West Ham United are one of English football’s most historically significant clubs. Three 1966 World Cup winners. A European trophy that predates the Premier League by three decades. One of the most emotional stadium moves in modern football history. And, in 2023, their first major silverware in 43 years – won in Prague, in stoppage time, against the odds.
If you’re heading to London Stadium for a West Ham match, you’re not just going to a game. You’re walking into something with real weight behind it.
Here’s your complete guide to West Ham, London Stadium, and how to make the most of a match day in Stratford.
The History Behind the West Ham Shirt
The History of West Ham‘s story starts not in east London’s terraces but on the Thames riverbank, in a shipyard.
The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC – the works team of the Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Company, whose foreman Arnold Hills used football to build community among his workers. According to West Ham United’s official history, Thames Ironworks played their first match at Browning Road on 6 March 1897, securing a 3-2 London League victory over Ilford. The hammers in the club crest have been there ever since – a direct nod to the ironworkers who started the whole thing.
The colours came from Arnold Hills himself, who donated the first strip in Cambridge blue and dark blue halves. It wasn’t until 1904 that the club settled into the claret and blue they’ve worn ever since, taking inspiration from Aston Villa. Over a century later, those colours are as recognisable as any in English football.
The Academy of Football – and the 1966 World Cup
Here’s a statistic that stops people in their tracks.
When England lifted the World Cup at Wembley on 30 July 1966, three of the eleven men on the pitch were West Ham players. Bobby Moore captained the side. Geoff Hurst scored a hat-trick – the only one ever scored in a World Cup final. Martin Peters scored England’s second goal. The greatest moment in English football history, and West Ham contributed its three most important players.
Bobby Moore is, justifiably, the club’s most revered figure. He made 646 appearances for West Ham across 16 years, captained the club for the majority of that time, and remains the only English player ever to have lifted the World Cup as captain. The statue of him outside the old Boleyn Ground – and now outside London Stadium – tells you everything you need to know about what he means to this club and this part of London.
West Ham have long called themselves the Academy of Football, and the tradition of producing world-class talent runs deep. The same era that produced Moore, Hurst and Peters also delivered a European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1965, beating TSV 1860 Munich 2-0 at Wembley. It remains one of the proudest nights in the club’s history.
FA Cup wins followed in 1964, 1975 and 1980, cementing a trophy record that few clubs outside the traditional top six can match.
The Conference League – Prague, 2023
For a generation of West Ham supporters, 7 June 2023 is the date that defines everything.
West Ham United beat Fiorentina 2-1 in the UEFA Europa Conference League Final in Prague, ending a 43-year wait for major silverware. Said Benrahma opened the scoring from the penalty spot. Fiorentina equalised. Then Jarrod Bowen – one of the most important players in the club’s recent history – scored the winner deep in stoppage time. 90+3 minutes. The ground went delirious. Players and fans were in tears.
It was West Ham’s first European trophy since 1965. Their first major trophy since the FA Cup in 1980. A genuinely historic night, and one the club – and its supporters – had been waiting a very long time for.
The squad that delivered it was built under manager David Moyes, who transformed a side that was very nearly relegated in 2019 into a European trophy winner. It is one of English football’s more remarkable recent stories.
The Move to London Stadium
West Ham called the Boleyn Ground in Upton Park home for 112 years before making the move to London Stadium in the summer of 2016 – a decision that was significant, emotional, controversial and, ultimately, transformative.
The Boleyn Ground – opened in 1904, tucked tightly into the Green Street neighbourhood in Newham – was one of English football’s most atmospheric grounds. Its closure in May 2016, with a final match against Manchester United, was a genuine farewell to an era.
London Stadium had been built for the 2012 Olympics as an athletics venue, and adapting it for football was a substantial undertaking. West Ham took on the stadium as their new home on a long-term tenancy, becoming the anchor football tenant in a venue that is shared with athletics events, concerts and other major occasions throughout the year. With a capacity of 62,500 for football matches, it is one of the largest club grounds in England.
The transformation of the stadium and its immediate surroundings has been significant. Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park – in which the stadium sits – has evolved substantially since 2012, and the area around Stratford continues to develop as one of east London’s most exciting destinations.
Match Day at London Stadium
A West Ham match day at London Stadium has its own rhythm.
The stadium sits within Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, which means you’re arriving not into a congested urban street grid but into open park space – the waterways, the bridges, the ArcelorMittal Orbit, and the parkland that surrounds it all. It’s a genuinely different atmosphere from most English football grounds, and on a match day with the pre-match crowd building, it has a real energy to it.
Getting There
Public transport is the only sensible option on match days.
Stratford station is the main hub, served by the Elizabeth line, Jubilee line, DLR, London Overground and National Rail. From Stratford it’s roughly a 15-minute walk through the park to the stadium. West Ham station on the Hammersmith & City and District lines is the other primary option, dropping you very close to the stadium entrance.
