Seating plan
Built in the Stratford district of London to host 2012 Summer Olympics, it was originally named Olympic Stadium. After the Olympics and Paralympics, London Stadium was closed for planned renovations to become a multi-purpose arena. The world’s longest cantilevered roof, new corporate areas, concessions, bathrooms, and retractable seating had been installed during the reconfiguration. The stadium had also obtained UEFA ‘Category Four’ status. Since August 2016, London Stadium is a home arena to West Ham United F.C. and to UK Athletics.
The oval shape of London Stadium and relocatable seating potentially allows it to host even baseball, cricket, and other sports activities. The stands behind the goals are named after former players of West Ham – Bobby Moore and Trevor Brooking. The latter includes several upper and lower tier sections for the away team’s fans. The other two stands are East and West stands, and the first of them points to Stratford Station direction. The non-corporate ticket categories are as follows:
- 1966 Club – a VIP zone in the East Stand, with padded, named seats. Purchased on a season-by-season principle;
- Band 1 – longside upper and lower tier seats on the East and West Stands with excellent views;
- Band 2 – longside upper and lower tier seats on the East and West Stands with good views;
- Band 3 – corner flag zone’s lower and upper tier seats;
- Band 4 – shortside, mostly upper tier seats behind the goals;
- Band 5 – shortside, the furthest upper tier seats behind the goals.
Keep in mind that the ticket prices for the UEFA Europa League, FA Cup, and the other cup matches may vary.
London Stadium hosted both the opening and closing ceremonies at the 2012 Olympic Games. Since its renovation finished in 2016, it also hosted several big concerts, including such of AC/DC, Depeche Mode, Guns ‘N Roses, Robbie Williams, Beyoncé, Jay-Z, and so on. The Rugby World Cup, the RFL Four Nations, and many other spectacular events also took place there. Relocatable seating allows London Stadium to welcome up to 80,000 attendees during the concerts. The record football game attendance of 56,988 fans was set on 23 September 2017. However, West Ham lost that game against Tottenham Hotspur, 2-3.
Tickets
The most convenient way to purchase tickets to London Stadium without overpaying is Ticket-Compare. It’s a real timesaver and indeed their navigation and a number of handy features make it very easy to get the tickets delivered fast to any country in the world.
It’s important to remember that the game status may cause quite a stir, especially if it’s one of London derbies, important FA Cup, or Europa League game. I suggest that you always buy tickets in advance, and there are a few other ways to get those desired tickets. They include:
- The official West Ham website;
- Via email – ticketoffice@westhamunited.co.uk;
- By phone – +44 (0) 333 030 1966;
- At the main ticket office located opposite turnstile E and F and alongside the Stadium Store or at the North Stand Ticket Office located to the North of the Stadium and close to turnstile J.
Most commonly, the tickets go on general sale three weeks prior to the match. The pricing depends on the game status and the other factors. Here is an approximate price range for the home matches of West Ham:
- 1966 Club – £48-86;
- Band 1 – £42-80;
- Band 2 – £38-75;
- Band 3 – £34-70;
- Band 4 – £34-70;
- Band 5 – £32-59.
Hotels near
- Staybridge Suites London – a superb hotel with a delicious buffet breakfast, friendly staff, and a perfect location. It’s situated only 800 meters away from London Stadium, and it’s one of the best deals one can find in the capital of Great Britain. Spacious studio king suite for two with a bright city view costs starting £164 per night.
- The Westbridge Hotel – this amazing hotel is located in a gorgeous building constructed three centuries ago. A fifteen-minute walk, mostly through the park, will bring you from your hotel door to the stadium. It’s also within five minutes walking distance from the metro. The hotel has nearly everything you can imagine for a price starting only £113, which is a perfect deal for London.
- Moxy London Stratford – is located really close to the important transport links, shopping malls and just across the road from Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. It will take you about fifteen minutes to walk to the arena. That fabulous hotel is one of the top picks in the UK’s capital and its price per night starts from £183.
- Holiday Inn London – is a wonderful choice for travellers interested in London’s major places of interest. This terrific hotel is very welcoming and it’s situated only 700 meters from London Stadium. It’s available for a price starting £164 per night.
- Epsilon Hotel – this one is awesome too, but it’s located a bit further from London Stadium comparing to the other accommodations in the list. You’ll have to walk for 25 minutes or catch the bus, which will bring you closer to the Olympic Park. However, it has an excellent price, considering their very high standards and a filling breakfast included. Single rooms are available as cheap as £54, while you’ll be charged £80 and more for the double room.
