The future of the London Stadium
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:
- Howard Dawber 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.
Media and members of the public are invited to attend.
The meeting can also be viewed LIVE or later via webcast or YouTube.
Follow us @LondonAssembly.
Notes to 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.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
- Bassam Mahfouz AM, Chair the Economy, Culture and Skills Committee, is available for interview.
- Find out more about the work of the Economy, Culture and Skills Committee
For media enquiries, please contact Tony Smyth on 07763 251 727 or at [email protected]. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer.