My Experience At The West Ham London Stadium

London is a football lover’s paradise, home to some of the most iconic and electrifying stadiums in the world. From the legendary Wembley Stadium, where history is written with every final played, to the fierce atmosphere of Stamford Bridge and the breath taking modernity of Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the city offers an unforgettable matchday experience. Whether it’s the passion of Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium, the old-school charm of Craven Cottage, or the roaring intensity of Selhurst Park, each ground tells its own story, steeped in history, rivalries, and unforgettable moments. In London, football isn’t just a game—it’s a way of life.

For the first time I took a visit down to West Ham's London Stadium to watch them play Fulham which resulted in a win for West Ham as they took home 3 points. Before diving into the game itself, I'd like to breakdown my overall experience attending the stadium, reviewing the hospitality, transportation links and the general atmosphere with the fans.

West Ham United’s football stadium, the London Stadium, is located in Stratford, East London, within Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. It is well connected by public transport, making it easy to reach. With hardly any complications getting there, my journey to the stadium was effortless as I took the Jubilee line which took me to the closest station Stratford, served by the London Underground. Other alternative lines to get to Stratford include the DLR, London Overground, and National Rail services. It is however important to note that if driving, parking is limited, so public transport is the best option for most visitors.

The stadium has been the club’s home since 2016 after their move from the historic Boleyn Ground (Upton Park). Originally built for the 2012 Olympic Games, the stadium was transformed into a football venue and now holds over 60,000 fans. West Ham United, founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC, has a rich history in English football, known for their attacking style and strong academy that produced legends like Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst, and Martin Peters, key figures in England’s 1966 World Cup victory.

With high spirits among the attendees, I arrived at the stadium anticipating for what would be an exciting London Derby. It is historically known that West Ham was known for their infamous supporters advocating football hooligan behaviour. With those disreputable fans, it was hard to ever see West Ham with a complete knew image. Having said that, I could evidentially see and feel a warm family friendly environment as soon as I entered the stadium.

Before the game kicked off, the stadium roared as it became surrounded with uplifting songs and melodies urging fans to perk up their spirits and build momentum. Supporters all then participated in the build up by singing classic West Ham song 'I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles'. With every club having their own personal song with a warm notion behind it, it is always a nice experience hearing the crowd sing out their teams anthem showing solidarity.

In a game that highlighted the importance of taking chances and minimizing mistakes, West Ham emerged victorious, moving up to 12th in the Premier League table. Fulham, despite their commendable attacking efforts, were left to reflect on what might have been had they been more defensively solid. This match being Graham Potter's first Premier League game in charge of West Ham was one to remember. Leaving his mark with a strong win, Potter and The Hammers left the feeling optimistic about the remaining games left of the season.

Overall, my experience attending the West Ham game was a memorable one for the books. With a diverse crowd from different ages, backgrounds and races there was a sense of inclusivity and mutual respect from both rival teams. The stadium itself has it's own personality and charisma which emulates the West Ham team. If the opportunity to attend a game arose again, there would be no hesitation!