West Ham United women’s team would like to inform supporters of upcoming changes to post-match fan engagement at Chigwell Construction Stadium for the 2025/26 season.
The Club will be launching a new ballot system to help manage and control the post-match signing process at home matches, starting from our Barclays Women's Super League clash against Aston Villa on Sunday 5 October.
This new process will create structured opportunities for supporters to meet players after every WSL fixture*, while prioritising player welfare and the efficiency of our matchday operations. Supporters attending our home fixture against Aston Villa can register for the ballot HERE.
The introduction of this system comes as the continued growth of the women’s game has been matched by a rise in the number of supporters wishing to meet players before and after matches. While this reflects the loyalty and passion of our fanbase, there were occasions last season that raised concerns around the safety and wellbeing of both supporters and players, particularly in busy post-match environments.
To ensure we provide a safe, fair and enjoyable experience for all, the Club will no longer be facilitating informal autograph and photograph sessions after home fixtures.
This will come into effect from our opening WSL home fixture against Arsenal on Friday 12 September, where players will show their appreciation to supporters, in line with the new process outlined above, before leaving the pitch after the game.
We are also pleased to confirm that Hammers legend Kate Longhurst will take part in a special pre-match meet and greet with supporters ahead of our opening home game of the season. Full details on how you can meet Kate can be found HERE. Fan engagement opportunities for our home fixture against Chelsea on Sunday 28 September will be confirmed in due course.
Our players deeply value the connection they share with our fans and we remain committed to creating meaningful interaction in a safe and controlled environment. We thank the Claret and Blue Army for their continued support and understanding.
*Subject to fixture timings and scheduling requirements.