Why Londoners should want West Ham to stay up ahead of Spurs

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FT Desk

Obviously, Tottenham fans want Tottenham to stay up and West Ham fans want West Ham to stay up.

You'll no doubt have many Arsenal fans who want Tottenham to go down, as well.

But, what about the average Londoner without skin in the game? Well, they should be cheering on the Hammers to avoid relegation this season, according to Mayor Sadiq Khan, who says the city and taxpayers will lose £2.5 million a year if they go down.

"If West Ham are relegated, taxpayers could lose up to £2.5m a year."

– Mayor of London Sadiq Khan pic.twitter.com/jd25UcEeg1

— Central (@WestHam_Central) May 12, 2026

"What I'd say to Londoners who don't support Spurs is you should probably be cheering on West Ham," he told the London Standard.

"The previous Mayor, Boris Johnson, did the worst deal that can be imaginable.

"As far as West Ham are concerned, as a deal of the century where he basically gave them rent free, this amazing stadium (the London Stadium) for 100 years.

"Now if West Ham are relegated, we, the taxpayers, we City Hall, could lose up to 2.5m a year.

“So what I say to Londoners who don't support Spurs is you should probably be cheering on West Ham, because the taxpayer will lose out if West Ham go down."

The Greater London Authority (GLA) covers the cost of running the London Stadium, and those costs would rise if West Ham were relegated to the Championship. Commercial income from the former Olympic stadium would likely fall, while the GLA would face higher stewarding costs because Championship seasons have 23 home games, compared with 19 in the Premier League.

Though West Ham's rent isn't free as Khan says, it is extremely low considering their yearly money gained from commercial income and broadcasting rights income.

Under the 99-year deal signed under Johnson, West Ham pays £4.4 million a year in rent, with the GLA responsible for stewarding and other stadium-related costs.