Fewer seats are to be installed at the Olympic Stadium than was originally agreed, it has been revealed.
But the changes will have no impact on Hammers fans, as the club is only seeking to cater for a maximum of 54,000 fans at its home games – and there are a further 12,000 seats available if demand starts to exceed supply.
Once the Olympic Stadium adopts football-style seating, the ground’s capacity will drop to 66,510 – a much lower figure than the 74,400 that was originally envisaged.
During London 2012, the stadium attracted 80,000-strong all-seated crowds.
The rebuild of the stadium was always going to reduce its overall capacity – but the biggest surprise is the 55,000 upper stand seats, which, according to London Legacy Development Corporation, have been reduced to accommodate 44,336 fans.
While this doesn’t pose any headaches at all for West Ham in the foreseeable future, it has the potential to scale back the club’s ambitions if they hit a purple patch and demand to watch Slaven Bilic’s side grows.
Meanwhile, there will be 253 wheel chair accessible seats (including a companion seat) when the stadium is being used for football. When it reverts to ‘athletics mode, this number will grow to 429.
Why, we would place in those seats the heads of those over whom we were victorious in battle. Fill ’em up right quick! COYI!
The stadium is going to look terrible with great big areas of seats covered up.