West Ham’s training ground: Where it is, what it’s called and the history of the Hammers’ HQ
West Ham’s facilities have undergone plenty of changes over the last ten years.
In 2016, the Hammers moved from Upton Park to the London Stadium, which was initially the venue for the 2012 Olympics.
Karren Brady was at the heart of the switch to the London Stadium and the new ground has come under plenty of criticism for its lack of atmosphere.
Following the defeat to Tottenham, West Ham fans were seen leaving the London Stadium in heaps, and the venue isn’t the only building that needs improvement.
Where is West Ham’s Rush Green training ground?
The Hammers currently train at Rush Green, which has undergone some developments over the summer.
West Ham spent £5million on improving their headquarters, with work on a new building.
Work has been made on the ground to allow the Under-21s to also train there, with plans for the women’s team to train at Rush Green scrapped in December 2023.
West Ham have also considered moving out of their current training ground, which is based in Romford, to improve conditions.
- Read more: Richard Keys: ‘Only a matter of time’ before Nuno exit at West Ham after what David Sullivan’s done
The history of Rush Green
Rush Green was originally built in the 1950s as the training facility for Briggs Sports, which later became Ford United, before the Hammers took it over.
Ford United was owned by the car company, with the ground used by sports teams sponsored by them.
A record crowd of 10,000 watched a match between Briggs Sports and Bishop Auckland at Rush Green Arena in 1957.
The land was bought for £1.4million, and refurbishing took six years before Sullivan could move his side in.
West Ham officially moved their first team to Rush Green in 2016, after previously using Chadwell Heath as their main training base.
- The women’s team still occupies Chadwell Heath
- Redbridge FC and Romford FC both had short spells playing at Rush Green before it was sold to the Hammers in 2009
The Hammers’ below-par facilities have come under fire from supporters, with West Ham’s hierarchy taking the cheap route for their changes.
In 2018, former boss Manuel Pellegrini was left unimpressed by the state of Rush Green, as he wanted more privacy for the players.
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