London Stadium plan set to be 'deeply unpopular' with West Ham fans | OneFootball

The London Stadium plans are set to be 'deeply unpopular' with West Ham United supporters, with an issue emerging ahead of their Championship campaign

West Ham United's London Stadium is by far the largest ground outside of the Premier League, with it being nearly double the next best stadium in terms of capacity.

Middlesbrough's The Riverside has a capacity of just under 35,000, while West Ham United could have over 62,000 present for Championship games in 2026/27. The next biggest EFL stadium is Sheffield Wednesday's Hillsborough in League One.

The Hammers moved into the stadium used to host the London 2012 Olympics following the 2015/16 campaign. It's been a divisive move from Upton Park to the London Stadium but Daniel Kretinsky has eyed significant changes to the ground.

That said, West Ham do not own the stadium, as they signed a 99-year lease in 2013 before moving into the ground in 2016. It means the stadium remains publicly owned, which could provide stumbling blocks that could delay, or even prevent, Kretinsky’s plans from coming to fruition.

Fresh developments emerge at West Ham United's London Stadium

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There are already question marks over the atmosphere at the London Stadium ahead of West Ham's return to the Championship but the primary idea Kretinsky has should prove to be a popular one.

Kretinsky wants to remove the running track in West Ham's home, meaning fans can be closer to the pitch, albeit attendances are expected to be strong for West Ham next season, irrespective of the issues regarding the current layout of the ground.

Now, there has been a fresh issue raised regarding the stadium. The Standard report that a West Ham supporters’ group named Hammers United state they would oppose plans to play more away matches during September in order to facilitate major events and concerts at the London Stadium.

It's reported that The London Stadium LLP currently only has a licence to host 10 concerts a year, whereas West Ham’s rivals Spurs host 30 major non-football events a year, which is a serious source of revenue for the club.

Newham Council are in talks about expanding that licence with The London Stadium LLP. It's revealed they are also speaking with West Ham about the possibility of playing more away matches earlier in the season in future campaigns to facilitate expansion plans.

Such a move, though, is said to be very likely to be deeply unpopular with West Ham supporters, with Hammers United saying they would reject any plans to play away throughout the month of September. They also admit there is room for negotiation.

However, they add that West Ham's ownership, which is changing following the departure of joint-chair and co-owner David Sullivan, would need to act in the best interests of the club to secure a deal that suits supporters going forwards.

West Ham United supporters may have to accept the direction of travel

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Modern football clubs can no longer rely solely on matchday income, broadcasting distributions, and player trading if they want to keep pace financially. Commercial revenues have become increasingly important, such as hosting events like concerts.

This is particularly as wage bills and transfer fees continue to rise while financial regulations place greater scrutiny on spending. That is why many clubs now view their stadiums as year-round assets rather than venues used every other weekend.

It goes beyond just concerts, with conferences, exhibitions, and other major events capable of generating millions in additional income, helping fund infrastructure, academy investment, and potentially even first-team recruitment without breaching financial rules.

While supporters may dislike the prospect of fixture disruptions or a damaged playing surface, the long-term financial benefits can be significant. For ambitious clubs, maximising stadium revenue is increasingly one of the clearest ways to grow sustainably and compete with bigger rivals.

That is something for West Ham fans to bear in mind in the long-term, given the income it has generated Tottenham Hotspur in recent seasons. It's something that could help propel West Ham forward if they are able to strike a balance in the coming years.