Driving on match days is genuinely not recommended. Road closures, restricted parking and tens of thousands of people in the area make it a stressful experience that public transport avoids entirely.
Before the Match – Draughts London Stratford
If you’re arriving early – and you should be – here’s where to spend your time properly.
We’re at 5 Aquatics Walk, London E20 2AS, inside Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park itself, just a short walk from London Stadium. Draughts is a bar, restaurant and board game café with over 1,000 games, and proper food and drinks served at your table.
Whether you’re making a day of a mid-week fixture, meeting friends from across the country for a weekend match, or simply wanting somewhere decent to sit down and eat before kick-off – we’re the right place to do it. Pick a game from the library, order food and drinks, and settle in before heading into the stadium.
Match days bring a lot of people into the park. Book ahead – especially for big fixtures against top-six sides, cup games, or European nights when the atmosphere builds early and tables go fast.
Tips for a West Ham Match Day
- Book Draughts in advance. We fill up on match days, especially weekends and big fixtures. Do it now and avoid the stress.
- Arrive early. The walk through the park is a brilliant way to build up to kick-off. Don’t be rushing it.
- West Ham or Stratford station. Both work well. If you’re coming on the Elizabeth or Jubilee line, Stratford is likely easier. If you’re on the Hammersmith & City, West Ham is right there.
- Check the bag policy. London Stadium has rules on bag sizes – check the official London Stadium website before you travel.
- European nights are special. If West Ham are in European competition, the atmosphere at London Stadium for a big European night is genuinely exceptional. Worth going out of your way for.
Frequently asked questions about West Ham United
Where do West Ham play their home matches?
West Ham United play their home matches at London Stadium, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford, London E20 2ST. They moved there from the Boleyn Ground in Upton Park in 2016.
When was West Ham United founded?
West Ham United were founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC, the works team of a Newham shipyard. The club turned professional and renamed itself West Ham United in 1900.
What trophies have West Ham won?
West Ham have won the FA Cup three times (1964, 1975 and 1980), the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1965 and the UEFA Europa Conference League in 2023 – their first major trophy in 43 years.
Did West Ham win the Conference League?
Yes. West Ham beat Fiorentina 2-1 in the UEFA Europa Conference League Final in Prague on 7 June 2023, with Jarrod Bowen scoring the winner in the 90th minute. It was their first major trophy since the 1980 FA Cup.
What is the connection between West Ham and the 1966 World Cup?
Three West Ham players were part of England’s 1966 World Cup-winning squad: Bobby Moore (captain), Geoff Hurst (scorer of a hat-trick in the final, the only hat-trick in World Cup final history) and Martin Peters (scorer of England’s second goal). It remains the most significant single-club contribution to an England World Cup victory.
Who is Bobby Moore?
Bobby Moore was West Ham United’s captain for the majority of his 16-year career at the club, making 646 appearances. He captained both West Ham and England during the 1960s, lifting the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1965 and the World Cup in 1966. He remains the only Englishman ever to have lifted the World Cup as captain, and is widely considered the greatest player in West Ham’s history.
What is the capacity of London Stadium for football?
London Stadium holds 62,500 for West Ham matches, making it one of the largest club grounds in England. The capacity increases for concerts, where it can hold up to 80,000.
How do I get to London Stadium for a West Ham match?
Stratford station (Elizabeth line, Jubilee line, DLR, Overground and National Rail) is the best option for most visitors – it’s a 15-minute walk through Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to the stadium. West Ham station (Hammersmith & City and District lines) is also very close to the ground. Public transport is strongly recommended. Driving on match days is not advisable.
Where to eat near London Stadium before a West Ham match?
We’re Draughts London Stratford at 5 Aquatics Walk – a bar, restaurant and board game café inside Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, just minutes from London Stadium. Over 1,000 games, food and drinks served at your table, and the perfect place to settle in before kick-off. Book a table in advance on match days.
Why did West Ham leave Upton Park?
West Ham left the Boleyn Ground (Upton Park) in 2016 after 112 years, moving to London Stadium in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park as part of the stadium’s conversion from the 2012 Olympic athletics venue to a multi-use sports and entertainment arena. The final match at the Boleyn Ground took place in May 2016.
What other events happen at London Stadium?
London Stadium hosts concerts, athletics events and other major occasions throughout the year alongside West Ham home matches. Recent music acts at the stadium have included Metallica, Take That, Beyoncé and The Rolling Stones. It is one of the largest outdoor venues in the UK with a concert capacity of up to 80,000.
Is there somewhere to eat near London Stadium?
Draughts London Stratford at 5 Aquatics Walk is inside Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park – bar, restaurant and board game café with over 1,000 games and proper food and drinks at your table. A short walk from the stadium and the obvious place to eat before a match or unwind after one. Book ahead on match days.
