A better Olympic Stadium deal

Londoners taxpayers are continuing to pay £19 million a year for the Olympic Stadium for, due to an onerous Boris Johnson signed when he was Mayor. Bassam Mahfouz AM is campaigning for a full assessment of the stadium’s long-term ownership options, including a potential sale, to determine whether a different approach could deliver better value for taxpayers while protecting its athletics and Olympic legacy.

Why we’re campaigning 

The current arrangements for the London Stadium costs taxpayers £19m a year. Before relegation, West Ham paid £4.6 million in annual rent, but following the club’s relegation, this has fallen to around £1.9 million. The agreement is tied to a 99-year lease.   

Bassam Mahfouz AM believes Londoners should not be left carrying these costs indefinitely. While the stadium remains one of the most important legacies of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, he argues that its long-term future should be assessed to determine whether another ownership model could provide better value for taxpayers.    

The campaign is not about abandoning athletics or the public interest. Any future option would need to protect the stadium’s role as a major athletics venue and preserve its Olympic legacy.  

What we’re calling for 

We want a full and objective assessment of the stadium’s long-term future and whether it is delivering the best outcome for Londoners.  

• The Mayor should carry out a full assessment of the London Stadium’s long-term ownership options, including the potential sale of the venue 

• Any assessment should consider the financial impact on London taxpayers and whether alternative arrangements could reduce ongoing public subsidy 

• Any future ownership agreement should include clear, binding protections for athletics and the stadium’s Olympic legacy 

• The stadium should remain capable of hosting major athletics events, including competitions such as the 2029 World Athletics Championships 

What we’ve done 

Bassam Mahfouz AM has written to Sadiq Khan urging him to carry out a full assessment of the London Stadium’s long-term ownership options, including the possibility of a sale.  

Before writing to the Mayor, Bassam spoke with West Ham supporters and carried out an informal poll to understand public views on the stadium’s future. He said many fans supported exploring a sale if it reduced the burden on taxpayers and gave the club greater control over the venue.

He has also highlighted concerns about the long-term cost of the current arrangements and has argued that Londoners deserve a better deal than the one created under the existing contract.  

Take action

The future of the London Stadium should work for both taxpayers and sport. If you support a full assessment of the stadium’s long-term ownership options, add your support to the campaign.