![\"Football](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2277958106-e1784879802546.jpg\")
\t\tLondon Stadium deal between West Ham and City Hall costs taxpayers \u00a319m a year\t<\/p>\n\t\t\tFriday 24 July 2026 9:02 am
\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0|\u00a0\u00a0Updated:\u00a0<\/p>\n
\t\t\tFriday 24 July 2026 9:04 am\n\t<\/p>\n
\t\tLondon Stadium deal between West Ham and City Hall costs taxpayers \u00a319m a year\t<\/p>\n
The London Stadium deal between West Ham United and City Hall costs taxpayers \u00a319m a year, the stadium company\u2019s chair has revealed.<\/p>\n
A deal signed in 2013 between then Mayor of London Boris Johnson and bigwigs at the Hammers sees the former Premier League side pay \u00a34.6m in rent per year, dropping this season due to their relegation to the second tier<\/a>.<\/p>\n And the 99-year lease deal, co-signed by former West Ham chief Baroness Karren Brady, has no break clause on the side of the Greater London Authority.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are going to finalise the accounts at around a \u00a319m operating loss,\u201d Lyn Garner, chair of the London Stadium LLP, told the London Assembly Economy Culture and Skills Committee this week, according to MyLondon<\/a>. \u201cThis is not unusual. It\u2019s been in this ballpark for some time.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have a few peaks and troughs, depending on how many summer events we have. 2025-26 was a particularly bad year for London Stadium, with only two summer concerts. This year is a bit better. With this summer, we\u2019ve just hosted six events, five concerts and Soccer Aid.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s helping with the finances. But, of course, it\u2019s one step forward and two steps back because of the relegation reduction. So, we\u2019re still in the same ballpark of about \u00a319m.\u201d<\/p>\n West Ham in epic deal<\/p>\n West Ham have undergone a major overhaul in recent months with the resignations of Brady and joint-chair David Sullivan. Sullivan stepped down \u201cfollowing impending historic personal allegations\u201d. West Ham\u2019s arena hosted Take That and Metallica this summer.<\/p>\n Garner added: \u201cWe have managed to drive efficiencies over several years. Commercial deals are much better than ever they were for the commercial rights that we own.<\/p>\n \u201cHowever, of course, we remain responsible for all the overheads, all of the repair and maintenance for a huge national venue.\u201d<\/p>\n The London Stadium could recoup some cash by hosting the 10-day World Athletics Championships in 2029. But, despite government backing, there is some reluctance from the football club over how long the pitch would be out of action.<\/p>\n Garner concluded: \u201cThe relationship with the football club historically has been quite tense,\u201d she told Assembly Members. \u201cWe\u2019ve disagreed on interpretations around the contractual piece. And I don\u2019t think that\u2019s any surprise when the taxpayer is under such a huge pressure.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d like to see the whole thing set aside and to start again, but I can\u2019t see that happening.\u201d<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tRead more<\/p>\n