The London Stadium has been included in a Euro’s bid and anchor tenants West Ham United could own it outright by then.
As the dust settles on what was – on the pitch at least – an enthralling World Cup, international focus will soon switch to the next Euros in 18 months’ time.
That is being held in Germany and four years later the UK and Ireland are hoping to bring football home with a bid to host the 2028 Euro’s with West Ham potentially playing a big role.
Because the London Stadium has been included in the Euro’s bid and West Ham could own it outright by then.
The list of stadia put forward by the FA to UEFA lists West Ham’s home, the London Stadium, as one of 14 venues for the tournament.
Villa Park, Everton’s revamped stadium, West Ham’s London Stadium, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Wembley, City of Manchester Stadium, St James’ Park, the Stadium of Light, Old Trafford, Dublin Arena, Croke Park, Casement Park Stadium, Hampden Park and the National Stadium of Wales are the grounds put forward by the FA as part of the bid.
The FA say West Ham and other hosts will be consulted next year before a final list of 10 is submitted to UEFA.
“Consultations with cities and stadia will continue into next year with a final list of 10 stadia to be submitted to UEFA in April 2023,” the FA state.
“We now look forward to engaging with UEFA and listening and learning from the European football family to develop our bid plans further.”
By 2028 West Ham could well own the former Olympic Stadium outright.
This week a BBC journalist delivered a major update on West Ham’s London Stadium plans and said all parties could be open to a buyout of the ground.
“West Ham remain open to the idea of buying London Stadium should UK Athletics and landlords LLDC reach an agreement over a get-out deal,” Simon Stone reported earlier this week.
As fans know only too well, the LLDC owns the stadium and West Ham are merely the anchor tenants.
That means David Sullivan, David Gold, Daniel Kretinsky and Karren Brady currently have little say over certain key elements at their home ground.
Take for example the latest installation at the arena, the wall between the home and away supporters. It was put in by LLDC, killing any semblance of atmosphere that was generated in the ground.
There is genuine hope the Hammers could own the stadium themselves by the time the Euro’s – if the home nations bid is successful – come around.
One thing West Ham will be made aware of by the FA and UEFA is that if they get a naming rights partner for the stadium between now and then, the new name cannot be used for the tournament.
Because UEFA insists on what it calls “clean” stadiums for its tournaments hence the likes of the Etihad being referred to as the City of Manchester Stadium in the bid.
MORE WEST HAM NEWS
‘Never can tell’ Moyes softens January transfer stance in new interview.
Arsenal boss gives Moyes flowers again in new Carragher interview.
Premier League confirm West Ham decision is one of big six this season.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
