Stadium update: Irons looking at 66,000 capacity

Ambitious West Ham are considering increasing the capacity of the Olympic Stadium – to cater for an anticipated growth in season and match ticket demand from Hammers fans.

Last week, ClaretandHugh revealed the number of seats the rebuilt Olympic Stadium would be reduced to 66,510, down from the original 80,000 capacity when the arena hosted the 2012 London Games.

But in an interview with The Daily Mail, Karren Brady has confirmed discussions are at an advanced stage to ensure more fans are able to watch the east London club in action.

“It would certainly seem the interest is there,’ says Brady. ‘We have to look at the logistics of it because these would be the seats furthest from the pitch, so we have to make sure they are worth having. There is no point sticking someone in a corner with a poor view. But if the sight lines are still good, we could fit in 66,000. It’s a very exciting prospect.”

At the moment planning permission and the safety certificate restricts capacity to 54,000 for the Hammers although interestingly if any other football game is played there, such as a Champions League final or an international fixture, the capacity increases to 60,000.

The Hammers plan would put the club ahead of Manchester City, whose recently expanded Etihad stadium now holds 55,000 fans, and the Emirates (Arsenal), which has a capacity of just over 60,000. Even Spurs’ new stadium is only designed to hold 61,000 while Chelsea’s redeveloped Stamford Bridge will boast 60,000.

Should the plans get the green light, the only club in England left with a greater capacity will be Manchester United, whose Old Trafford stadium can hold 76,000 spectators.

According to the article, “despite erratic form at the start of their final season at Upton Park, West Ham’s owners are greatly encouraged by the take-up of tickets at the Olympic venue. They will move in at the start of next season, 2016-17. And with the current capacity at 54,000, there is the potential to fill in space around the top of the arena with another 12,000 seats”.

Touch wood, the club’s top brass will also ensure season ticket prices are pegged back. Now wouldn’t that be a real win-win situation!

However, an insider told Claret and Hugh this morning that the capacity is unlikely to increase in the first season in the Olympic Stadium and this is very much forward thinking for the club. The insider told us “Given our current sales pattern we will sell out so I think people really need to buy their seat in their allocated window”