Mayor Sadiq Khan opens door to West Ham's stadium ownership bid

Mayor Sadiq Khan has welcomed the prospect of West Ham United bidding to purchase the London Stadium, the 2012 Olympic venue in Stratford where the Hammers have been tenants since the 2016/17 season after leaving the Boleyn Ground and paying rent under a contract inherited from the previous mayor.

Taxpayer cost of stadium

The multi‑purpose arena is owned by the Greater London Authority and costs city taxpayers £19 million per year. West Ham’s annual rent, originally set at £4.6 million, is now less than half that amount following the club’s relegation from the Premier League to the Championship.

In a letter read by City AM, Mayor Khan responded to Assembly member Bassam Mahfouz’s suggestion of a sale. “As you rightly note, we have had to make the best of a challenging contractual position inherited from the previous Mayor (Boris Johnson),” he said, adding that he is proud of the progress made to ensure the stadium works hard for Londoners.

Khan continued, “I have always been clear that we would consider any credible proposal for the stadium, provided it offers value for taxpayers, protects the public interest and preserves the wider economic, social and sporting benefits the venue delivers for London.”

Ownership could reshape club

Supporters have long questioned the suitability of the bowl‑shaped venue, built for track and field, which they feel does not feel like a true football ground. The Boleyn Ground, their home for 112 years, was famed for its intimate atmosphere, a contrast to the long‑range view many fans experience in the upper tier of the current stadium.

With a capacity of around 68,000 – expandable to 80,000 for concerts – ownership could unlock significant revenue and allow the Hammers to redesign the stands that were originally curved to the running track but have since been squared off.

Earlier interest in buying the stadium came from former Newcastle United chief Amanda Staveley, who was reportedly keen when she was exploring investment in the club. That bid fell through after Daniel Kretinsky agreed to become the majority shareholder.

Should West Ham secure the London Stadium, the club would move from a costly tenancy to full control, potentially stabilising its finances and giving fans a more permanent home, while the city would retain a venue that delivers public and economic benefits under a new ownership model.