Overview
- Shakhtar will host its second-round Europa League qualifier against Beşiktaş Istanbul at Wisła Kraków’s ground, ending its use of Gelsenkirchen’s Veltins-Arena for European home matches.
- The club chose Kraków because it lies roughly 1,000 kilometers closer to Donetsk, aiming to ease travel logistics for players and staff.
- Since 2014, Shakhtar has been forced to stage European home fixtures outside Donetsk due to security concerns from the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine.
- After finishing third in the Ukrainian Premier League and missing out on the Champions League, the team entered the Europa League qualifying rounds.
- If Shakhtar advances past the second round, it plans to continue using Wisła Kraków’s stadium for all remaining home European matches.