London Stadium

Overview

London Stadium is a vast multi-purpose venue in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, best known as the home of West Ham United and the centrepiece of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Its sweeping roof, exposed white structure and riverside setting remain unmistakable. As a football ground, however, it is unlike almost every traditional stadium in England. The venue was designed for athletics before being converted for regular football use, leaving a broad footprint and a noticeable distance between some seats and the pitch.

The move from Upton Park has never stopped dividing opinion among West Ham supporters. London Stadium offers greater capacity, modern facilities and excellent transport connections, but it cannot completely reproduce the compressed, faintly intimidating character of the old Boleyn Ground. Few Olympic legacies have had to accommodate quite so many opinions about sightlines.

London Stadium at a glance

History of London Stadium

London Stadium was built as the principal venue for the 2012 Summer Olympics and Paralympics. Construction began in 2008 on land within the former industrial landscape of Stratford, an area transformed as part of the wider Olympic regeneration programme.

The stadium officially opened in 2012 and staged the Olympic opening and closing ceremonies, athletics programme and Paralympic ceremonies. Some of the Games’ defining moments took place here, including Mo Farah’s long-distance victories, Jessica Ennis-Hill’s heptathlon triumph and Usain Bolt’s performances on the track.

From the beginning, the building was intended to have a life beyond the Olympics. Reaching an agreement over that future proved less straightforward.

West Ham United were eventually selected as the principal football tenant. A large conversion programme followed, introducing a new roof, hospitality areas, retractable seating and the infrastructure required for Premier League and UEFA fixtures. The club played its first season at the stadium in 2016/17 after leaving the Boleyn Ground, its home for 112 years.

The move gave West Ham access to one of the largest club grounds in England. It also produced years of argument about atmosphere, stewarding, supporter segregation and the distance between the stands and pitch. The stadium has improved as a football venue since its opening seasons, although its Olympic origins remain visible from almost every seat.

Design and architecture

The original stadium was designed by Populous as a comparatively lightweight Olympic venue. Its upper structure relied on extensive use of steel and fabric rather than the heavy concrete construction associated with many large stadiums.

The post-Olympic conversion substantially altered the building. A new cantilevered roof was installed to cover the seating more effectively, while sections of the lower tier were designed to move over the athletics track for football matches.

Notable architectural features include:

• A broad elliptical seating bowl
• Reconfigurable lower-tier stands
• One of the world’s longest cantilevered stadium roofs
• A retained athletics track beneath the football configuration
• Extensive hospitality and corporate facilities
• A distinctive exterior formed from exposed structural supports
• Flexible floor space for athletics, concerts and other major events

The roof provides good protection for most spectators, although conditions around exposed approaches can be rather more bracing. Stratford on a wet winter evening rarely mistakes itself for the Mediterranean.

London Stadium seating plan

London Stadium has two main seating tiers, with hospitality and premium areas positioned between or around them. The precise arrangement can change according to the event.

For West Ham matches, the lower sections are moved closer to the pitch. Even in football mode, the gaps behind the goals and along parts of the touchline are greater than at purpose-built football grounds.

Lower tier

Lower-tier seats generally provide the closest views of the pitch. Central positions along the sides offer the clearest perspective, while seats behind the goals place supporters nearer the most vocal sections of the crowd.

The rake is relatively shallow in places, so views can be affected when spectators in front stand during important moments.

Upper tier

The upper tier provides a wider tactical view and, from central blocks, a surprisingly clear picture of the whole pitch. The compromise is distance. Seats in the highest rows feel remote from the action, especially behind the goals.

Access to upper sections involves stairs, escalators or lifts, depending on the entrance and ticket location.

Bobby Moore Stand

The Bobby Moore Stand occupies the southern end of the stadium and contains some of West Ham’s most vocal home support. It inherited the name of the equivalent stand at the Boleyn Ground, honouring the club’s World Cup-winning former captain.

Sir Trevor Brooking Stand

The Sir Trevor Brooking Stand is at the northern end. Away supporters are normally housed within part of this area for West Ham fixtures, although allocations and exact blocks can vary.

Billy Bonds Stand

The Billy Bonds Stand runs along the eastern side of the pitch. It was renamed in 2019 in honour of West Ham’s record appearance holder and former manager.

West Stand

The West Stand contains the main hospitality areas, directors’ seating, dugouts, media facilities and premium lounges. Central seats here provide some of the ground’s best overall views.

Best seats at London Stadium

The ideal block depends on whether you value atmosphere, proximity or a complete view of the match.

Supporters who dislike heights should avoid the back rows of the upper tier. The view is broad and usually unobstructed, but the climb and elevation can feel substantial.

