West Ham United is one of the best-known football clubs in London. The club has strong links with East London and a loyal fan base across the UK and around the world.
Today, West Ham United plays its home matches at London Stadium in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford. This makes the club an important part of the local Stratford community.
For local fans, matchday is about more than football. It is also about wearing club colours, carrying flags, meeting friends and showing support for the team. At Printing Stratford, we understand this local football culture. We provide football shirt printing, custom football kits, flags, banners, signs, posters, stickers and many other printing services for supporters, teams, schools and businesses.
This guide covers the history of West Ham United, its stadium, ownership, sponsors, manager, training grounds and other common questions about the club.
A short history of West Ham United
West Ham United began as Thames Ironworks Football Club in 1895. The team was formed by workers from the Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Company in East London.
The club was renamed West Ham United in 1900. Its history is closely linked with the working people of East London. This is one reason the club is often connected with strong community values.
West Ham played at the Boleyn Ground, also known as Upton Park, for more than 100 years. The stadium became an important part of local life. Generations of supporters attended matches there.
In 2016, West Ham moved to London Stadium in Stratford. The stadium was originally built for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. It is located in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and has become one of London’s main sports and entertainment venues.
West Ham supporters are often called the Claret and Blue Army. The club is also known as the Hammers. These names come from the club’s colours and its links with Thames Ironworks.
When Was West Ham United founded?
West Ham United traces its history back to 1895, when Thames Ironworks Football Club was formed.
The club became West Ham United Football Club in 1900. For this reason, some records may mention both 1895 and 1900. However, the club normally uses 1895 as its foundation year.
The crossed hammers on the club badge reflect its industrial history. They represent the tools used by workers at Thames Ironworks.
West Ham United and Stratford
West Ham United’s move to Stratford created a new chapter in the club’s history.
London Stadium is located at:
London Stadium
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
Stratford
London
E20 2ST
The stadium is close to Westfield Stratford City, Stratford station, Stratford International station and the main areas of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
On matchdays, thousands of supporters travel through Stratford. Local restaurants, shops, cafés, printers and other businesses often become part of the matchday experience.
As a printing company based in Stratford, Printing Stratford is proud to serve people in the same area as West Ham United’s home stadium.
How to Get to West Ham United?
The easiest way to travel to West Ham United is usually by public transport.
Stratford station is served by the Central line, Jubilee line, Elizabeth line, Docklands Light Railway, London Overground and National Rail services. Stratford International also provides rail and Docklands Light Railway connections.
London Stadium is around a 10 to 15-minute walk from Stratford station, depending on the route, crowd levels and entrance being used.
Supporters can follow signs through Westfield Stratford City or Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. On matchdays, stewards and temporary signs normally help direct visitors.
Several bus routes also serve Stratford and the surrounding area. Roads and parking spaces may be busy on matchdays, so visitors should check current travel information before leaving home.
Who Owns West Ham United?
West Ham United is privately owned by several shareholders.
The club’s official ownership page lists the following shareholdings:
David Sullivan owns 38.8%.
1890s Holdings a.s., whose ultimate owner is Daniel Křetínský, owns 27%.
Vanessa Gold, on behalf of the Family Trust, owns 25.1%.
WHU LLC, whose ultimate owner is J. Albert Smith, owns 8%.
Other investors own the remaining 1.1%.
This means there is not one single person who owns the whole club. David Sullivan is the largest individual shareholder on the club’s currently published ownership list.
Ownership percentages can change when shares are sold or transferred. Supporters should check the official club ownership page for the latest confirmed figures.
Can I Buy Shares in West Ham United?
West Ham United is not a publicly traded company on a stock exchange. This means supporters cannot normally buy West Ham United shares through a standard investment app or stockbroker.
A person could only buy shares if an existing shareholder agreed to sell them or if the club issued new shares. These deals would usually be private and may involve large sums of money, legal checks and approval from football authorities.
Buying a match ticket, season ticket, membership or club bond does not normally give the buyer an ownership share in West Ham United.
West Ham has previously offered supporter bonds linked to the right to buy tickets for designated seats. However, a bond is not the same as owning part of the football club.
Is West Ham United for Sale?
There is no simple public shop price for West Ham United.
Football clubs can receive offers for full or partial ownership without being officially advertised for sale. Individual shareholders can also discuss selling their own stakes.
There have been reports about possible investment, share sales and takeover interest. However, reports of discussions do not always lead to a completed sale.
The safest answer is that West Ham United has not announced that the whole club is openly for sale. A shareholder may still choose to sell some or all of their shares. Any major completed ownership change should be confirmed by the club and the relevant football authorities.
How Much is West Ham United Worth?
There is no fixed daily market price for West Ham United because the club is privately owned.
Forbes valued West Ham United at about $1.125 billion, which it converted to around £882 million, in its May 2025 valuation. Forbes also estimated club revenue at about £277 million for the period covered by its report.
This is an estimated business value, not a confirmed sale price.
The amount a buyer might pay could be affected by many factors. These include league position, broadcasting income, player values, debts, sponsorship deals, commercial income and future plans.
A full takeover price could therefore be higher or lower than a published estimate.
Who Sponsors West Ham United 2026?
