The Ukrainian team faces FC Barcelona outside Donetsk.
More than two thousand kilometers separate Donetsk from Hamburg, yet it is in that German city where the Champions League clash between Shakhtar Donetsk and Barcelona will unfold, marking the fourth matchday of the group stage.
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Why Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Will Barcelona play the 2023/24 Champions League in Hamburg (Germany) and not in Ukraine?
Shakhtar Donetsk, Barcelona’s opponent on the fourth day of group H in the 2023/24 Champions League, has frequently appeared as a regular rival in the 21st century. On this occasion, however, Xavi Hernández’s squad will not travel to Ukraine. The ongoing conflict following Russia’s invasion has forced Shakhtar Donetsk to stage home matches at the Volkspark Stadium in Hamburg, Germany.
The Volksparkstadion Hamburg opened its doors in 1953. A major renovation in 2000 transformed it into a modern football venue, better suited to the demands of contemporary top flight football. The arena has hosted pivotal matches in world soccer, including finals from the 1974 and 2006 FIFA World Cups and the 1988 UEFA European Championship. These events contribute to its legacy as a stage for memorable international football moments.
Under the current name, the stadium also welcomed the 2010 UEFA Europa League Final, a match in which Atletico Madrid edged Fulham after extra time, sealing a notable chapter in European club competition history.
Beyond football, the venue serves as a multifaceted hub for boxing events and concerts, reflecting its versatility as a city landmark. Hamburg has been a steady home for Shakhtar while Ukraine remains at war, and the venue’s selection underscores the complexities clubs face when balancing competition schedules with safety, travel logistics, and political realities.
As the group stage advances, the match becomes a focal point for fans in both countries and around the world who watch how teams adapt to extraordinary circumstances while pursuing advancement to the knockout rounds. The arrangement is a reminder that the modern game operates within a broader geopolitical context where competition continues despite disruption. [citation: Goal]