Hammers confirm 6,000 capacity rise at OS

West Ham has officially confirmed the Olympic Stadium will increase to 60,000 for Hammers games this coming season in August, just as Claret and Hugh told you last week.

WHUFC.com  released a statement saying:  “In conjunction with the London Legacy Development Corporation, Newham Council and Stadium operators LS185, West Ham United are delighted to announce that the former Olympic Stadium will now boast a capacity of 60,000 for Hammers matchdays. The move will see the release of 6,000 additional seats, so that even more West Ham fans will be able to enjoy the team’s debut season on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The Club announced late last year that the number of people registered on the Season Ticket Priority List five times exceeded the number of seasonal seats available. In the months since, the West Ham Board have been working closely with their stadium partners on how to accommodate the maximum number of Hammers fans.”

The club has previously confirmed that 5,000 of the additional 6,000 seats will sold as band 5 season tickets priced at just £289.  The news means that over 8,000 seats will be sold at the £289 season ticket price, which is the cheapest season ticket in the Premier League. An additional 8,000 seats have been to under 16 season ticket holders at £99. They have certainly delivered on their promise of affordable football.

Claret and Hugh understand that the West Ham Priority List reached a height of an incredible 50,000 in total although around 10,000 of those have since bought a season ticket. An additional 5,000 seats will now be offered a chance to buy a golden ticket but this will still leave approximately 35,000 on the list without a  season ticket.  The 35,000 strong list will be re-branded the West Ham waiting list and will be one of the season ticket largest waiting lists  in the Premier League.

If someone told you a year ago West Ham would have around 50,000 season ticket holders at the Olympic Stadium next season and a waiting list of 35,000 supporters you would say they were mad. How times change and  remember the doubters and haters said we would never fill it. Be careful what you wish for.