Why are Crystal Palace playing Dynamo Kyiv in Lublin?

Crystal Palace will play their first-ever match in European competition proper this week, when they take on Dynamo Kyiv in the Europa Conference League.

The match has been the source of much excitement for Crystal Palace fans, but it's not exactly the most straightforward of away trips for match-going Crystal Palace fans.

Instead of the match being played in Kyiv, Crystal Palace fans are being asked to travel to Lublin in Poland to watch their team in action. Below, we run through the reasons for the match being played in Poland.

Why are Crystal Palace playing Dynamo Kyiv in Lublin? Questions answered

The main reason why Crystal Palace are playing Dynamo Kyiv in Lublin is due to the fact that this is the Ukrainian club's designated home for European matches.

This has been the case since 2022, when UEFA instructed all Ukrainian clubs to find a suitable home away from their homeland immediately after Russia first invaded the country.

Dynamo Kyiv elected for Lublin in Poland due to a combination of factors, but mainly because the club have strong regional support in the area. Lublin also provides supporters with modern infrastructure and good transport links.

What stadium do Dynamo Kyiv now play in?

The stadium that Dynamo Kyiv now call home for home European fixtures is the Motor Lublin Arena. This stadium is located in the heart of the city and has a capacity of 15,247. The capacity is rather modest compared to the Olympiyskiy in Kyiv, where Dynamo play most of their home domestic matches. This stadium has a capacity of more than 70,000, but considering the complicated logistics involved to get to Lublin, it is the perfect size.

Where will Crystal Palace fans sit at the Motor Lublin Arena?

Crystal Palace fans have been given an entire end for the match and a very healthy European allocation of 2,500. Palace fans will enter through blocks C1, C2 and D1 and will have the end to themselves.