Former Premier League club’s 62,500-capacity stadium in bid to host fewer sporting events

WEST HAM’S 62,500-capacity home could host fewer sporting events and more concerts under plans aimed at tackling the stadium’s £19million annual losses. London Stadium LLP is seeking permission to increase the number of concert days it can stage from 10 to 24, while reducing the annual number of sporting events from 87 to 70. The 62,500-capacity London Stadium could host more concerts under plans to tackle its £19million annual losses Credit: Getty London Stadium has been West Ham’s home since 2016 after the club left Upton Park Credit: PA The venue, which is owned by the Greater London Authority, says the changes would allow it to attract more major non-sporting events and improve its finances. A spokesperson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service via BBC News: “There is no impact on West Ham matches or their capacity. West Ham are entitled to play matches at the stadium as per the concession agreement.” Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! West Ham declined to comment on the proposals. The Hammers moved into the London Stadium in 2016 after leaving their famous Upton Park home, with the venue having originally been used for the 2012 London Olympic Games. West Ham had spent every season back in the Premier League since moving there until their recent relegation, meaning their return to the Championship will now have a direct financial impact on the stadium. Lyn Garner, chair of London Stadium LLP, said the venue had been losing around £19m every year for some time because of its long-term deal with West Ham. She described the 2025/26 campaign as a “particularly bad year for London Stadium” after it hosted only two summer concerts. West Ham’s relegation has made matters worse, with the club’s annual rent falling from £4.6m in the Premier League to less than half that figure in the Championship. Most read in Sport BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK West Ham players were left dejected after their relegation from the Premier League brought an end to their top-flight run Credit: Reuters The stadium now wants to make itself more attractive to the music industry by increasing the number of concerts it can host. It is also seeking to raise its concert noise limit, with the current rules allowing six events at 75 decibels and four at 65 decibels when measured from nearby buildings classed as sensitive receptors. Under the proposed changes, every concert would be allowed a 75-decibel limit – a move the stadium says would help it compete with Wembley and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which has more lenient limits. The timing comes as the Hammers prepare for life outside the Premier League, with Portsmouth visiting the London Stadium today in the first round of the EFL Cup. It will be West Ham’s first match of the new campaign before they travel to Turf Moor next Sunday to face Burnley on the opening weekend of their Championship season. Comment now