How to get to
The capital of England has one of the best public transport networks in the world. Therefore, you shouldn’t have troubles getting to London Stadium. Stratford station is the recommended destination for those who are heading towards the arena. Once you get there before the match, you’ll have to walk for about thirteen minutes. There will be multiple signs and stewards to help you get there. Keep in mind, that the roads are closed to the traffic between that metro station and the arena for an hour before the starting whistle.
By Tube and Train – London Stadium is serviced by whopping 58 trains per hour through Stratford station. You can get nearly from anywhere in London to the arena using this type of transportation.
By Bus – over twenty bus lines are passing in close proximity to Stratford station. However, the best choices are bus lines 388, 308, 339, and D8. In case you need to get to Stratford at night, bus lines N8 and N86 operate 24 hours a day.
By Car – disrupted access roads during event days will hardly make it a pleasant ride. Therefore, it’s recommended to take advantage of the extensive public transport system servicing the area of London Stadium. If car is still your choice, keep in mind that the arena has no parking available. In fact, the nearest car parks can be found in Stratford International and Stratford Westfield.
By Plane – it will take you at least 1 hour 40 minutes to get from London Heathrow to London Stadium. You should take the Piccadilly Line to King’s Cross St Pancras. Then you’ll have a five-minute walk to St Pancras International station, where Southeastern service will bring you to Stratford International. Travel time from London Gatwick and Luton Airports is about 1 hour 20 minutes.
Parking
Parking in London is in general expensive. It’s also not the easiest task to find the vacant parking spot a few hours before the starting whistle. However, there is always a solution. The approximate matchday paid parking price near the sports venue in London is £5.
Eating out nearby
London is a city with a huge number of restaurants and cafes representing cuisines from all over the world. For years, traditional food has been among the top reasons to visit the capital of Britain. Today one of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities can offer almost anything you want to eat, including trending Peruvian, and rare Afghani, Moroccan, Lebanese cuisines, and much more.
Pubs, bars & cafes
- Pie Crust – quirky cafe primarily serving tasty Asian food. There are many vegetarian options and some vegan items on their menu as well. The café has been working since 1984 and it definitely offers great value for money.
- Pasta Remoli Westfield Stratford – an always welcoming place with a real taste of Italy. You’ll definitely enjoy their homemade pasta, ravioli, traditional Italian salads, delicious sauces, and quick snacks. Also, their prices are very reasonable.
- Mono London – one of the best affordable child-friendly cafes in the area of London Stadium. They have exceptionally good coffee, baguettes, toasted sandwiches, other pastries and, of course, the real English tea.
Restaurants
- Forman’s – a consistently great venue with exceptionally tasty salmon, turbot, and other fish. You’ll be also surprised to discover very good smoked meat and steaks at that place. Mind-blowing smokehouse tour is yet another thing worth to be experienced in London.
- Barge East – a wonderful outdoor deck overlooking the arena and London’s skyline. Their head chef is a former yachtsman. Therefore, you’ll find plenty of unusual dishes from different parts of our planet on their menu. And yes, you can comfortably sit inside during cold and rainy days.
Things to see at the stadium
Spectacular tours allow fans to go behind the scenes at the epoch-making London Stadium. It’s an amazing feeling to touch history and to discover how the home of the London 2012 Olympics became the marvellous new home of the Hammers.
Tour
Several stadium tours are available at the arena of West Ham. You can see home dressing room, enthusiastically walk down the tunnel out onto the pitch, and enjoy London Stadium in its best from an angle of the modern football stars. The tour options include:
- Guided Multimedia Tour – £18;
- Guided Multimedia Match-Day Tour – £32;
- Guided Multimedia VIP Tour – £38;
- Guided Multimedia Match-Day VIP Tour – £48;
- Legends Tour with Alan Taylor – £42.
All tours, except the two-hour Legends Tour with Q&A session, last one hour. For more information about London Stadium tours, check the official website.
Fan store
While you can always shop online on the official West Ham Store, obviously there is also a Stadium Store located next to the magnificent arena of West Ham. Each fan can choose from the widest range of Hammers-related items, such as the official kit, casual clothing, pet accessories, and even things like bedroom cushions and curtains.
