Champions League Football Could Be Coming to the Gtech
Brentford FC in discussions to host Shakhtar Donetsk’s games
Paris St Germain could return after sending a team to the Robert Rowan Invitational. Picture: Brentford FC
June 27, 2026
Brentford FC is in talks to host Shakhtar Donetsk’s Champions League fixtures at the Gtech Community Stadium next season, in what would be one of the most high‑profile uses of the ground since the club joined the Premier League. The Bees declined to comment beyond confirming the accuracy of the reports, but discussions between the two clubs are understood to be active and ongoing.
The move comes at a moment when Brentford, who were agonisingly close to qualifying for European competition themselves last season, are looking to expand the ways the Gtech can generate revenue. Champions League football remained a possibility until the final weeks of the campaign, but missing out means the stadium will be free for midweek use. Earlier this week, the club also advanced plans to host live music events during the summer months. Both initiatives reflect the financial realities of modern football, where UEFA rules limit spending on wages and transfers in proportion to club revenues.
Shakhtar will enter directly into the league phase of the 2026–27 Champions League, playing eight matches, four of them designated as home fixtures. Their potential opponents include some of Europe’s biggest names, among them reigning champions Paris St Germain, Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Aston Villa. The Ukrainian champions had originally qualified for the third qualifying round but were moved into the league phase after Paris Saint‑Germain secured a place by winning Ligue 1.
If Shakhtar drew Paris St Germain, it would be a return to Lionel Road South for the French team who recently sent an under 21 team to contest the Robert Rowan Invitational match.
Because of Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, Shakhtar have been unable to play European matches in their home city and have spent recent seasons staging Champions League fixtures in Germany. These matches took place without incident and there is no record of any significant trouble taking place at Shakhtar’s games in Europe. A club official said that Shakhtar are currently negotiating with several venues in both the United Kingdom and Germany to secure a stadium for next season’s matches, adding that they would not comment further until a decision is announced.
Brentford’s stadium already meets UEFA’s requirements for hosting Champions League fixtures, and it is understood that European football’s governing body would raise no objections provided local authorities approve the arrangement. The club has a track record of renting out the Gtech for international friendlies, women’s tournaments such as the World Sevens Football event, and other non‑Brentford fixtures, viewing such partnerships as an important additional income stream.
If Shakhtar do choose west London, the scheduling landscape will be unusually favourable. With Chelsea and Tottenham both absent from European competition this season, only Arsenal and Crystal Palace will represent the capital. Palace’s Europa League fixtures are expected to fall largely on Thursdays, while Arsenal’s Champions League matches will rotate between Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Fewer clashes than usual would make the logistics of hosting Shakhtar significantly easier.
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