West Ham could be in for a shock in eleven days’ time if a recent poll is to be believed.
The online poll run by Claret and Hugh associate editor Sean Whetstone reveals that as many as 45% of existing season tickets have no plan to renew.
The poll on X asked West Ham Season Ticket Holders ‘With 12 days until the West Ham season ticket renewal deadline on 2 June’
The post seen by over 10,000 people received 1,391 votes with 37.5% saying they have already renewed, 17.2% claiming they plan to renew and 45.4% saying they have no intention to renew.
If taken at face value this would mean an exodus of around 22,000 supporters from the London Stadium.
Since the move to Stratford season ticket renewals have ranged between 88% and 97% but this summer could record a time low percentage.
West Ham season ticket renewal rates: 2017 (89%) 2018 (92%) 2019 (94% ) 2020 n/a (COVID) 2021 (88%) 2022 (97%) 2023 (94%) 2024 (90%)
Season ticket holders tend to renew in the last week with the majority renewing in the last forty-eight hours, so it is too early to say.
The club offered three additional loyalty points and the chance to purchase two additional season tickets for those who renewed before the end of March but there was only a modest take up of that offer.
2,500 new season tickets were offered last month with around 800 of these snapped up by season ticket holders.
It remains to be seen how many of the 45% actually vote with their feet and walk away from the London Stadium when the deadline arrives on 2 June.
Sean you would think is a bright boy as he goes on continually about his luxury life. You would have thought that he might have known that ‘polls on a website’ basically mean nothing. Firstly sites tend to have a bias. Take this site, most of the posters are (maybe for good reason) are vocal of their dislike for the owners. The vast majority of West Ham fans don’t come here. It’s not that representative of the fan base. Secondly people vote in online polls to express displeasure. It’s like online reviews. People post when they are unhappy. Thirdly there’s very little control over an online poll. You can usually vote as many times as you want. You can magnify your views. The renewal rate will be down but it will be nothing like the number’s Sean’s ‘poll’ suggests. But then renewal rates across the PL may be struggling this year. The cost, more games on the TV and the general idea that the product is being sanitized won’t just impact West Ham.. And then it’s exactly what the owners want. There’s far more money in selling those tickets to tourists. Ever seen how much a ‘hospitality package’ (and there’s not much to it) is with a ho hum seat at the London stadium these days? One match is not far short of what a season ticket costs.
Sean will claim that the poll is ‘just a bit of fun’. No Sean it’s clicks to pay for your next cognac at the Ivy.
We’ll still have a waiting list after this allocation is snapped up. Good for everyone to have a turnover of season ticket holders. Helps to keep it real and for more interested people to make friends and enjoy supporting West Ham United.
COYI
I went to a car show instead of watching the Forest game, I’ve never been so disillusioned. The poor decision making is tearing the soul out of the club.
After the last season under Moyes, followed by Sully picking JLo and Potter to keep us entertained it’s not really much of a shock is it!