West Ham United FC – London Stadium

Complete Away Day Travel Guide

⚒️ ABOUT THE LONDON STADIUM

The London Stadium, located in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, East London, has been the home of West Ham United since August 2016. Originally built as the centrepiece venue for the London 2012 Olympics, this spectacular 62,500-capacity stadium (expandable to 68,013 for concerts) represents a bold new chapter for The Hammers after 112 years at their beloved Boleyn Ground (Upton Park).

The multi-purpose venue retains the athletics track from its Olympic legacy, which means fans are further from the pitch than traditional football grounds, but the sheer scale and modern facilities make this an impressive Premier League destination. The stadium stands within the transformed Olympic Park, surrounded by parkland, canals, and the massive Westfield Stratford shopping centre.

West Ham United – The Hammers or The Irons – are one of English football’s most historic and passionate clubs, founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks (a shipbuilding company team) and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. The club has won the FA Cup three times (1964, 1975, 1980) and made history in 1965 by winning the European Cup Winners’ Cup, becoming the last English club to win a major European trophy with an all-English squad.

The famous claret and blue colours have been worn since 1900, and the crossed hammers badge represents the club’s industrial working-class roots in the docks and factories of East London. West Ham are renowned as “The Academy of Football” for producing exceptional talent including Bobby Moore (England’s 1966 World Cup-winning captain), Geoff Hurst, Martin Peters, Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, and Declan Rice.

The club’s passionate fanbase creates brilliant atmosphere singing “I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles” – one of football’s most iconic anthems – and The Hammers’ rivalry with Millwall remains one of English football’s fiercest.

The move from the Boleyn Ground to London Stadium in 2016 was controversial among some fans who missed the intimacy of Upton Park, but the capacity increase and world-class facilities have helped the club grow. The stadium’s stands are named after club legends: the Bobby Moore Stand (north), Sir Trevor Brooking Stand (south, where away fans sit), Billy Bonds Stand (east), and the West Stand. West Ham’s first match at London Stadium was a 3-0 Europa League victory over NK Domžale on 4 August 2016, and the club have since set attendance records exceeding 62,000.

The stadium has also hosted athletics, concerts, rugby, and England women’s internationals, making it one of London’s premier sporting venues.

📊 STADIUM SPECIFICATIONS

🚗 GETTING TO THE LONDON STADIUM

The London Stadium is located in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford, East London, approximately 6 miles east of Central London. Stratford is one of the best-connected transport hubs in London with Underground (Central, Jubilee lines), Overground, DLR, Elizabeth Line, and mainline trains all converging here. The stadium is a 15-minute walk from Stratford station through the beautiful Olympic Park.

🗺️ STADIUM LOCATION MAP

London Stadium Address: Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London, E20 2ST

🚇 BY TRAIN/TUBE – The Recommended Choice

Why Public Transport is Best: Stratford is one of London’s best-connected stations with Underground (Central, Jubilee lines), Overground, DLR, Elizabeth Line, and mainline services. From Stratford it’s a pleasant 15-minute walk through Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to London Stadium. Alternative stations include Pudding Mill Lane (DLR, 10-minute walk) and Hackney Wick (Overground, 15-minute walk). The transport links are genuinely excellent. Use contactless payment or Oyster card for best fares.

Journey Times to Stratford Station:

🚗 BY CAR – Not Recommended

Postcode for Sat Nav: E20 2ST

🏨 WHERE TO STAY

For accommodation, Stratford (right next to the stadium) has transformed massively since the Olympics with excellent hotels, Westfield shopping centre, restaurants, and brilliant transport links. Alternatively, staying in Central London gives you the full London experience with easy access to Stratford via tube or Elizabeth Line. Most visitors choose between Stratford for convenience or Central London for nightlife and attractions.

🍺 WHERE TO EAT & DRINK

Westfield Stratford (5 minutes from stadium) is the obvious choice with 70+ restaurants, bars, and food outlets. Everything from Five Guys, Nando’s, and Wagamama to proper restaurants. Hackney Wick (15-minute walk) has trendy craft beer bars and street food. Stratford itself has various pubs and chain restaurants. The Olympic Park area is still developing its pub scene, so most visitors gravitate to Westfield or head into Central London.

