West Ham United have secured an increase to the capacity of the Olympic Stadium in an out-of-court settlement.
Following the latest round of legal challenges by the club, it has been revealed that the stadium's capacity will be increased by 3,000 to 60,000 with view to extending that further - to 66,000 - "for future matches".Embed from Getty Images
"West Ham United and its landlord E20 have today agreed a plan which allows the club to sell additional seats for their matches thereby ending the litigation surrounding the capacity at the London Stadium," read a club statement.
"Both parties are delighted to have taken the first step towards the stadium reaching its potential of up to 66,000 capacity, to their mutual benefit, and would see it become the largest in London and the second largest in the Premier League.
"The arrangement means that, subject to regulatory permissions, the club will be able to sell up to 60,000 tickets for their games as soon as possible and leaves scope to expand up to 66,000 seats for future matches."
West Ham also stated that the new arrangement would result in "significant additional revenue for West Ham United on matchdays" - though quite how significant remains to be seen.
And in a comment attributed to both E20 CEO Lyn Garner and West Ham vice chair Karren Brady, it was stated that "West Ham United and E20 will now work together to maximise this magnificent stadium for the benefit of fans, our community and the public purse.
"Both parties are fully committed to making the London Stadium the jewel in London’s crown that we all know it can be."
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* The Olympic Stadium has been named as one of the world's worst arena's from which to watch football by Daily Mirror writers.
"As far as competition for the worst major football stadium goes, West Ham United’s home is in a league of its own," wrote Andy Dunn. "The only argument against it owning the title is that, well, it is not actually a football stadium, so maybe it should be disqualified. Soulless, rented, spectators miles away from the pitch, there are no saving graces."
Whilst Aaron Flanagan added: "The London Stadium is an incredible venue for athletics, but for football it is every bit as bad as it looks on TV. Even on the lower tier, which has been extended out closer to the pitch, you are just too far away from the action.
"It’s probably even more underwhelming as a ground because of how great Upton Park was. That place was incredible and the atmosphere was something else. West Ham just can’t replicate that at the London Stadium. Unfortunately, I just don’t enjoy going."
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