Crystal Palace National Sports Centre Redevelopment

The Greater London Authority (GLA) is investing in the future of Crystal Palace National Sports Centre, with plans to transform the historic venue into a modern, accessible and sustainable sporting destination for generations to come.

Originally opened in 1964, the centre has played an important role in British sport for decades. The redevelopment will celebrate its rich sporting heritage while delivering an exciting range of new and improved facilities for elite athletes, sporting clubs and the local community.

To make these essential improvements, Crystal Palace National Sports Centre will close from 31 December 2026, with major redevelopment works expected to begin on the site.

What's happening?

  • A refurbished main sports centre – with improved accessibility, an enlarged gym and new dedicated spaces for sporting clubs.
  • A new outdoor sports offering – including a six-court Padel centre, 3x3 basketball courts, five-a-side football pitches and a full-size artificial multi-sports pitch.
  • Improved swimming and diving facilities – bringing the diving pool and 50m swimming pool back into the aquatics hall. Shallow water, 25m swimming, 50m swimming and diving will all be available within one space and on one level for the first time.
  • Enhanced indoor sports facilities – including an indoor 100m track, specialist weightlifting facilities and a new climbing centre.
  • New community facilities – creating a space that brings together sport, leisure and play, with a café, 200m running track, 3x3 basketball court and outdoor gym. These facilities are planned to be free to access and open to the public.
  • A refurbished stadium – with improved facilities and accessible seating for the first time in its history.
  • Improved access around the site – with enhanced lighting, clearer wayfinding and a new step-free route connecting the Penge and Crystal Palace sides of the park.

A greener, more sustainable future

Sustainability is at the heart of the redevelopment, with plans targeting a 98% reduction in carbon emissions.

The project will use a 'fabric first' approach to improve the energy efficiency of the existing building, alongside photovoltaic panels on the roof and air source heat pumps for heating and cooling.

Improvements will also address longstanding environmental challenges within the centre, including better separation of wet and dry areas to help reduce noise and humidity, alongside an upgraded heating strategy to significantly reduce energy demand.

The Mayor's Green Finance Fund has already provided £23 million of investment to support the centre's transition towards an all-electric operation and reduce its reliance on fossil fuels.

When will the redevelopment begin?

Morgan Sindall Construction was appointed by the Mayor of London in May 2025 to deliver the redevelopment.

Following a period of pre-construction work, including detailed design development and the planning and listed-building consent process, planning permission was granted in July 2026.

Crystal Palace National Sports Centre will close on 31 December 2026, with major works expected to begin on the site from this date.

The redevelopment represents an exciting new chapter for this iconic sporting venue, helping secure its future for generations to come.

Keep up to date

We will keep this page updated with the latest information about the redevelopment and progress on site.

You can also follow our updates via email and social media as we move towards the next chapter in the history of Crystal Palace National Sports Centre.

For further information about the redevelopment, visit the Greater London Authority's website.