• VINCI will begin operating the Stadium this year ahead of Rugby World Cup 2015
• VINCI operate a network of venues including the Stade de France in Paris
• A 25 year partnership to deliver top class events to this world class Stadium

The Stadium is currently being transformed into a multi-use stadium. It will host five matches of Rugby World Cup 2015 before fully re-opening in 2016 when it will become the home of West Ham United and the national competition venue for UK Athletics.

VINCI Stadium, a subsidiary of VINCI Concessions, will be responsible for all aspects of running and managing the Stadium on day to day basis as well as bringing in new events and activity. They will work with the E20 Stadium Partnership (a joint venture between the London Legacy Development Corporation and Newham Council) to ensure the Stadium is ready to host West Ham United and UK Athletics in 2016, as well as Rugby World Cup 2015, and the IAAF 2017 World Athletics Championships and 2017 IPC Athletics World Championships.

Alongside managing the Stadium, VINCI Stadium will also manage the London Marathon Charitable Trust Community Track and events on the south park lawn, below the ArcelorMittal Orbit. They will work with the E20 Stadium Partnership to promote sport and healthy living in the local area and deliver mass participation events such as the Great Newham London Run.

VINCI Stadium currently operates a network of stadia in France including the Stade de France in Paris, the Allianz Riviera in Nice, the New Bordeaux Stadium and the MMArena in Le Mans. The contract to operate the former Olympic Stadium is for 25 years.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson said:
“This is more good news in our goal to deliver a long-lasting legacy from London’s Olympic and Paralympic Games. VINCI is a world-class operator and set to be a key partner in the creation of a spectacular stadium offering a dynamic range of sport and attractions for Londoners to enjoy.”

David Goldstone Chief Executive London Legacy Development Corporation said:
“This marks another step forward in the long-term future of the Stadium. VINCI have a great track record and a wealth of experience in managing world-class venues. We are looking forward to working with them and delivering a multi-use stadium capable of hosting a range of different sports and events, including this autumn’s Rugby World Cup.”

Mayor of Newham Sir Robin Wales said:
“We look forward to working with VINCI to ensure the Stadium is a world class visitor attraction that delivers job opportunities, community benefits and increased sports participation that transforms the lives of those living in London’s East End, but especially the residents of Newham.”

Pierre Coppey, Chief Operating Officer of VINCI said:
“The E20 Stadium LLP awarded the contract to run the former Olympic Stadium to VINCI Stadium in recognition of VINCI's expertise and the business model it has developed for the operation of multi-purpose arenas, including the Stade de France. In addition to broadening the range of events offered at this amazing venue, VINCI Stadium will work with the E20 Stadium Partnership to develop and revitalise East London for the benefit of citizens.”

West Ham United Vice-Chairman Karren Brady said:
“Managing the basic day-to-day operations at a Premier League football stadium is a unique challenge, so we will be passing on our extensive experience and expertise to Vinci to ensure they provide the same high levels of service our supporters have become accustomed to at the Boleyn Ground.
“While Vinci will manage the functional aspects of the matchday operation, we will still be overseeing the overall supporter experience to make sure watching West Ham remains one of the very best days out in the Premier League.”

Ed Warner, Chairman of UK Athletics and London 2017:
"The Olympic Stadium will be the new home of British Athletics, staging a wide range of events from mass participation runs to elite track and field meetings. We look forward to working closely with VINCI to deliver all of these events, and in particular the twin World Championships in the summer of 2017, in London's most iconic sporting venue."

The Stadium is owned by the E20 Stadium LLP, set up between the London Legacy Development Corporation and Newham Council, who have shared responsibility for the Stadium’s future as an all-round multi-use venue, delivering a lasting sporting, cultural and commercial legacy.

Stadium facts & figures

• A new floodlit 400m 6-lane (8 on the straights) community athletics track which is being funded by the London Marathon Charitable Trust will be built next to the main Stadium. This will be used by the local community, schools and will host a resident athletics club – the Newham & Essex Beagles. The facilities will also be used as a warm-up track for elite events being staged in the within the Stadium.
• The Stadium will meet UEFA Category 4 classification and will be a fully compliant IAAF Category 1 athletics facility.
• While building work is taking place the running track is protected by a 750mm deep mat of recycled concrete which is designed to support all the transformation activities.
• 5,500 tonnes of steel and 6km of cabling are being used in the transformation of the Stadium.
• 5,000 people will have worked 2 million hours once the Stadium transformation is complete. The peak workforce is expected to reach 500 workers on site with over 30 apprentices also being recruited from the local area.
• The Stadium’s 14 floodlight panels were removed in preparation for the new roof.
• Work on the installation of the new roof is well advanced.

The new Stadium will include:

• 21,000 retractable seats to allow closer pitch side football views while retaining an international class running track.
• 428 wheelchair user accessible viewing spaces and 529 easy access seats in athletics mode (these are also the maximum numbers for concert mode which is dependent on stage layouts).
• 253 wheelchair user accessible viewing spaces - more than double than available at West Ham’s Boleyn Ground - and 540 easy access seats in football mode.
• The Stadium was built in the shape of an ellipse with a long axis of 315m and a short axis of 256m, the perimeter is 860m.
• The new Stadium capacity is 54,000 seats in football mode, 60,000 in athletics and 80,000 for concerts.
• The new football pitch will be 105m x 68m which is equivalent to Wembley Stadium, the Emirates, the Etihad and Old Trafford.

Time-lapse of the Stadium works can be found at The Stadium