The Lowdown: West Ham United v Manchester City

London Stadium will host its first Emirates FA Cup clash on Friday night, with West Ham United facing Manchester City under the floodlights, live on BBC One.

After the controversy-laded visit of Manchester United to London Stadium on Monday, West Ham will look to return to winning ways after a run of good results in the run up to the New Year. Manchester City are now seven points behind Premier League leaders Chelsea, and may now see the FA Cup as their most likely source of silverware this term.

Joining us for the match? The Lowdown will provide you all you need to know to make the most of your trip to London Stadium...

 

Hours of play:

Kickoff between West Ham United and Manchester City is scheduled for 19:55, with London Stadium opening the turnstiles for supporters 90 minutes ahead of the match, at 18:25.

Supporters can take advantage of early access drinks discounts inside London Stadium, available for those entering the ground before 18:55.

Hospitality guests for the fixture can enjoy entry to London Stadium one hour earlier, from 17:25.

 

Pre-Match Press:

West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic, after enduring a frustrating Monday night at London Stadium, expressed his desire to win silverware this season, but emphasised the difficulty of the third round draw.

“The Premier League is the priority, but we are also dreaming about trophies,” he said.

“It is definitely more likely we are closer to a trophy in the cups than the league, like most of the clubs. It is a big ambition for us. We have a very difficult draw.

“We had tough ones in the EFL Cup with Chelsea and Manchester United. Manchester City will approach this cup very seriously but we are positive because our form is good now.”

Bilic also hinted toward selecting a strong side for the friday night contest, and will welcome back Sofiane Feghouli, after the midfielder’s red card was rescinded on appeal.

“There was more rotation with the game with United because we had two games in three games, now there is a gap.

“I am not saying there won’t be changes, but from Monday to Friday there is a normal gap and we then have a game next Saturday against Palace.

“Considering we are playing in the FA Cup, where we have big ambitions, we play at home against Manchester City, a big club, so we play a very strong side.”

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola will take charge of his first FA Cup fixture this Friday, the Spaniard drew on the memories of cup competitions around Europe in his pre-match press conference.

“We play West Ham away… they are a Premier League team, we are away, it’s tough. I want to continue in this competition,” he said.

“In the Bundesliga, the cup tradition is special. What I hear here is that the Cup is special because the low teams can beat the big teams - that’s why it’s fascinating.

“I’m looking forward to it. We were unlucky in the draw.”

 

Travelling to London Stadium:

London Stadium is located within Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, and benefits from the capital’s finest transport links.

We’re proud to call Stratford our home with unsurpassed transport links from Stratford, Stratford International, Pudding Mill Lane and Hackney Wick stations. 

Expect to be welcomed on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park by our friendly stewarding & volunteering teams, who will aid you in making your way to London Stadium.

Due to gas main repairs on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the walking route to London Stadium from Stratford Station via the bridge between the South Lawn and Pool Street will not be available for this fixture against Hull City.

Spectators are advised to follow the alternative routes highlighted in green on the map below, which will also be in place on exit from London Stadium after the game. There will be diversion signage on route and extra stewards in the area to direct the flow of supporters.

Please follow directions on the attached map to better plan your route to the stadium on foot

Please follow directions on the attached map to better plan your route to the stadium by car

Please note that this will add approximately ten minutes to your journey, so please plan your route accordingly to ensure you avoid further delays.

The West Ham United Shuttle Bus Service will be in operation for disabled guests as normal.

For more information relevant to your mode of travel, follow this link for specific instructions relating to train & tube, bus, bike, car & motorcycle, taxi & plane

Away fans travelling by supporters' coaches, to reach London Stadium after being dropped in the coach parking, turn right just before Pudding Mill Lane DLR station, before turning left under the railway bridge and walking north, under the greenway toward the away seating at the Stadium.

Members of our stewarding team will be on-hand to direct you toward the Stadium.

 

Ticket Collections

Home fans can collect tickets from the West Ham United ticket office, located on stadium island, while away tickets can be collected from the Northern Ticket Office.

 

Leaving London Stadium

Fans visiting London Stadium should be made aware of major gasworks taking place on Pool Street at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, closing Bridge Five south of the London Aquatics Centre & ArcelorMittal Orbit on the approach to the stadium.

Revised walking routes for spectators will be signposted, with the following recommended paths in place for the conclusion of the match:

On exiting London Stadium, fans are recommended to make their way left past the ArcelorMittal Orbit before joining Stratford Walk, or making their away across South Park Lawn to the loop road south of Stadium Island. These routes will cater for fans travelling from both Stratford and Stratford International stations.

Please follow directions on the attached map to better plan your route from the stadium on foot

Please follow directions on the attached map to better plan your route from the stadium by car

Please note that this will add approximately ten minutes to your journey, and please plan your route accordingly to ensure you avoid further delays.

Our stewarding team will be on hand to direct fans to the quickest possible exit route.

Find out more about exiting London Stadium here…

 

Supporter Services

Baby Changing Facilities

Baby changing facilities are available on each level of London Stadium. On an event day, simply ask one of our friendly stewarding team for the closest baby change location to your seat.

 

Lost & Found

Please report all lost or found property to the nearest member of staff at London Stadium. If you are no longer at the venue, please email our customer services team at customerservice@londonstadium.com.

Any found items will be kept for two weeks, before being discarded.

London Stadium is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

 

 

Accessible Information

For information regarding accessible travel to London Stadium, find out more here.

Accessible seating is available on each level at London Stadium, including: aisle seats, seats with few or no steps nearby, seating which have nothing directly in front of them, and those closest to toilet facilities.

Numerous rest areas and benches are located across Stadium Island and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. 

Members of staff from West Ham United’s accessibility teams will be on hand and proactive at London Stadium, as well as providing support on key routes in and out of the venue.

Kindly note that if you have your own wheelchair, it will be left in designated areas at the owner’s risk.

Five windows at the West Ham United ticket office are at accessible height for wheelchair users, and use induction loops to support visitors using hearing aids.

Assistance dogs are welcome into London Stadium, and can stay in wheelchair bays. Kindly note that any assistance dogs must remain with their owner at all times.