There's been no shortage of talk about West Ham's move to the London Stadium last summer. Many have pointed out that it isn't an ideal footballing theatre and regularly lacks atmosphere.
The Hammers moved from the Boleyn Ground to their new home in Stratford over the summer and have seen a variety of issues arise this season, including a handful of West Ham fans being left without a seat during a match against Bournemouth and various crowd disturbances.
However,StadiumDBcertainly doesn't seem to see much of a problem as it has shortlisted the London Stadium for Stadium of the Year alongsideBesiktas' new Vodafone Arena in Istanbul, Udinese's Dacia Arena and the Hard Rock Stadium, which is the home of NFL teamMiami Dolphins.
Stadium shock! Much-maligned London Stadium on shortlist for world venue award https://t.co/H66jrtNxD2 #WHUFC pic.twitter.com/FPPj1Lk9wU
Every nominated venue is ranked in three categories - visual impact, relation with surroundings and innovation, with the winner announced on March 6. The public are also able to vote for their favourite via competition hosts StadiumDB.com.
Awards are unlikely to change the minds of supporters, who are yet to fully warm to the impressively constructed arena.
Hammers legend Billy Bonds summed it up well when he told fanzineKnees Up Mother Brownearlier this season, highlighting the difference between it and Arsenal's Emirates Stadium.
"It seems strange," he said."The pitch is like an island out in the middle. Slaven Bilic has to walk 20-odd yards to get to the edge of pitch and when you're sitting up high you can see a big trench where they've moved the seats. Arsenal built a new stadium but they're two yards away from the playing surface."
However, the atmosphere does appear to have improved greatly, as shown in the below video.
Great atmosphere at the @LondonStadium today. Come on you irons!! âš’ #WHUFC pic.twitter.com/Bbg9qesv60