London Mayor open to West Ham bid for London Stadium

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has stated he would consider ‘any credible proposal’ from West Ham United to purchase the London Stadium. The move follows calls from Labour Assembly member Bassam Mahfouz to sell the venue to the football club to mitigate annual taxpayer losses.

London Stadium LLP, owned by the Greater London Authority, reported losing approximately £19 million annually. Under the current 99-year contract, West Ham pays rent but does not contribute to costs such as policing, stewarding, or pitch maintenance. Mahfouz described the existing arrangement as ‘disastrous’ for taxpayers and noted that the current contract creates barriers to hosting more revenue-generating events like concerts.

Mayor Khan noted that the city has had to manage a ‘challenging contractual position inherited from the previous Mayor.’ He emphasized that any potential sale must offer value for taxpayers, protect the public interest, and preserve the venue's economic and sporting benefits. The discussion comes amid shifts in West Ham's ownership, with Daniel Kretinsky expected to increase his stake in the club.