‘West Ham forced into U-turn by very unhappy fans’
West Ham are approaching their 10-year anniversary at the London Stadium but the club’s fans are yet to fully embrace their new home.
Claret & Hugh revealed last month that the Irons have lost almost 29,000 season ticket holders since moving to Stratford.
The east London side reconfigured the stadium following the 2012 Olympic Games to bring fans closer to the pitch but questions remain about a possible move to a purpose-built home.
West Ham have recently announced a freeze on season ticket prices for the 2025-26 campaign as well as a commitment to offer concessionary pricing in more areas of the London Stadium – despite raising prices last year and planning to cut concessions around the ground.
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – has had his say on the dramatic U-turn from West Ham chiefs.
West Ham back down in ticket price controversy
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted West Ham fans are already “very unhappy” and that fact has been recognised by club chiefs.
The Irons faithful have made public their displeasure at poor transport links and a lack of atmosphere at the London Stadium.
| Ranking | Stadium | Capacity |
| 1 | Old Trafford (Man United) | 74,197 |
| 2 | Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (Tottenham) | 62,850 |
| 3 | London Stadium (West Ham) | 62,500 |
| 4 | Anfield (Liverpool) | 61,276 |
| 5 | Emirates Stadium (Arsenal) | 60,704 |
| 6 | Etihad Stadium (Man City) | 52,900 |
Wyness insisted West Ham would have “alienated a lot of the fanbase” by increasing prices further.
He told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “There’s no doubt clubs are starting to listen to the fans.
“But each club has a unique situation depending on demand.
“I think West Ham have got a very unhappy fanbase, they’re not happy with the London Stadium. There’s already a dissatisfaction in there.
“When you add a price increase, you’re then alienating a lot of the fanbase.
“We all know they are very loyal, and I do feel they have been listened to.
“Although I do wonder if clubs say they’re going to put prices up just to look like the good guys when they freeze it.
“I’ve been there, and I always thought it should be a small, 1 or 2 per cent increase each year.
“Otherwise, you then have to come in with a 10-15% increase if you freeze it for years.
“It isn’t going to be an endless stream of cash into these clubs, and they know that. I think it’s actually time prices were cut, for loyalty.
“I think that’s something we’re going to see in the near future.”
West Ham have big PSR capacity
Despite freezing ticket prices, finance expert Stefan Borson has insisted West Ham still have a lot of capacity to spend under the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) – even after their £135million outlay last summer (2024).
Graham Potter has signed a contract running until June 2027 and will want to be backed if he is to deliver success at the London Stadium.
West Ham currently sit 15th in the Premier League table after the 2-0 win over Leicester last week (27 February).
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