Football

Where do Ukraine play home games? Venue for matches including England Euro 2024 qualifying match

The September round of Euro 2024 qualifying matches throws up some important fixtures in the race to secure a place in the final competition next summer.

The compacted schedule is a knock-on from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, which was held in November and December last year, with European sides required to play more games in a tighter window on the calendar.

Within the incoming set of fixtures is an eye-catching clash between Ukraine and England as Gareth Southgate’s side aim to maintain their winning start to the qualification campaign.

However, despite this fixture being designated as a ‘home’ game for Ukraine, it must be played at a neutral venue due to the ongoing conflict following Russia’s invasion last year.

Having to move around their official home games during qualifying has been an added difficulty for Serhiy Rebrov’s side in their bid to secure a place at the finals. Here’s a look at where they’ve had to stage these matches.

MORE: Euro 2024 qualifying group tables, standings, fixtures and results

Where do Ukraine play home games?

Since February 2022, Ukraine have opted against playing international games in their home nation, with UEFA and FIFA working with the Ukrainian FA to make alternate arrangements.

Away matches have also been disrupted, with their 2022 World Cup playoff semifinal against Scotland moved from March to June before UEFA Nations League ‘home’ matches against Armenia and the Republic of Ireland were switched to the Polish city of Lodz.

From September 2022 onwards, Ukraine have played two home games outside their national borders, against Scotland in Krakow and Malta in Trnava, Slovakia.

The meeting with England will mean a return to Poland, as they face the Three Lions at Stadion Wroclaw in the southwest city of Wroclaw on September 9.

Ukraine’s final two home matches of the Euro 2024 qualifying schedule, against North Macedonia in October and Italy in November, do not have a confirmed location, with Poland expected to remain as their temporary base.

Where do Ukraine usually play home games?

Prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, home international matches were played across various venues in the country, with the main options in the capital city Kyiv.

Following its separation from the Soviet Union in 1991, Ukraine have used 12 different stadiums for international games, with over half played at either the Olimpiyskiy National Sports Complex or the Valeriy Lobanovskyi Dynamo Stadium, both based in Kyiv.

Ukraine also co-hosted the Euro 2012 tournament with Poland, with four stadiums used, including the Olimpiyskiy National Sports Complex alongside other sites in Donetsk, Kharkiv and Lviv.

Do Ukrainian clubs still play league games?

The Ukrainian Premier League was suspended in April 2022, in the final weeks of the 2021/22 domestic season, due to the impact of the war.

Teams from the Donbas region, including Shakhtar Donetsk, had already made the move away from home bases in previous years due to continued conflict and disruption in eastern Ukraine.

However, despite appearing to be set for a prolonged suspension, top-flight football returned in Ukraine for a delayed 2022/23 season in August.

Certain security restrictions remain in place, with matches involving teams from the east moved into Kyiv or other areas of the country, with restrictions on fans not being allowed to attend games until measures are relaxed.

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