‘The worst’ – West Ham fans respond after being asked about atmosphere at the London Stadium

‘The worst’ – West Ham fans respond after being asked by a journalist this week about the atmosphere on matchdays at the London Stadium.

Roshane Thomas has received hundreds of replies about their experiences at home games at the London Stadium, focusing on the atmosphere and attendance trends.

The Hammers moved to the London Stadium from Upton Park in 2016, a move that has not gone down well with majority of supporters.

The query aligns with ongoing discussions about the club’s performance, currently 16th in the Premier League, and fan dissatisfaction highlighted in recent matchday experiences.

Keen to speak to #WHUFC fans about the atmosphere at the London Stadium. Do you enjoy going to home games? Have you stopped going this season? Appreciate it ⚒️

— Roshane Thomas (@RoshaneSport) February 19, 2025

The utter madness of West Ham United leaving Upton Park for this. pic.twitter.com/0RtqgAnZ6a

— Stand Up For Barry (@StandUpForBarry) February 18, 2025

Hammers.News say in their blog: “West Ham were awarded the anchor tenancy of the ground, leaving their beloved Upton Park against the wishes of many fans back in 2016.

“Since then the London Stadium has earned a reputation as one of the worst grounds in the Premier League.

“West Ham may have one of the biggest stadiums in the country, but it’s not without its problems.

“One of the major grievances for Hammers fans about the ground has always been the distances between the upper and lower tiers in places and from the terraces to the pitch.

“Is it any wonder given they have gone from Upton Park, where supporters were almost on top of the players on the pitch, to the bowl-shaped former Olympic Stadium.

“Since moving to Stratford, there has been in-fighting, pitch invasions and protests with the stadium the issue at the heart of all the problems.

“The biggest shift has been the atmosphere.

“It has taken years of adjustment and the atmosphere has suffered.

“West Ham are regularly taunted by their opponents – and especially Spurs – ‘you sold your soul for this s—hole’.

“After a period of relative serenity, Hammers fans have been particularly vocal about their dislike of the stadium in recent weeks.

“But it appears the club’s vice-chair is blissfully unaware.

“Because Brady completely misses the point as she brags about how West Ham beat Spurs to the stadium most of their fans can’t stand.

“The Baroness proudly trumpets the fact West Ham agreed to keep the Olympic Legacy – the one thing which effectively prevents the London Stadium being a proper bona fide football arena.

“And she says the Hammers won the race because Tottenham wanted to knock it down – something most West Ham fans feel their club should have pushed to do.”

Karren Brady talks London Stadium move, West Ham, managers, the football governance bill

‘The worst’ – West Ham fans respond after being asked about atmosphere at the London Stadium…

@aljanon5: The constant queuing from Stratford international before and after the game is soul destroying, started going non league, much better match day experience where you feel like a fan and not a customer

@coster_ray: I’m not renewing my ST after this season, the football experience, getting to and from the ground, the security queues the non existent atmosphere, being surrounded by non West Ham supporting tourists, day trippers and away fans in the home ends it’s not for me

@billycurwood1: Fucking hate it. Going before felt like a day out back at Upton Park. Now it feels an utter chore to go. Atmosphere flat, half assed performances very regular and way too many tonkings. All while being promised we would be moving to the next level.

@Tatts__: First game i attended this season was Brentford. Having some time away as I wasnt keen on the JLo appointment. Came back this weekend, still disappointed. I think there is an underlying frustration, coupled with a high expectation that ultimately leads to disappointment. We need more crowd engagement. A dedicated drum area, that gets the songs going and gets the crowd going… Atmosphere sucks now vs Upton Park (and weve got more to sing about now!!) I think its worse when you can see the lack of effort on the pitch

@LifeofTurk97: Been a ST holder since the start of this season, got the cheap one which has me sitting in the sky, BAD football, terrible view and there is absolutely 0 atmosphere in the sky. It almost feels illegal to start chanting at the top coz you feel like a tit when no 1 else follows.

@vinnywhufc: So I feel there are actually a couple of topics that will be conflated when people answer this question. The atmosphere at the Olympic Stadium isn’t great but the atmosphere at most Premier League games is poor. When clubs get promoted (who haven’t been in the PL for a while) you instantly see a great atmosphere. Stoke had it when they got promoted at the end of the 00s but the banality of their existence in the PL (like most) saw that seep away. Forest are going through it now. Easily the nosiest fans in the league at home. When it’s a big game West Ham will get good noise going even if the stadiums design is flawed . If we are talking about the stadium and how it has changed West Ham and effected matchday experience then that is another debate backed up by the reality and multiple stories that would attest to its demise. I got to fewer home games than ever now because I just don’t enjoy it. I don’t think I’m alone in that but it’s not because there is no noise at the stadium.

@AlfieJohnson7: It’s painful going, from the ridiculous searches going in, the long cues getting in, so many tourists/away fans in the home ends, was never clear where the singing/standing sections is. Atmosphere is terrible for 90% of games. Stewards are awful. Then leaving, the stop/go signs

@westhamnewshub: It’s an absolute chore, still go regularly as a Season Ticket but the atmosphere around the outside of the ground, and then inside is awful. The worst part is the owners know the fans will attend regardless. I do feel the fans could do more to create an atmosphere in the ground but I’m not sure many are lovers of the match-day experience #WHUFC ⚒️

@simonlarner1969: Stopped going 2 years ago. Hate everything about the stadium

@WHUFCGeezer: The place is and always has been utterly soulless. Our identify was left at the Boleyn. Increasingly the hard core support is dwindling and its becoming a daytrippers resort as the growing number of half and half scarf Sellers demonstrate.

@eugene_gaughan:
World class stadium
Nope
World class team
Nope
World class transport links
Nope
The walk. The shambolic security process. The stewards. The facilities.
Away fans everywhere
Over the years it’s got worse.
I used to get a buzz going to a home game now it’s a chore

@mikecawston: Worst ‘football’ stadium in the country. Away fans hate it. Terrible match day experience. Terrible atmosphere due to design of stadium. Stop/Go boards of death on the way out. So far from what was promised. I’ll be knocking it on the head end of season. Non league for me.

@ExWHUCanteen: Make no mistake the place can be good (Europa knock out nights) but the layout means when it’s bad it’s really bad. Bridges between tiers? Away fan wall killing the usually most passionate corner of the ground. I hate the place but keep going like a mug

@paulnobbyturner: Its shit, getting there is shit, getting in is shit, being searched is shit, the beer is shit, the food is shit, having away fans in the home end is shit, stewarding is shit, popcorn is shit, the stop go signs are shit, the owners are shit. Have I missed anything???????

@mickysz: The walk in is shite , the queue to get in is shite. The other queue to get in is shite. They should have two lanes just for people who are stupid enough to bring bags the rest should be bag free. The food is shite , the beer is shite, the meccano set is shite. Not as promised

@Baz210803537461: It could be so better but Brady has allowed the Stadium owners to dictate certain policies on us that make it absolutely awful to get in and out of the Park. The stewarding is spiteful at times, the searching is filth plus away fans sitting in our ends is constantly ignored.