🍺 PUBS & BARS NEAR THE LONDON STADIUM

🍽️ FOOD OPTIONS

🎯 THINGS TO DO IN EAST LONDON

You’re at the heart of London’s Olympic legacy in one of the world’s greatest cities! Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park surrounds the stadium with beautiful parkland, iconic Olympic venues, and the massive Westfield shopping centre. Central London with all its world-class attractions is just 15-30 minutes away on the tube. Whether you want Olympic history, shopping, culture, or exploring London, you’ve got unlimited options.

🏛️ TOP ATTRACTIONS

⚽ MATCHDAY TIPS

🏅 THE OLYMPIC LEGACY EXPERIENCE

⚒️ THE HAMMERS EXPERIENCE

💭 FINAL THOUGHTS

Visiting London Stadium is experiencing Premier League football in one of the world’s most spectacular modern venues. Yes, the athletics track means you’re further from the pitch than traditional grounds, but the sheer scale (62,500 capacity!), Olympic legacy, and modern facilities create an impressive matchday experience. West Ham United – The Hammers – are one of English football’s most passionate and historic clubs, founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks, with working-class East London roots still evident in every match.

The club has won the FA Cup three times and made history in 1965 by winning the European Cup Winners’ Cup with an all-English squad. West Ham are renowned as “The Academy of Football” for producing exceptional talent: Bobby Moore (England’s 1966 World Cup-winning captain), Geoff Hurst (World Cup hat-trick hero), Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, and Declan Rice all learned their trade here.

The move from the beloved Boleyn Ground (Upton Park) to London Stadium in 2016 was controversial – some fans miss the intimacy of their 112-year home – but the new stadium has allowed the club to grow with 62,500 capacity and world-class facilities. Hearing “I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles” sung by 60,000+ fans is genuinely one of football’s spine-tingling moments – one of the sport’s most iconic anthems echoing around an Olympic stadium.

The stands are named after club legends Bobby Moore, Sir Trevor Brooking, and Billy Bonds, and the passionate Hammers support creates brilliant atmosphere despite the challenging acoustics and distance from pitch. West Ham’s rivalry with Millwall is one of English football’s fiercest, and East London pride runs deep through the club’s DNA.

But London Stadium sits at the heart of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park – one of London’s most spectacular modern developments. You’re standing where Usain Bolt won gold, where Mo Farah triumphed, where London 2012 created Olympic magic. The 560-acre park surrounds you with beautiful parkland, waterways, the iconic ArcelorMittal Orbit tower, and the stunning Zaha Hadid-designed Aquatics Centre. Westfield Stratford (5-minute walk) offers 250+ shops and 70+ restaurants. Hackney Wick’s trendy canalside craft breweries and street art scene is 15 minutes away. And Central London with the British Museum (FREE!), Tower of London, St Paul’s Cathedral, and West End theatres is just 15-30 minutes on the tube.

The logistics couldn’t be better. Stratford is one of UK’s best-connected transport hubs with Underground (Central, Jubilee lines), Overground, DLR, Elizabeth Line (direct from Heathrow in 45 mins!), and mainline trains all converging here. From Liverpool Street it’s just 7 minutes. From Central London 15-25 minutes. From anywhere in the UK you can reach Stratford easily. The 15-minute walk through Olympic Park to the stadium is genuinely pleasant through beautiful parkland.

Our advice? Get to Stratford early morning if travelling from outside London, explore magnificent Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (FREE!), climb the ArcelorMittal Orbit for stunning London views (£15), have lunch at Westfield’s countless restaurants, grab pre-match drinks at Tap East or walk to Hackney Wick’s craft breweries, take the beautiful 15-minute walk through Olympic Park to the stadium, experience “Bubbles” echoing around a 62,500-capacity Olympic stadium, then either head back to Stratford/Westfield for evening entertainment or jump on the Central Line into Central London for the full Saturday night experience!

Take the train to Stratford, explore Olympic Park’s stunning legacy, experience The Hammers’ passion and “I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles”, and discover why this Olympic stadium has become a Premier League destination!

⚒️ Come On You Irons! ⚒️

📞 USEFUL CONTACTS

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