The inaugural tournament was held in 2015 at West Ham's previous home Upton Park, with the second tournament taking place at the London Stadium in 2016.
Background
Prior to Betway's sponsorship of West Ham United, the club hosted the Out Performance Display Cup, sponsored by the Essex-based signage company of the same name[1] at Southend United, beating Dutch club 1–0 Vitesse on 9 August 2002.[2] In August 2003, West Ham played PSV Eindhoven at the Boleyn Ground in the second edition, losing 1–2.[3] The cup ran for two more seasons, against Anderlecht and Osasuna respectively.
During SBOBET's sponsorship of the club, the bookmaker sponsored West Ham's pre-season tournament ahead of the 2010–11 season, with the first edition seeing West Ham host Deportivo La Coruña.[5] In 2014, Marathonbet sponsored West Ham's annual pre-season home cup game, a 3–2 win against Sampdoria, before Betway's sponsorship of the club.[6]
West Ham United played reigning Italian champions Juventus at the London Stadium in the official opening of the stadium after being handed to West Ham following the 2012 Summer Olympics, despite playing Slovenian side NK Domžale in the first game at the stadium three days prior in the UEFA Europa League.[8] Juventus striker Simone Zaza scored the winner for the Italian club and signed for West Ham on loan later in August.[9]