpected move could see top-tier European football played in west London, despite Brentford themselves not qualifying for continental competition.
Shakhtar Donetsk has secured a direct entry into the league phase of the Champions League. Their qualification initially placed them in the third qualifying round, but a reshuffle occurred after Paris Saint-Germain, who had already qualified via winning Ligue 1, also secured the Champions League title. This promoted Shakhtar directly into the main competition.
Due to Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine, Shakhtar has been unable to play their European fixtures within their home country. In the previous season, the club's 'home' matches were staged across various venues, including Ljubljana in Slovenia and Krakow in Poland. A Shakhtar official confirmed that negotiations are underway with several venues in both the United Kingdom and Germany to find a suitable host stadium for their Champions League campaign, though they declined to comment on specific details until a decision is announced.
The Gtech Community Stadium is understood to comply with UEFA's stringent regulations for venues hosting Champions League matches. Sources suggest that UEFA would have no objections to the arrangement, provided local authorities grant the necessary permissions. Brentford has a history of renting out its stadium for various events, including non-England international friendly matches and the Women's World Sevens football tournament, viewing such opportunities as an important additional revenue stream for the club.
With London clubs Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur both failing to qualify for European competitions next season, Arsenal and Crystal Palace are the only other London teams set to feature. Crystal Palace's Europa League fixtures are likely to be played predominantly on Thursdays. Arsenal's Champions League matches, like Shakhtar's, will rotate between Tuesdays and Wednesdays, potentially easing any scheduling conflicts that might have arisen in previous seasons with multiple London clubs competing.