West Ham United’s potential relegation could end up costing London taxpayers around £2.5 million a year, due to the financial structure of their London Stadium deal.
The issue comes from the agreement between the club and the Greater London Authority (GLA), which sees West Ham pay rent for the stadium. If the club drops to the Championship, that rent would be halved, while the stadium’s running costs would remain the same meaning the shortfall would be covered by public funds.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has warned that this gap could leave City Hall facing the extra cost, arguing that the controversial deal struck after the 2012 Olympics is “unfavourable” to taxpayers.
In simple terms, relegation wouldn’t just affect West Ham’s football finances—it could also create a multi-million-pound burden on London’s public budget each year.
