Yahoo Finance West Ham get green light to increase London Stadium capacity to 62,500 as club eye record attendances
West Ham have been granted permission to expand the capacity of the London Stadium to 62,500 seats.
The ground, built for the London 2012 Olympics but home to the Hammers since their departure from Upton Park in 2016, currently has its capacity limited to 60,000 on football match days.
The increase will come once the club complete a safety certificate application, and will likely see the club’s attendance record broken, with the current mark of 59,988 set during the Premier League clash against Everton in March 2019.
West Ham’s move to the stadium was far from popular among fans but the mood has shifted markedly following the on-field success under David Moyes that has seen the club qualify for European football this season, with Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup clash with Manchester City sold out.
“The application to increase the matchday capacity will give an even greater number of our fans the opportunity to watch our exciting team in action in person,” said West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady.
“Since the regular return of supporters this year, we have seen a terrific response with every Premier League fixture so far this season sold out, and we thank them for their continued fantastic backing including breaking attendance records as part of regular capacity crowds at London Stadium. This is another great sign of progression during a hugely positive time for the club.”
The Hammers hope to eventually expand the London Stadium to its maximum potential capacity for football matches of around 67,000, which would take it beyond the Tottenham Hotspur and Emirates Stadiums as the biggest Premier League ground in London.
“Everyone here is doing everything we can to grow and develop this football club, on and off the pitch, for the benefit of our supporters, and we all feel that things are moving in the right direction,” manager Moyes added.
“The supporters being back has been fantastic and the atmosphere they have created, with 60,000 in the stadium, has been right up there every game.
“Having more fans in here cheering the team on will make it even better for us all and we are really looking forward to welcoming more of our young supporters and families to London Stadium.”
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