Things to do in London
You could probably find a few big books on that issue because London is truly a magnificent city. No matter, whether it’s your first visit or you’ve been in the capital of England many times, there are always plenty of new things to discover. If you are looking for ideas to start exploring, think about the Southbank Centre, museums, exhibitions, theatres, parks, and places to drink your afternoon tea. London’s wild nightlife is another thing worth mentioning. The capital of Great Britain has some of the world’s most iconic nightclubs.
Sightseeing tour
Hop on hop off sightseeing bus tours with over 60 stops on four different routes are among the most popular tourist attractions in London. A classic open-top double decker bus is the best choice for the summer day. In fact, any bus tour will be a perfect introduction and will allow you to explore London’s most sacral locations in no time. Night bus tours in London start from £22. One-day bus tours start from £29. The tours have many optional features available at an extra charge that will allow you to explore the attractions such as London Eye, Madame Tussauds museum, Tower of London, St Paul’s Cathedral, the London Dungeon, etc.
Top 3 places to visit
National Gallery – is a free must-see cultural experience in London. Spacey, monumental, and clean, it houses one of the world’s most incredible collections of art. The works of Monet, Da Vinci, Van Gogh and the other top artists from the 13th to the 19th centuries are presented in that beautiful gallery. It’s located in Trafalgar Square, right in the heart of the capital of England.
St. James’s Park – is a truly wonderful green oasis and the oldest Royal Park in London. It’s a unique calm place in a lively modern city which can relax you on your way to Buckingham Palace. The park’s lake is a wildlife sanctuary for myriads of ducks, swans, geese, and pelicans, which can be fed while you watch the spectacular London Eye going around.
Houses of Parliament – is a truly legendary building of the British government rebuilt in the mid-19th century. Part of it, which is known as Westminster Hall, dates from unbelievable 1097 AD. Houses of Parliament is the home of magnificent Big Ben. Even if you completely don’t care about politics, it’s still a unique architectural and historical spot, which can’t be skipped in London.
Key facts
| Address | Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London, UK |
| Postcode | E20 2ST |
| Capacity | 57,000 seats |
| Club | West Ham United F.C. |
| Build Date | 2012 |
| Architect | “Populous” led by Philip Johnson |
| Average Attendance | 42,779 (Season 2017 – 2018) |
| Record Attendance | 56,988 (West Ham 2-3 Spurs, 23 September 2017) |
| Stadium Cost | £486 million + £274 million renovations |
| Roof | Spanning tensile roof installed in 2015 |
| Who is the owner of London Stadium? | Greater London Authority |
| Pitch Size | 105 m × 68 m |
| Where is London Stadium located? | 51.53650°N -0.00983 °E |
| Nickname | former Olympic Stadium |
| Surface | Desso GrassMaster |
FAQ
The London Stadium has a capacity of approximately 60,000 for football matches and up to 80,000 for concerts and other events.
The stadium has a bowl-style design with four main stands:
Sir Trevor Brooking Stand (North Stand);
Bobby Moore Stand (South Stand);
East Stand;
West Stand.
Each stand has multiple tiers, with the lower and upper tiers separated by a row of corporate boxes and premium seating.
While most seats offer good views, some areas may have slightly obstructed views:
Seats in the corners of the lower tier might have a partially obstructed view due to the curvature of the stadium.
Some seats behind the goals in the upper tiers may have a restricted view of the opposite goal. Always check the seat map when booking to ensure you’re aware of any potential view restrictions.
The best views are generally considered to be:
midfield seats in the West and East Stands;
central areas of the upper tiers for a panoramic view of the entire pitch.
Yes, London Stadium offers accessible seating options:
wheelchair user spaces are available in all stands;
easy access seats for ambulant disabled supporters;
dedicated areas for supporters with visual or hearing impairments.
London Stadium offers several premium seating options:
Club London seats: Located in the middle tier of the West Stand.
Executive boxes: Private suites with excellent views, catering, and hospitality services.
The Forge: An exclusive restaurant with pitch-side seats.
Due to the stadium’s original design for athletics, some seats are further from the pitch compared to traditional football grounds. The closest seats are in the lower tiers of each stand, particularly behind the goals.
Yes, away supporters are typically seated in the southeast corner of the stadium, occupying part of the Sir Trevor Brooking Stand and the East Stand.
For most events, you can select specific seats when booking online. However, for high-demand events, you might only be able to choose a general area or price category.
For concerts:
the stage is usually set up at one end of the stadium;
some pitch-level seats may be added;
upper tiers may be closed depending on ticket sales;
VIP packages often include premium viewing areas.