Atmosphere at West Ham matches

London Stadium can produce an impressive wall of sound for major matches, European evenings and games against traditional rivals. The large roof helps retain noise, while a full crowd of more than 60,000 gives the occasion genuine scale.

Consistency is the difficulty. The open internal spaces and distance from the pitch can disperse sound, particularly during quieter fixtures. Supporters behind each goal may generate plenty of noise without it travelling naturally around the bowl.

The atmosphere has improved as fans have established new routines and familiar gathering points. European knockout matches have shown that the stadium can feel fierce when the occasion is right. It is still different from Upton Park, but comparing a modern Olympic arena with a tightly packed ground developed over a century was always going to be mildly unfair to both.

Facilities

London Stadium was built to manage enormous Olympic crowds and offers the scale of facilities expected from a modern international venue.

Facilities include:

• 35 catering outlets
• Numerous bars and refreshment points
• Hospitality lounges and executive boxes
• Large internal concourses
• Accessible toilets
• Baby-changing facilities
• First-aid rooms
• Merchandise outlets on event days
• Cashless payment at most outlets
• Free drinking-water points at selected locations
• Dedicated guest-service teams

Queues can become lengthy during half-time and immediately before kick-off. The concourses are spacious, but 62,500 people developing an interest in refreshments at roughly the same moment remains a difficult architectural problem.

Food, drink and available brands may change between football matches, concerts and athletics events.

Accessibility

London Stadium provides step-free access throughout much of the venue and has 428 wheelchair viewing spaces. Accessible seating is distributed across different levels rather than confined to a single platform.

Provision includes:

• Step-free entrances
• Accessible viewing positions
• Companion seating
• Accessible toilets
• Lifts serving multiple levels
• Hearing assistance systems
• Changing Places facilities
• Assistance-dog access
• Accessible ticket counters
• A complimentary shuttle service from Stratford station for eligible visitors

Stratford and Stratford International offer step-free transport connections. Visitors with specific mobility, sensory or medical requirements should contact the stadium or West Ham United before travelling, as procedures can differ between football fixtures and other events.

Post-event routes are sometimes controlled to manage crowd movement. This can make the return journey longer than the outward walk, so visitors requiring assistance should plan accordingly.

Getting to London Stadium

London Stadium is one of the best-connected major venues in Britain. Public transport is strongly recommended because surrounding roads are restricted on event days and the stadium does not provide general public parking.

By train and Underground

Stratford station is the principal transport hub and is approximately a 15 to 20-minute walk from the stadium. It is served by:

• Central line
• Jubilee line
• Elizabeth line
• Docklands Light Railway
• London Overground
• Greater Anglia services
• National Rail services

Stratford International is also within walking distance and is served by Southeastern high-speed trains and the DLR.

Hackney Wick station provides another approach from the western side of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. It can be useful for some journeys, although event-day routing may differ.

Stewards and temporary signs direct spectators through the Olympic Park. After major events, crowd-control measures may include held queues, road closures and prescribed walking routes.

By bus

Numerous routes serve Stratford, Stratford City Bus Station and the surrounding district. Stops may be moved or temporarily closed during major events, so check live TfL information before setting out.

By car

There is no general public parking at London Stadium on West Ham matchdays. Limited paid parking may be available at Westfield Stratford City, but spaces are not guaranteed and road restrictions can make departure slow.

Blue Badge parking is available for some events by advance arrangement. Visitors should confirm eligibility and book through the relevant event organiser.

By bicycle

Cycle routes run through Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, with cycle parking available around the wider site. Temporary restrictions may operate close to the stadium on busy event days.

Arriving at the stadium

Spectators enter the stadium island using bridges from different parts of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Tickets normally identify the appropriate bridge, turnstile or entrance.

Visitors should arrive early enough to allow for:

• The walk from Stratford
• Event-day diversions
• Ticket checks
• Bag searches
• Queues at the turnstiles
• Finding the correct block and seating level

Bags larger than A4 size are generally not permitted, and the venue has no left-luggage facility. Rules can change for concerts or special events, so check the organiser’s guidance before travelling.

Food and drink near London Stadium

Westfield Stratford City provides the largest concentration of restaurants, cafés and bars near the stadium. It is convenient, although it becomes extremely busy before major fixtures and concerts.

The surrounding areas of Stratford and Hackney Wick offer more independent options. Hackney Wick is particularly popular for breweries, canal-side bars and informal food venues.

West Ham supporters have gradually established matchday meeting places around Stratford, although the experience remains more dispersed than it was around Green Street and Upton Park. The old pre-match geography did not move east in one piece.

