West Ham fans will be allowed back into the London Stadium on May 23 to support their team in person for the first time since a crowd of 2,000 returned in December 2020.
The UK Government has now announced the next stage of their roadmap with more Covid-19 restrictions easing, and this includes Premier League clubs being permitted to have supporters in attendance for the final two games of the season.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed on Monday afternoon that these plans were going ahead as scheduled meaning a return of crowds to sports venues across the nation will soon commence.
Every Premier League team will now play one home match in front of their supporters before the end of the season, with games scheduled to take place on May 18-19 and Sunday, May 23.
From May 17, outdoor sports venues around the country are allowed up to 10,000 spectators in attendance, or 25% capacity - whichever figure is lower.
West Ham travel to the Hawthorns to take on West Brom on Wednesday, May 19 and around 6,500 Baggies fans will be allowed to attend the clash at the 26,688 seater stadium.
The Hammers host Southampton on the final day of the season, Sunday, May 23 and 10,000 lucky West Ham fans will be in attendance at the London Stadium.
"I can confirm today we have met the four tests for further easing lockdown restrictions," Johnson said to the nation in his 5pm announcement.
"We’ll unlock the turnstiles to our sports stadia, subject to capacity limits."
Despite the Prime Minister’s announcement, away fans will not be permitted in the final two rounds of fixtures amid the continued lifting of restrictions.
The majority of football season in the UK has been played in front of empty stadiums due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
But the continued vaccine rollout has seen numbers dramatically drop around the country, meaning the Government are prepared to ease some of their strict restrictions. Fortunately for football fans, this includes having supporters back in stadiums.
Some pilot events, including last month’s Carabao Cup final between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City, have already taken place - with both clubs having 2,000 fans inside Wembley that day.
