West Ham home matches have a build-up culture worth arriving early for. Supporters gather in the pubs and bars around Stratford in the two hours before kick-off, and the streets take on a noticeably different energy on match days from a normal London afternoon. Inside the ground, the atmosphere sharpens considerably for the high-profile rivalry fixtures, when the crowd tends to be louder and more engaged from the opening minute. The mix of lifelong local supporters and fans who have travelled specifically for the game gives the atmosphere a layered quality. If it is your first visit, arriving an hour before kick-off lets you take in the pre-match build-up and find your seat without rushing.