Special collaboration in dark times: Because top Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk will still not be able to play its matches in its own stadium in the 2024/2025 season, FC Schalke 04 will take on the role of host with its VELTINS-Arena. The Ukrainians will therefore play all Champions League matches at Schalke, both in the first new league phase and possible later matches.
The Russian war of aggression has changed the reality of life for the Ukrainian people in a terrifying way. While the unlawful attack has been progressing since 2022 and with increasing destruction, millions of people are still forced to flee Ukraine into an uncertain future. The city of Gelsenkirchen was and remains to this day a port of call for refugees seeking protection and safety far from home. Since the beginning of the war, FC Schalke 04 has supported initiatives and aid organizations that are working to provide refugees in Gelsenkirchen with a safe home.
Both associations also have similarities in their history due to their mining backgrounds. Good conditions for a constructive partnership. Matthias Tillmann, CEO of the Royal Blues: "We are very pleased about the cooperation and are proud that we can support Shakhtar Donetsk and make our stadium available as a venue for the first-class matches in the premier league. In addition, the tenancy also offers added value for our club at an economic level. Overall, this is a win-win situation for both clubs - we are very much looking forward to the matches and the collaboration."
Serhii Palkin, General Director of FC Shakhtar, on the partnership: "We are delighted to be able to play our matches in the UEFA Champions League in one of the best stadiums in Germany. Last season's positive experience shows that Shakhtar has strong support from the fans in this country, both from the locals and the Ukrainian refugees. This factor is very important for our club. We are grateful to the management of Schalke 04 and the city of Gelsenkirchen for their solidarity and have no doubts about our mutually beneficial cooperation. We are looking forward to the UEFA Champions League matches."
As Ukrainian soccer champions, Shakhtar Donetsk qualified for direct participation in the UEFA Champions League at the end of the 2023/2024 season. The matches in the league phase will take place on a total of eight match days between September 2024 and January 2025, four of which will be played in Gelsenkirchen. The opponents that head coach Marino Pusic's team will face in the VELTINS-Arena will be decided by lot on August 29. Shakhtar Donetsk fans will be accommodated in the north curve of the VELTINS-Arena, where they will find their home block away from home.
FC Schalke 04 will publish further information on ticket sales on its channels shortly.
