West Ham get planning permission which will make stadium second largest in Prem

West Ham United have received planning permission to increase the capacity of the London Stadium and make it the second largest ground in the Premier League.

The club announced in an official statement on Wednesday that they had been granted permission to increase the matchday capacity of the venue to 62,500 from its current maximum of 60,000.

This will take the London Stadium from the fourth largest in the league up to second, leapfrogging the home grounds of London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.

Their stadiums, the Emirates Stadium and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, currently have capacities of 60,260 and 62,062, respectively.

In a club statement, West Ham said: "West Ham United is delighted to confirm that planning permission has been granted to increase the matchday capacity at London Stadium to 62,500.

"With an extra 2,500 seats to be released once the safety certificate application has been completed, West Ham United will be able to once again look forward to breaking the Club’s attendance record and welcoming more of our loyal supporters to Hammers matches."

The club also explained how the expansion will allow them to meet growing demands for tickets with capacity crowds in the league and their Europa League matches also drawing large attendances.

The Hammers have won all three of their opening matches in Europe, two of which were in front of their own fans.

Will West Ham United continue to fill the London Stadium after it is expanded? Let us know in the comments section below.

Their Carabao Cup round of 16 clash with Manchester City on Wednesday night is also a sell-out and the club are hoping to soon reach the stadium's full capacity.

The London Stadium's full capacity is just under 67,000 after the club completed work on the Bobby Moore and Sir Trevor Brooking stands.

Commenting on the news, vice-chairman Karren Brady said: "The application to increase the matchday capacity will give an even greater number of our fans the opportunity to watch our exciting team in action in person.

"Since the regular return of supporters this year, we have seen a terrific response with every Premier League fixture so far this season sold out, and we thank them for their continued fantastic backing including breaking attendance records as part of regular capacity crowds at London Stadium.

"This is another great sign of progression during a hugely-positive time for the Club."

Manager David Moyes also added: "Everyone here is doing everything we can to grow and develop this football club, on and off the pitch, for the benefit of our supporters, and we all feel that things are moving in the right direction.

"The supporters being back has been fantastic and the atmosphere they have created, with 60,000 in the stadium, has been right up there every game.

"Having more fans in here cheering the team on will make it even better for us all and we are really looking forward to welcoming more of our young supporters and families to London Stadium."

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