The London Stadium was originally built for the London 2012
Olympic and Paralympic Games. After the Games, it was modified to
become a permanent, multi-use stadium on the Queen Elizabeth
Olympic Park.
The stadium is used for a number of purposes, although its
primary use is as a football stadium:
- In March 2013, West Ham United Football Club (WHUFC) was
confirmed as the Stadium's long-term concessionaire with a
99-year concession commencing in 2016.[1]
- In July 2013, UK Athletics agreed a 50-year concession with
the Stadium becoming the new national competition centre for
athletics. The Diamond League London Athletic Meet is due to be
held at the stadium on 18 July 2026.
- The London Stadium is a major concert venue. In June and July
2026, the stadium hosted concerts by Take That and Metallica.
WHUFC pays around £4.6 million per year in rent to London Stadium
LLP. However, a clause in the agreement means that the club's
rent will now drop by around £2.5 million because it was
relegated from the Premier League to the Championship at the end
of the 2025-26 football season.[2]
The Mayor's Chief of Staff, David Bellamy, previously told the
London Assembly that West Ham's relegation would, very
broadly, cost the taxpayer £2 million to £2.5 million a
year.[3]
On Monday, the London Assembly Economy,
Culture and Skills Committee will question the Chair of
the London Stadium LLP on the future of the London Stadium, and
what additional costs will land with the taxpayer.
The Committee will also speak with London's
business leaders on the potential opportunities and challenges of
the Overnight Visitor Levy being introduced in London.
The guests are:
Panel 1 (Overnight Visitor Levy) - 14:00 approx.
15:20:
-
OBE, Deputy Mayor
for Business and Growth
-
Matthew Fell, Director of Competitiveness,
BusinessLDN
-
Kate Nicholls OBE, Chair of
UKHospitality
-
Anthony Breach, Director of Policy and
Research, Centre for Cities
Panel 2 (London Stadium) - approx. 15:30 17:00:
-
Lyn Garner, Chair, London Stadium LLP
The meeting will take place on Monday 20 July
from 2pm, in the Chamber at City Hall, Kamal
Chunchie Way, E16 1ZE.
Notes for editors:
- LLDC, London Stadium LLP, accessed 2 July 2027. Available
at:https://www.queenelizabetholympicpark.co.uk/about-us/who-we-are/london-stadium-llp
- Financial Times, London Stadium back in
spotlight after West Ham's Premier League exit, 30 May 2026
-
Transcript of Budget &
Performance Committee meeting, page 12, 18 November 2025
- Read the agenda in
full.
