The short answer
West Ham United (Championship) runs a Category 1 academy with squads from Under-9. It can register Under-9 to Under-11 players who live within 1 hour of the academy and Under-12 to Under-16 players within 1½ hours (no limit at Under-14 to Under-16 on the full-time model). From Under-17 there is no limit. The academy is based at Chadwell Heath Training Ground, Chadwell Heath, Romford.
| League 2026/27 | Championship |
| Academy | Category 1 |
| Academy age groups | Under-9 to Under-21 |
| Academy base | Chadwell Heath Training Ground, Chadwell Heath, Romford |
How far West Ham United can recruit from
Under Rule 262 of the Youth Development Rules, a Category 1 academy can only register players who live within these travel times of its main training venue:
| Age group | Travel limit |
|---|---|
| Under-9 to Under-11 | 1 hour |
| Under-12 to Under-16 | 1½ hours (no limit Under-14 to Under-16 on the full-time model) |
| Under-17 to Under-21 | No limit |
Trials have their own limits: 1 hour at Under-9 to Under-11, 1½ hours at Under-12 and Under-13, and no limit from Under-14 to Under-16 (Rule 270).
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Compensation if a player leaves West Ham United
When a player aged Under-9 to Under-16 leaves the West Ham United academy for another club and compensation is due (for example, because West Ham United wanted to keep the player), the new club pays a fixed training cost for each year the player was registered here, at the Category 1 rate (Rule 363).
For example, a player registered at West Ham United from Under-9 to Under-14 would cost the new club £215,000 in training costs, before any appearance payments. Read how it works in our EPPP compensation guide.
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Nearest other academies
Approximate straight-line distance between academy bases. Journey times by road will be longer.
| Club | Category | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Leyton Orient | Category 3 | 5 miles |
| Arsenal | Category 1 | 7 miles |
| Millwall | Category 2 | 9 miles |
| Charlton Athletic | Category 2 | 9 miles |
| Tottenham Hotspur | Category 1 | 13 miles |
| Crystal Palace | Category 1 | 13 miles |
Frequently asked questions
What category is the West Ham United academy?
West Ham United runs a Category 1 academy in 2026/27, with academy squads at Under-9 to Under-21.
How far can West Ham United recruit academy players from?
Under-9 to Under-11 players must live within 1 hour of the academy and Under-12 to Under-16 players within 1 and a half hours, except Under-14 to Under-16 players on the full-time model, who have no limit. From Under-17 there is no limit.
Where does the West Ham United academy train?
The West Ham United academy is based at Chadwell Heath Training Ground, Chadwell Heath, Romford.
Source: Southampton: Premier League 2 fixtures released for Under-21s' 2026/27 season (2026-08-10); Training Ground Guru club profile: West Ham United (shows 2025/26 Academy Productivity Rankings) (accessed 2026-10-29); West Ham United: new Academy headquarters at Chadwell Heath (2019-04-02). Last checked 29 October 2026. Academy categories can change after an audit. If something here is out of date, email info@scout52.com.