Crystal Palace National Sports Centre Redevelopment

The Greater London Authority (GLA) has recently announced plans to transform the historic sports centre into a modern, accessible and sustainable facility for elite athletes, sporting clubs and the local community.

Originally opened in 1964, Crystal Palace National Sports Centre sits within Crystal Palace Park and occupies a 15-hectare site at the meeting point of five London boroughs: Bromley, Croydon, Lewisham, Lambeth and Southwark. The Grade II*-listed centre has played an important role in British sport for decades, hosting major athletics, swimming and diving events as well as the first Women's FA Cup final.

The redevelopment will provide a comprehensive refurbishment of the venue, while retaining and celebrating the site's historic character. To make these essential improvements, Crystal Palace National Sports Centre will be closed from 31st December 2026.

 

What's happening?

• A full refurbishment of the main sports centre, with improved accessibility, an enlarged gym and new dedicated spaces for sporting clubs.
• A new six-court Padel centre, 3x3 basketball courts, five-a-side football pitches and a full-size artificial multi-sports pitch.
• The return of the diving pool and 50m swimming pool to 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.
• Major improvements to the indoor sports zones, including an indoor 100m track, specialist weightlifting facilities and a climbing centre.
• A new community space combining sport, leisure and play, featuring a café, 200m running track, 3x3 basketball court and outdoor gym. These community facilities are planned to be free to access and open to the public.
• A refurbished and redeveloped stadium, including accessible seating for the first time in its history.
• The project will also improve movement around the site, with enhanced lighting and wayfinding and a new step-free route between the Penge and Crystal Palace sides of the park.

A greener, more sustainable sports centre

Sustainability is at the heart of the redevelopment, with the new design targeting a 98% reduction in carbon emissions, using a 'fabric first' approach to improve the energy efficiency of the existing building. Plans also include photovoltaic panels on the centre's roof and air source heat pumps for heating and cooling.

The redevelopment will also address longstanding environmental issues inside the centre. A new glazed screen will separate wet and dry areas, helping to reduce noise and humidity, while an upgraded heating strategy will significantly reduce energy demand.

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

When will works begin?

Morgan Sindall Construction was appointed by the Mayor of London in May 2025 to deliver the project. A pre-construction phase has been underway, including the development of detailed designs and the planning and listed-building consent process.

Planning permission was granted in July 2026, and major works are expected to begin on the site on the 31st December.

The venue is therefore entering a significant period of change as the existing facilities are prepared for the redevelopment.

Keep up to date

Stay up to date with the latest news and developments by visiting this page, as well as following our updates via email and social media.

You can also visit the Greater London Authority's website for further information.