West Ham have reached an agreement for the London Stadium to be included as part of the city’s bid to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships.
The Hammers said that any disruption to 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 decision comes after complex negotiations, with West Ham originally unwilling to vacate the London Stadium for around three weeks in September while the event takes place.
West Ham’s stance led to jibes from British sprinter Dina Asher-Smith and reigning Olympic 800m champion Keely Hodgkinson, who joked that Great Britain would win more medals at the London Stadium than the Hammers have "in their entire history" if London were to host the World Athletics Championships.
If the UK government-backed bid for London to host the World Athletics Championships is successful, then West Ham are likely to face significant disruption to their fixture schedule.
The club said further discussions will take place with the relevant football governing bodies to review and mitigate against any potential impact on games.
In a statement released on Thursday afternoon, West Ham said they had come to an agreement with London Stadium LLP and Athletics Ventures.
“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 statement read.
“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.
“Throughout the process, the Club’s highest priority has always been the West Ham United supporters, ensuring any agreed programme has minimal impact on the football schedule and respects the Club’s overriding priority principle as detailed in the concession agreement.
“As part of the new agreement, the Club and London Stadium will work together to deliver a number of new initiatives that will enhance the stadium and matchday experience for supporters. That process will now begin, with further updates provided to supporters in due course.
“Any impact on the football schedule will be confirmed once it is known which division and other competitions West Ham United will be competing in during the 2029/30 season.
“Further discussions with the relevant football governing bodies can then take place to review and mitigate against any potential impact on the fixture schedule.”
