The bitter rivals meet for the first time since 2012, with the Hammers vying to keep their positive run going at the start of the new season, and the Lions eager to cause an upset. The two sides, whose bitter rivalry dates back to the 19th century, have developed a reputation for trailblazing hooliganism in English football, and the Met Police are subsequently putting plans in place to tackle any untoward behaviour this weekend.

With West Ham spending the last 14 years in the Premier League whilst Millwall have languished in the second and third tiers, the rivals haven’t locked horns for some time.

This eagerly awaited fixture comes with potential risks, although the authorities have publicised the preparations they’re making to ensure tempers don’t boil over in the areas surrounding the stadium in south-east London.

As soon as West Ham’s relegation from the top flight was confirmed, the footballing world had its eyes set on the derby matches which would take place between the Irons and the Dockers in the 2026/27 Championship season.

Fan trouble has regularly clouded this fixture in the past, and the Met Police are unsurprisingly devising a thorough plan to deal with potential issues.

Posting on X ahead of the derby, the force released a statement detailing the Sporting Events Act 1985, which prohibits supporters from entering grounds whilst intoxicated.

“As with any fixture, the Sporting Events Act 1985 is in place, which means entering or attempting to enter a ground while intoxicated is strictly prohibited,” the statement read.

“A Section 35 dispersal order will also be in place, allowing officers to remove anyone causing disorder. It will cover this area.”

According to The Athletic, the Met Police will deploy around 400 officers in and around the Den on Saturday afternoon. This is roughly four times the usual number for a fixture at a stadium of this capacity — around 20,000.

“A significant number of officers will be in the area, working alongside our mounted branch and police dog unit,” a statement read.

“Live facial recognition will also be deployed.”

The History Behind Millwall and West Ham’s Rivalry

As aforementioned, the rivalry originates from the late 19th century, when two works teams were formed in the East End of London, as per the Standard.

West Ham were a side made up of shipbuilders from the Thames Ironworks company, while Millwall, hailing from the Isle of Dogs, were factory workers from J.T. Morton’s.

Both companies were competing for work on the same dockland, leading to their rivalry being dubbed the ‘Dockers Derby’.

The geographical proximity between the two clubs, combined with the competition for economic power on the docks, built animosity over time as the sides grew in the footballing world.

The fierce hatred between the two sets of supporters has been passed down through multiple generations now, and has led to some unsavoury incidents.

In 1976, the violence between the fanbases was so bad that a Millwall supporter died, while a West Ham fan was murdered in 1986 as a result of fan trouble.

“Since it was confirmed that they [West Ham] would be relegated last season, I think every supporter looked towards this fixture coming up,” Millwall captain Jack Cooper told talkSPORT.

“It’s great we get them at The Den first, and I’m sure our fanbase will be very excited.

“It will be interesting to see what it’s like at their new stadium, how close their fans can impact the game.

“But certainly, at The Den, I think our fans will be incredible. It’ll feel like 40,000 in there instead of 20,000. It will be some atmosphere, for sure.”