West Ham vs Olympiacos

Matchday 14 brought us to The London Stadium, a venue with a unique history, initially constructed for the 2012 Summer Olympics and Paralympics. Now serving as the home of Premier League club West Ham United, it offered a distinctive experience. Anticipating potential travel challenges, I chose to stay overnight in a hotel, making it a two-day adventure with my son, Liam.

We embarked on a journey involving multiple train connections, starting from our local station to Birmingham, then to Reading, followed by London Paddington, and finally reaching our destination at Stratford. While this multi-leg commute relied on the reliability of trains, the journey went smoothly. The anticipation built as we approached the London Stadium, situated just a 10-minute walk from Stratford train station.

Upon arrival, we encountered a merchandise stall selling scarves, with the matchday scarf priced at a hefty £20.00. Signage proving elusive, I sought guidance from two Matchday officials, eventually marvelling at the stadium’s illuminated skyline. The Arcelor Mittal Orbit structure, glowing in red and white, stood tall against the night sky, creating a captivating backdrop.

Arriving over two hours early, we initially sought a local pub to catch the Liverpool vs. Toulouse match. However, the limited options requiring prepaid tickets led us back to the stadium. Despite the thorough security checks, rucksacks were allowed, a significant contrast to previous experiences. We explored the exterior of the stadium, taking in the impressive view of the Arcelor Mittal Orbit.

Once inside, the stadium’s layout, reminiscent of Bristol City’s design, allowed us to circulate freely. This feature, coupled with the abundance of legroom, was ideal for socializing with friends or family, even if not seated together. The seats offered an incredible pitchside view, though surprisingly distant from the pitch. After exploring and capturing the moment with photos and Liam’s VLOG, we ventured to the bar areas for refreshments, where a pie and a pint cost £10.85 and a bottle of water for £2.90. We enjoyed the last 30 minutes of the Liverpool game and took advantage of a discounted pint offer.

Returning to our seats, we soaked in the pre-match atmosphere, highlighted by fire displays and fireworks synchronized with music. However, the expected European night ambience was notably absent during the actual game. Olympiacos fans maintained lively chants, while West Ham’s crowd contributions were more subdued. The VAR intervention in the only goal of the match provided a moment of excitement. On the 85th minute, observing a significant exodus of fans, we decided to leave, wary of limited trains back to Reading.

Exiting the stadium, we joined a massive crowd heading to the train station. The station’s atmosphere was shoulder to shoulder, but the crowds dispersed efficiently once inside. Our train journey back to Reading was uneventful, albeit slightly crowded. A slight delay at Reading due to a door locking system fault was swiftly resolved, allowing us to return to our hotel, just a 10-minute walk away. The following morning, fueled by a full English breakfast, we hopped on a CrossCountry train for the journey home, expressing gratitude to the onboard staff for their assistance throughout our journey.