London Stadium

The London Stadium is one of the most famous sports venues in the United Kingdom. The venue is located in the eastern part of London. It was originally built as the Olympic Stadium for the 2012 Games. Today, the stadium serves as the home ground for West Ham United Football Club. It also hosts major cultural events, such as concerts by world-class artists.

The History of the London Stadium

In 2012, the United Kingdom hosted the Summer Olympic Games. An arena suitable for track and field athletes needed to be built for the competitions. Thus, the decision was made to construct the London Stadium. Once the Olympic Games had concluded, the venue was refurbished. Following this, the facility became multi-purpose, hosting both sporting and cultural events.

In 2016, the stadium became the home ground for West Ham United. This is how the venue acquired its second name — West Ham Stadium. Prior to this, the club had trained at the legendary Upton Park, so expectations for the new ground were very high. However, the well-equipped and comfortable London Stadium proved to be an excellent choice for the team.

Unlike the Emirates Stadium, West Ham’s venue was originally designed as an Olympic facility. The arena boasts unique architecture and is ideal for large-scale events. It has everything necessary for both athletes and spectators.

Events at the London Stadium

The venue hosts more than just football matches between home and away teams. The London Stadium has been chosen to host major world-class shows.

The stadium regularly hosts major sporting events. It is used particularly frequently for athletics championships. Rugby matches are also held here from time to time, although not on the same scale as at Twickenham Stadium. And, of course, the arena is regularly visited by West Ham United fans keen to support their favourite team.

The stadium often serves as a venue for major music events. For example, it hosted a spectacular pop show by Little Mix.

Rock musicians such as Biffy Clyro also love the arena. Rap artists, such as Slowthai, have performed here too. The arena also hosted a concert by his wife, the singer Anne-Marie.

The performance by indie rock band Wet Leg at the London Stadium was a spectacular show. Many locals and tourists also attended a concert by British celebrity Olly Murs. London-based bands generally love this venue and often invite audiences here specifically.

Sam Fender and Wolf Alice, for example, have done just that. Tens of thousands of spectators gathered at many concerts, such as The Libertines performance.

Where is the London Stadium located?

The stadium is situated in London, in the Stratford area, within the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. This location was not chosen by chance. The area around the stadium boasts well-developed infrastructure:

• a major transport hub;
• the popular Westfield Stratford City shopping centre;
• several Underground stations;
• a riverside promenade and a park for walking.

The presence of a large car park nearby (within Westfield Stratford) makes the stadium convenient for both tourists and local residents.

London Stadium Seating Plan

Like Wembley Stadium, the venue has a well-designed seating plan. As a result, spectators enjoy a good view from every section. This is achieved thanks to the multi-tiered structure of the stadium.

Wide aisles and separate food and drink areas make the London Stadium particularly convenient to visit. Special VIP areas are also available for those seeking a higher level of comfort.

The seating plan in the stadium varies depending on the event. Please study the plan carefully when purchasing tickets.

How do I get to the London Stadium?

There are several ways to get to the London Stadium.

Underground

Get off at Stratford station. Walk across the bridge and you’ll find yourself right in front of Queen Elizabeth Park.

Train

You can reach Stratford Station on suburban train lines. The most convenient options are:

• Central and Jubilee lines;
• Elizabeth Line;
• London Overground trains;
• Docklands Light Railway.

There are 58 different trains passing near the stadium, so you won’t have to wait long for the right one.

Bus

You can reach the stadium by buses 388, 308, 339, D8. The D8 runs directly through the park and stops right in front of the stadium.

Car

The stadium management recommends using public transport. If you decide to drive, you can park your car or motorbike near the stadium at Stratford Westfield. You should book a space in advance, especially during major events.

From the airport

• London City Airport: to Stratford station on the Docklands Light Railway.
• London Heathrow: take the Elizabeth Line directly to Stratford station or the Piccadilly Line to King’s Cross St Pancras, then change to a train to Stratford.
• London Gatwick: take the Thameslink train to St Pancras International station, then take the Southeastern high-speed service to Stratford International station.
• London Stansted: take the Stansted Express to Liverpool Street station, then change to the Central Line to Stratford. You can also take the National Express coach and travel directly to Stratford City.

Information for visitors

Hotels near London Stadium

The hotels closest to the venue are:

• Adagio Original London Stratford — apartments with fully equipped kitchens, cosy communal areas and a high standard of service (London Stadium visitors are eligible for a 10% discount on their stay);
• London Stratford Aparthotel to Central London — a four-star hotel. It is located next to Westfield Stratford City and a 2-minute walk from the tube station. Ideal for those wishing to explore the park, the Olympic venues and central London.
• Westbridge Hotel — located a 20-minute walk from Westfield Stratford City. Please note that the hotel does not have a car park, so it is worth finding somewhere to leave your car in advance.
• London House Hotel — an affordable 3-star hotel. It is located near the park and offers everything you need for a comfortable stay.

It is worth booking hotel rooms in advance, especially if you are planning to attend a major concert or international competition.

Restaurants and pubs near the London Stadium

Catering at the stadium is provided by Delaware North. Guests are offered a wide selection of food and drinks, which can be ordered in advance. There are numerous restaurants, cafés and pubs within Queen Elizabeth Park. These include:

• Boleyn — a bar located directly inside the stadium, with a lively sporting atmosphere;
• Riverside East — a European restaurant in the park where you can have lunch or dinner with a view of the river;
• Draughts — a restaurant where you can not only enjoy a meal but also have fun playing board games;
• The Cow — a gastropub serving traditional British cuisine, where you can also sample oysters and other seafood.

Here you can find both street food and establishments serving delicacies from all corners of the world. If you’d like to visit a food court, it’s worth popping into the Westfield Stratford City shopping centre.

Alcohol is prohibited at some events. Check this in advance to avoid any issues when visiting the stadium.

Parking

There is no free parking near the stadium. Only Blue Badge holders may park near the arena, but the number of spaces is extremely limited. Visitors are advised to use the nearby car parks or plan their visit using public transport.

Contact details and postcode

Address: Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London.

Postcode: E20.

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