Ukrainian Soccer Teams Adapt to War's Impact, Play Home Matches in Poland

As of October 2, 2025, the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has significantly impacted the world of sports. Crystal Palace, an English soccer club, is making its full debut in a European competition, but the match will take place at the Motor Lublin Arena in Lublin, Poland, rather than in Ukraine.

Since the conflict began in February 2022, Ukrainian clubs have been playing their home matches in various European countries, including Poland, Slovakia, Sweden, Germany, Romania, Czech Republic, and Slovenia. Ukraine's national team has also been forced to host international home matches in Germany and Turkey in recent years.

The situation has been particularly challenging for Ukrainian soccer clubs, with Dynamo Kyiv and Shakhtar Donetsk playing their Conference League home fixtures in Lublin and Krakow, Poland, respectively. Despite these challenges, Ukrainian top-flight matches continue to be played in their homeland, although average attendances are around half of what they were before the pandemic and the Russian invasion.

Away from the sports arena, the United Kingdom hosted the 2023 Eurovision song contest at the Liverpool Arena on behalf of Ukraine, who had won the previous year's edition. This gesture of solidarity highlights the broader impact of the conflict on various aspects of life in the region.