English Premier League club West Ham United has revealed further plans behind its vision to make London Stadium more football-focused, with safe standing part of the efforts.
In February, Arena Events Group was appointed to develop a new seating system at London Stadium as the club looks to bring fans closer to the pitch. West Ham announced in February 2019 that it would explore the possibility of moving the lower tiers of the Sir Trevor Brooking and Bobby Moore Stands, the south and north stands respectively, closer to the pitch in a bid to improve the atmosphere.
Some fans have complained that the layout of the stadium, which was originally built for the London 2012 Olympics, has an adverse effect on the match-day experience given the distance between the fans and the pitch.
West Ham has now said it will deliver two new lower tier stands behind the goals. The stands will be squared-off in line with a more traditional football stadium configuration, with the aim of moving the two stands closer to the pitch – with seats going forward by as much as four metres – and installing these this summer.
The design proposals take into account possible future developments and as a result, the stands are designed to be compatible for rail seating.
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Images: West Ham United