London Stadium

London Stadium stands in the Lower Lea Valley, six miles east of central London within Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The multi-purpose outdoor stadium occupies a site once marked by industrial decline, now transformed into a green public space. It was built for the 2012 Summer Olympics and Paralympics, hosting athletics and the opening and closing ceremonies. After the Games, the stadium was remodelled to seat 66,000 while keeping space for football and athletics events. West Ham United moved in as the main tenant in 2016, and UK Athletics hosts the London Grand Prix each year. The stadium’s post-Games future was decided after two bidding rounds because the first process was delayed by legal challenges over state aid. A special-purpose company, E20 Stadium LLP, was set up by the London Legacy Development Corporation and Newham Council to manage the venue long term. French company Vinci SA won the contract to run the stadium for 25 years, forming London Stadium 185—named for the 185 medals won by British athletes in 2012. Ownership later passed to GLA Holdings Ltd in 2025 to simplify management. Visitors find a large bowl-shaped stadium surrounded by landscaped parkland. Inside, the seating tiers slope gently towards the pitch used by West Ham United and athletics tracks. The stadium retains its athletics configuration for Diamond League meetings. Outside, paths lead through Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, past waterways and new housing. The area offers views back towards Stratford and Canary Wharf.