For the 2025/26 season, West Ham United’s main front-of-shirt sponsor was BoyleSports. Umbro was the club’s kit manufacturer, and QuickBooks appeared as a sleeve partner.
BoyleSports was also reported to be continuing as the club’s front-of-shirt partner for the following season.
Football clubs normally have several sponsors rather than only one. These can include a main shirt sponsor, sleeve sponsor, kit supplier and other official commercial partners.
Sponsorship agreements can change between seasons. Fans buying or printing football shirts should check which season’s design they want before adding names, numbers or other details.
Who Is The Current Manager of West Ham United?
As of July 2026, the current West Ham United head coach is Nuno Espírito Santo.
The club referred to Nuno Espírito Santo as the first-team head coach in its June 2026 information about a training-ground experience at Rush Green.
Football managers can change during or between seasons. Any future update should be checked through West Ham United’s official website.
where do West Ham United train
West Ham United’s men’s first team trains at the Rush Green training ground in East London.
The club also has strong links with Chadwell Heath. Chadwell Heath has played an important role in West Ham’s Academy of Football and the development of young players.
Different teams and age groups may use Rush Green or Chadwell Heath. The club’s first-team training base is generally described as Rush Green, while Chadwell Heath remains an important part of the club’s football history and academy system.
How Much Is a Box at West Ham United?
The cost of a private box at West Ham United depends on the match, package, number of guests and included services.
Private boxes may include match seats, food, drinks, match programmes, private hosting space and other benefits. Prices can be higher for major matches and high-demand fixtures.
West Ham’s Club London hospitality service advertises private boxes and other matchday experiences, but some packages are listed by enquiry rather than with one fixed public price.
Anyone interested in booking a box should contact the official hospitality team and request a price for the required fixture. It is important to ask whether VAT, food, drinks and parking are included.
Famous West Ham players and the Academy of Football
West Ham is known as the Academy of Football because of its history of producing talented players.
Famous players linked with the club include Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst, Martin Peters, Trevor Brooking, Billy Bonds and Mark Noble.
Bobby Moore captained England when the country won the 1966 FIFA World Cup. Geoff Hurst scored three goals in the final, while Martin Peters scored the other England goal.
This connection with the 1966 World Cup remains an important part of West Ham’s identity.
The club has continued to develop young players through its academy. For many supporters, this focus on local and young talent is a major part of what West Ham represents.
West Ham United colours and football shirts
West Ham United is famous for its claret and blue colours.
The home shirt normally uses a claret body with light blue details. However, designs change from season to season. Away and third kits may use white, black, blue or other colours.
Many fans personalise their shirts with a player’s name and squad number. Others add their own surname, nickname or a family member’s name.
Before printing on a football shirt, it is important to check the material, number style, name style and printing position. Heat settings must be suitable for the fabric to avoid damage.
A local club in Stratford we support West Ham United
As a local Stratford printing company, we are pleased to support the football community around West Ham United.
Printing Stratford can help supporters, local football teams, schools, businesses and fan groups with a wide range of custom printing needs.
We can print names and numbers on football shirts. This can include a favourite player’s name, a personal name, a nickname or a team squad number.
We can also help with custom football kits for local teams. A custom kit can include player names, numbers, team names and sponsor logos, subject to permission to use any protected badge, logo or design.
Our football-related printing services can include:
Football shirt name and number printing.
Custom football kits.
Team training tops.
Personalised sportswear.
Supporter flags.
Matchday signs.
Stickers and labels.
Business sponsor boards.
Event programmes.
Team presentation certificates.
Printed invitations for football parties.
Personalised gifts for football fans.
We can print flags for fan groups, parties, community events and private spaces. Customers who want to use the official West Ham United crest or another protected club design should make sure they have the right permission. We can also create original claret and blue designs that do not copy protected club artwork.
Local teams can use our printing service for full kit personalisation. We can add each player’s name and number and print approved sponsor details on the front, back or sleeve.
Businesses can also order football-themed promotional items for matchday events. This may include window posters, menus, banners, signs and branded clothing.
Being based in Stratford means we understand the local area and its connection with West Ham United. Whether you need one personalised football shirt or printing for a full local team, Printing Stratford is ready to help.
Why personalised football printing is popular?
A personalised shirt feels more individual than a standard shirt.
Parents may add a child’s name and age to a football top. Amateur teams may need matching shirts with squad numbers. Businesses may sponsor local teams and add their logos to approved kit areas.
Supporters may also want printed shirts for birthdays, football trips, group events or matchday celebrations.
Good football shirt printing should be clear, centred and suitable for the shirt material. The correct temperature, pressure and application time are important.
At Printing Stratford, customers can discuss their design, shirt type, quantity and deadline before printing begins.
Final thoughts
West Ham United has a long history in East London. It began through Thames Ironworks, spent many years at the Boleyn Ground and now plays at London Stadium in Stratford.
The club remains closely connected with its supporters, its colours and the local community.
For people in Stratford, West Ham is more than a football club. It is part of the area’s identity and matchday life.
Printing Stratford is proud to be based near the club’s home. We provide football shirt printing, custom football kits, flags, banners, posters, signs and other personalised printing services.
Whether you are supporting West Ham, running a local football team or planning a football event, we can help bring your printing idea to life.