English Premier League football club West Ham United has confirmed that the capacity of London Stadium will increase to 62,500 seats for the 2022-23 season, subject to an amended general safety certificate being issued by Newham Council.
West Ham was granted planning permission to increase the stadium’s match-day capacity at London Stadium back in October. The current capacity is 60,000 and the increase to 62,500 would take West Ham beyond Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium (60,260) and just behind Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (62,850).
London Stadium’s full capacity is close to 67,000 but West Ham is unable to open every seat on match days due to safety restrictions. An increase of the match-day capacity to 62,500 has been mooted for some time and West Ham is now hopeful of implementing this in time for next season.
West Ham has also confirmed that the lower tier of the stadium’s West Stand will be reconfigured to further develop a “more traditional football stadium layout” by bringing the upper and lower tiers closer together and moving more fans closer to the pitch.
West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady said: “We are always listening to our supporters and working hard to improve their experience at London Stadium, in line with the fantastic feedback we’ve received from them. The expected increase in capacity will see London Stadium become one of the highest-attended grounds in the capital and indeed the country, giving an even greater number of our supporters the opportunity to watch our exciting team in action.
“We have had some fantastic moments at London Stadium this season, including memorable Premier League wins against Tottenham, Liverpool and Chelsea and, of course, the unforgettable night and atmosphere against Sevilla in the UEFA Europa League, and we thank supporters for their continued fantastic backing. This is another great sign of progression during a hugely positive time for the club.”
A reconfiguration of the lower tier stands behind the goals was completed in August 2020. The Bobby Moore and Sir Trevor Brooking stands were brought closer to the pitch and squared-off in line with a more traditional football stadium configuration, with some seats moved as much as four metres forward.
London Stadium was built as an athletics venue for the 2012 Olympic Games and West Ham moved to the venue in 2016
Image: Samuel Regan-Asante on Unsplash
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