London Stadium Sports Fan Tips
London Stadium is a venue in or near London that is most often used for Soccer
Best Food and Drink at London Stadium?
Compared to other grounds, London Stadium has some of the best food and drink options in the country. Its concourses are filled with over 20 bars offering alcoholic and soft drinks, as well as 12 bars that pride themselves on serving real ale sourced by the club itself. Food options are varied and there is a host of different choices. From grill kiosks offering up burgers, chicken wraps and sausages to street food booths serving burritos, stir frys and carved meat sandwiches; there is something for everyone - even for those with a sweet tooth, with doughnuts and other treats available. You will pay more for the food and the surroundings however, there are reduced prices and great deals in the 'Hammer Happy Hour', which is the first hour that the turnstiles are open. You can also get meal deals such as a 'Pie and a Pint' for £8.50 or 'Nacho's and a soft drink' for £7.30.
Best restaurants near London Stadium?
Stratford is a bustling district of London, and as such there are ample choices for food before and after the game. Many fans choose to go the Westfield Shopping Center as there are over 60 different restaurants and bars open all day serving great food. Restaurant inside Westfield include 'Franco Manca', a pizza restaurant serving meals from £4.50; 'Wahaca' offers Mexican food at reasonable prices with burritos starting at £6.40. Stratford is a multicultural melting pot, and aas such you can find cuisine ranging from Vietnamese at 'Namo' to Middle Eastern fare at 'D'Gafe'. There is of course traditional pub food to be found at establishments such as 'The Golden Grove'
Things to check out around London Stadium?
West Ham have recently started offering Stadium Tours, which for £17, takes you all through the ground itself, from the hospitability levels and the press area, to the changing rooms - letting you experience life as a player, walking down the tunnel to the team dugouts, even sitting in the managers seat! London Stadium is in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park which has a wealth of things to do - from looking at the artwork and poetry that are everywhere, to having fun with the family and visiting the Arcelormittal Orbit Tower, enjoying amazing views before sliding or abseiling down!
What to expect from the London Stadium crowd?
Since West Ham's move to the London Stadium at the beginning of the 2016/17 season, there have been mixed opinions about the atmosphere in the stadium itself. As it is an old athletics stadium, used for the London Olympics, there is a large running track that separates the seats from the pitch itself, that can creates a distance. Like other larger stadiums, unless it sells out its 60,000 capacity, it can seem a little lacking. If you are looking for an atmosphere filled with chants and songs, the best area to sit would be behind the goals in the Trevor Brooking Stand and the Bobby Moore Stand. The Trevor Brooking Stand houses home and away fans, and such the atmosphere here is usually intense. The West Ham faithful have kept the clubs tradition of singing 'I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles' alive and well and always accompany the song by making bubbles themselves, creating a great spectacle!
Best Insider tip at London Stadium?
London Stadium and the area around it is constantly evolving, and turning into something really special; West Ham's new home. Fans should ensure to set off on their journey to the ground in good time as the stations have been known to get very busy. Food and drink inside the stadium is fantastic, especially compared to other grounds, so be sure to make the most of the 'Hammer Happy Hour' - in the first hour after the gates open. Remember to have your singing voice and to bring some bubbles to take part in the anthem 'I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles' that marks the start of every West Ham game!
Best Pubs around London Stadium?
As the fans have only been going to London Stadium for a few months, there is still a fluid nature to where West Ham fans go to drink before the game. Westfield Shopping Centre is home to many pubs that are proving popular such as 'The Cow', 'Cafe Football' (owned by Manchester United legends Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs). For more traditional pubs, fans should look to the Stratford Broadway area, to pubs such as 'The Langthorpe', and the 'The Builders Arms', opposite the DLR station, this is gathering pace as the place to go as it serves traditional Pie and mashed potatoes as well. A number of pubs in Stratford have declared themselves for home fans only, however the 'Golden Grove' - Wetherspoons pub allows both home and away fans.
How do I get to London Stadium?
The best way to get to London Stadium, is by taking the tube or the train to Stratford Station or Stratford International Station. Stratford Station is served by the DLR, Jubilee and Central lines, as well as overland train services. Stratford International Station is accessed by the DLR line, and South Eastern Highspeed 1 services.Stratford Station is in Zone 2, so a one way ticket from London's city center, will cost £4.90 one way, though you may be better off getting an all day pass for £12.10. The 2 stations are a 20 minute walk away from the stadium itself, though there is a shuttle bus reserved for disabled visitors.Stratford Bus station is also a 20 minute walk away, and can be accessed by a range of buses including: 25, 86, 97, 104, 108, 158, 241, 257, 262, 276, 308, 425, 473, D8 services.
London Stadium seating?
London Stadium is still evolving and the West Ham fans are still getting used to life in their new ground. The seats that offer the best views, are those closest to the pitch itself - deemed category 1. These seats, especially those running the length of the pitch can cost around £50 - £80 per ticket. Tickets get cheaper as you get further and further away from the pitch with category B and C tickets ranging from £50, for seats near the half way line, to £25 for seats at the back of the stadium. Bare in mind, that if your tickets are at the back of the ground then you may need to being binoculars along to get the best experience. Away fans are seated in the South West section of the Trevor Brooking Stand.