London Stadium
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Footballolympic_national

London Stadium

Stratford, England
62,500 capacity
Opened 2012
West Ham United
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The venue

About London Stadium

London Stadium is a large multi-purpose stadium located in London, in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park area of Stratford. It was originally built for the 2012 Summer Olympics, where it hosted the opening and closing ceremonies as well as athletics events. Today, the stadium has a capacity of around 62,500. After the Olympics, the stadium was converted into a football venue and became the home of West Ham United F.C. in 2016. It now hosts matches in the Premier League, as well as athletics competitions, concerts, and other large events.

Historical Overview

Emerging from the industrial marshlands of Stratford as the centerpiece of the 2012 Summer Olympics, the London Stadium stands as a testament to urban regeneration. Originally constructed between 2008 and 2011 to host the Games of the XXX Olympiad, the venue was designed with a focus on post-Games flexibility. During the summer of 2012, it served as the primary hub for the Olympics, hosting iconic moments in athletics that captivated a global audience and redefined the cultural landscape of East London. Following the conclusion of the Games, the stadium underwent a significant architectural transformation to secure its long-term legacy as a multi-purpose venue. This complex project involved the installation of a massive cantilevered roof and the implementation of a retractable seating system, allowing the arena to transition between football, athletics, and concert configurations. The stadium officially reopened in its new form in 2016, marking a seismic shift for West Ham United, which bid farewell to its historic Boleyn Ground to become the stadium's primary tenants. The club played its first Premier League match at the venue in August 2016, beginning a new era in the club's history. Today, the London Stadium is a versatile titan within the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Beyond its role as the home of West Ham United, it continues to serve as a premier destination for international athletics, including the Diamond League, and has hosted major cultural events and concerts. With a regulated capacity of 62,500 for football, the stadium successfully bridges the gap between London's storied sporting history and its vibrant, multi-purpose future, remaining one of the most significant arenas in the United Kingdom.

Did You Know?

  • The London Stadium features the longest cantilevered roof in the world, which covers every seat in the venue.

    Architecture
  • West Ham United played their first Premier League match at the stadium on August 21, 2016, defeating AFC Bournemouth 1-0.

    History
  • The stadium has a regulated capacity of 62,500 for football matches, though it can accommodate up to 80,000 spectators for concerts.

    Records
  • The venue is situated on a site technically classified as an island, surrounded by the Old River Lea and the City Mill River.

    Design
  • The stadium is a UEFA Category Four venue and utilizes a Desso GrassMaster hybrid grass surface for football matches.

    Architecture

Quick Info

League
ChampionshipChampionship
League
Summer OlympicsSummer Olympics
LocationStratford, England
Capacity62,500
Opened2012
Home TeamWest Ham United
AddressQueen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London, E20 2ST

Clubs & Events (2)

Club 1 of 2
1 / 2
West Ham United

West Ham United

The Hammers
ChampionshipChampionship

West Ham United Football Club, founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC, plays its home matches at the London Stadium — the centrepiece venue of the 2012 Summer Olympics, which the club moved into in 2016. Twice European trophy winners (1965 and 1999 Cup Winners' Cup) and FA Cup winners three times (1964, 1975, 1980).

Founded 1895Nuno Espirito SantoWebsite
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Upcoming Matches

West Ham United vs Southampton

EFL Championship

Sat 24 Oct 2026, 14:00

Fixture via fixturedownload.com

West Ham United vs West Bromwich Albion

EFL Championship

Sat 31 Oct 2026, 15:00

Fixture via fixturedownload.com

West Ham United vs Liverpool

Women's Super League

Sun 1 Nov 2026, 14:00

Fixture via fixturedownload.com

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Travel & Matchday

Travel Guide

Everything you need to know about getting to London Stadium

Getting There

The most efficient way to reach London Stadium is by using London's extensive public transport network, as driving is strongly discouraged. Visitors should aim for the Stratford transport hub, which provides excellent connectivity to the rest of the city and beyond.

Public Transport

Stratford Station is the primary hub, served by the Jubilee and Central lines, the DLR, and National Rail services, located about a 15-minute walk away. Additional options include Pudding Mill Lane DLR station and Hackney Wick Overground station, both of which are within a 10 to 15-minute walk of the venue.

Parking

There is no general matchday parking available at the stadium for supporters. The club provides a limited number of spaces exclusively for blue badge holders, which must be applied for in advance.

Nearby Airports

London City Airport is the closest, located approximately 6 miles away. Other major hubs like London Stansted, Heathrow, and Gatwick are accessible via train connections into central London.

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