West Ham United has reached an agreement with London Stadium LLP and Athletics Ventures to allow the London Stadium to be included as a host venue in the UK Government-backed bid for the 2029 World Athletics Championships. The deal, announced on Thursday, August 6, follows detailed negotiations and removes a major obstacle to London's bid, which had been threatened by the football club's fixture schedule and its recent relegation to the Championship.
Agreement Secured After Lengthy Talks
The agreement ensures that the stadium will be available for the athletics event, with West Ham stating that the club's "highest priority has always been the West Ham United supporters" and that any agreed programme will have "minimal impact" on the football schedule. The club also confirmed that "a number of new initiatives" will be undertaken to "enhance the stadium and matchday experience for supporters."
In a statement, West Ham said: "West Ham United can confirm it has reached an agreement with London Stadium LLP and Athletics Ventures for London Stadium to be included as a host venue as part of a UK Government backed bid to hold the 2029 World Athletics Championships in London. The agreement follows a period of detailed negotiations with the organisers, London Stadium operators, local and national government officials, and the relevant football governing bodies."
Hodgkinson's Cheeky Dig Sparks Action
The breakthrough comes after Olympic 800 metres champion Keely Hodgkinson publicly urged West Ham to allow the championships to take place. In a post on X, she wrote: "The GB team will bring back more medals to that stadium than West Ham have seen in their entire history." She later added that she had "enjoyed the rattled comments" and urged the club to "let us have this moment."
Hodgkinson also expressed her desire to compete at a global championships in London, saying: "In all seriousness, to have a global championships back in London would be incredible for our sport. I didn't think we'd get the opportunity again during my career."
Impact on Football Schedule to Be Determined
West Ham noted that any impact on the football schedule will be confirmed once it is known which division and other competitions the club will be competing in during the 2029/30 season. The statement added: "Further discussions with the relevant football governing bodies can then take place to review and mitigate against any potential impact on the fixture schedule."
London last hosted a sold-out World Athletics Championships in 2017. Organisers, who filed an expression of interest last year, have now submitted their final bid, having ironed out the deal with West Ham.
Support from Key Figures
UK Athletics CEO Jack Buckner praised the collaboration, saying: "Bidding to hold the World Athletics Championships in the London Stadium, the showpiece of London 2012, was always at the centre of the UK's Olympic legacy plans. We are very grateful to the Government, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Mayor of London and UK Sport for their fantastic support for this bid. We're delighted that we have reached agreement with the London Stadium and West Ham United for the use of the London Stadium and our sincere thanks for their commitment in making this happen."
The bid has been backed by the UK government and London mayor Sadiq Khan, and the agreement with West Ham is seen as a crucial step towards securing the event. London's previous hosting of the championships in 2017 was a major success, and organisers are hopeful of replicating that achievement in 2029.