Hotels near London Stadium

There are numerous hotels within walking distance of the venue, particularly around Stratford station and Westfield Stratford City.

Nearby options range from budget chains to larger business hotels. Staying in Stratford is convenient for early departures and late-finishing concerts, while the Elizabeth and Jubilee lines provide straightforward access to central London.

Hotel rates can rise sharply when major concerts or sporting events are announced. Booking early is sensible, especially for summer dates.

Stadium tours

London Stadium offers guided and multimedia tours on selected dates. Tours usually cover areas unavailable during normal events, potentially including:

• The players’ tunnel
• Dressing rooms
• Pitchside areas
• Dugouts
• Hospitality spaces
• The indoor running track
• Olympic and West Ham displays

Routes can change when the venue is being prepared for football, athletics or concerts. Tickets should be booked through the official London Stadium tour service.

Major sporting events

London Stadium has staged a remarkably varied programme since opening.

London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games

The stadium hosted the opening and closing ceremonies, track and field competitions, and many of the Games’ most memorable performances. Its continued ability to stage elite athletics was a central condition of the post-Olympic conversion.

West Ham United

West Ham became the principal football tenant in 2016. Domestic league and cup fixtures are played here, alongside European matches when the club qualifies.

2015 Rugby World Cup

Before West Ham moved in, the stadium hosted several matches during the 2015 Rugby World Cup, including the third-place play-off.

World Athletics Championships

The stadium staged the 2017 World Athletics Championships and World Para Athletics Championships. It has subsequently hosted major athletics meetings, maintaining the venue’s connection with its Olympic purpose.

Major League Baseball

In 2019, the stadium was transformed into a baseball ground for games between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. The Boston Red Sox and New York Mets played the London Series here in 2024.

The conversion required a specially constructed playing surface and illustrated the flexibility of the stadium, as well as the amount of work required to make an athletics bowl resemble a ballpark.

Concerts and entertainment

London Stadium can hold approximately 80,000 people for concerts, depending on the stage and floor configuration. Its large capacity has attracted some of the world’s biggest touring artists.

Performers have included:

• AC/DC
• Beyoncé
• Foo Fighters
• Guns N’ Roses
• Red Hot Chili Peppers
• The Rolling Stones
• The Weeknd

Concert seating plans differ considerably from the football layout. Some events use standing areas on the pitch, while others install additional floor seating. Anyone booking should check the position of the stage, sound towers and restricted-view warnings rather than relying on a football seating map.

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

The stadium sits within Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, close to several other venues created or redeveloped for the 2012 Games.

Nearby attractions include:

• ArcelorMittal Orbit
• London Aquatics Centre
• Lee Valley VeloPark
• Copper Box Arena
• Westfield Stratford City
• East Bank cultural and education district
• Parkland walks beside the River Lea and local waterways

The Olympic Park gives London Stadium more open space than most urban football grounds. It is pleasant before an afternoon match, although the long pedestrian routes become less charming when everyone is leaving at once in heavy rain.

Is London Stadium worth visiting?

London Stadium is worth visiting for its historical importance, scale and unusual position within British sport. It remains an Olympic landmark while functioning as a major football ground, athletics venue, concert arena and occasional home for sports rarely staged in Britain.

As a football stadium, its strengths are capacity, transport, facilities and spectacle. Its weaknesses are the distant upper-tier views, uneven atmosphere and the compromises caused by the retained athletics track.

It may never feel like a conventional English football ground. That is partly the point. London Stadium is a converted Olympic arena with a football club building a new history inside it, rather than an old football stadium polished into modern form.

Frequently asked questions

What is the capacity of London Stadium?

The standard football capacity is 62,500. Concert capacity can reach approximately 80,000, depending on the event configuration.

Who plays at London Stadium?

West Ham United have played their home matches at London Stadium since 2016.

Does London Stadium still have an athletics track?

Yes. The athletics track remains beneath and around the reconfigurable football seating.

Which station is best for London Stadium?

Stratford is the recommended station for most visitors. Stratford International and Hackney Wick may also be convenient, depending on the route and event-day restrictions.

Can you park at London Stadium?

There is no general public stadium parking for West Ham matches. Limited commercial parking may be available elsewhere in Stratford, including Westfield, but public transport is recommended.

Is London Stadium covered?

The cantilevered roof covers most seating areas. Some spectators may still be exposed to wind or rain, particularly near the front or on approaches to the venue.

Are stadium tours available?

Yes. London Stadium offers tours on selected dates, although routes and availability vary around events.