Selhurst Park, the iconic home of Crystal Palace Football Club, stands as one of English football’s most historic and atmospheric venues, having served the Eagles since 1924. Located in the London Borough of Croydon in South London, this 25,486-capacity stadium was designed by legendary Scottish architect Archibald Leitch and has witnessed over a century of passionate football, Olympic events, and international matches.
Historical Timeline
Early Years (1919-1924)
Crystal Palace began pursuing a permanent home as early as February 25, 1919, after World War I forced them to leave their original ground at the Crystal Palace exhibition site, which had been seized by the Admiralty. Following brief spells at Herne Hill Velodrome, West Norwood FC’s ground, and Croydon Common Athletic Ground, the club finally found their opportunity in 1922.
In 1922, Crystal Palace purchased a former brickfield site from the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway Company for £2,750. The club had been playing at a modest ground called “The Nest” on Selhurst Road, but the acquisition of this larger site represented a significant step forward.
Construction began immediately under the direction of Archibald Leitch, with building work carried out by Humphreys of Kensington for approximately £30,000. The project took two years to complete, though industrial action delayed the finishing touches.
Grand Opening (August 30, 1924)
Selhurst Park was officially opened by the Lord Mayor of London on August 30, 1924. The inaugural match saw Crystal Palace face The Wednesday (now Sheffield Wednesday), with 25,000 fans witnessing a 1-0 defeat for the home side. At opening, the stadium featured only one stand, the Main Stand, which remained unfinished due to the industrial disputes.
Development Through the Decades
1926: Selhurst Park hosted its first international match when England faced Wales.
1948: The stadium held events during the 1948 Summer Olympics in London, marking its status as a significant sporting venue.
1953: Crystal Palace installed the ground’s first floodlights, modernizing the facility for evening matches.
1961: Selhurst Park recorded an extraordinary attendance of 37,774 for a Division Four match against local rivals Millwall, still the record attendance for a fourth-tier game in English football.
1969: Following Crystal Palace’s first promotion to the top flight, the club constructed the Arthur Wait Stand on the northeast side, significantly increasing capacity. This stand was designed primarily to accommodate away supporters.
1979: The stadium witnessed its record attendance of 51,482 when Crystal Palace defeated Burnley 2-0 to clinch the Football League Second Division championship.
1980: The Whitehorse Lane Stand underwent renovation, converting the standing terrace into a modern seating area.
1983-1995: Major renovations transformed the Holmesdale Road terrace, Main Stand, and other sections of the ground.
1994: The current Holmesdale Road Stand was built, replacing the previous terrace on the southeast side and becoming the newest stand at Selhurst Park.
Ground-Sharing Era (1985-2003)
Financial difficulties in English football led to unique ground-sharing arrangements at Selhurst Park:
- Charlton Athletic shared the stadium from 1985 to 1991 after leaving The Valley
- Wimbledon FC called Selhurst Park home from 1991 to 2003, creating one of the Premier League’s longest ground-share arrangements
Notably, during Wimbledon’s tenure, Selhurst Park recorded the lowest attendance for a Premier League game, just 3,039 spectators for Wimbledon versus Everton on January 26, 1993.
Modern Era (1998-Present)
1998: Financial difficulties forced Crystal Palace to sell the freehold of Selhurst Park, separating the club from stadium ownership for the first time.
2010: CPFC 2010, led by current ownership, saved the club from extinction and reunited Crystal Palace with their stadium through a £4 million purchase, marking the first time since 1998 that the club owned both the team and the ground.
2013-2014: Further renovations modernized facilities throughout the stadium.
2018-Present: Crystal Palace unveiled ambitious plans for a £100 million redevelopment project that would increase capacity from 25,486 to approximately 33,674.
Stadium Architecture & Stands
Arthur Wait Stand (Northeast)
Built in 1969 following Palace’s promotion to the First Division, this stand maintains its original structure and character. A significant portion (approximately 3,000 seats) is allocated to away supporters, making it the primary visiting fan section. The stand features classic terracing converted to seating and represents Selhurst Park’s mid-century expansion.
Holmesdale Road Stand (Southeast)
The newest stand at Selhurst Park, constructed in 1994 to replace the previous terrace. This modern structure houses passionate home supporters who create much of Selhurst Park’s famous atmosphere. The Holmesdale Road faithful are renowned throughout English football for their vocal support, particularly the “Holmesdale Fanatics” ultras group who organize tifos and coordinated chants.
The Main Stand (Southwest)
Capacity: 5,460 + 63 press seats
The original 1924 Archibald Leitch structure has undergone numerous improvements and rebuilds throughout the decades. Modern renovations have added new seating, lounges, bars, and a distinctive glass frontage while maintaining the classic architectural elements that connect Selhurst Park to its heritage. This stand houses media facilities, executive boxes, and the club’s administrative offices.
Whitehorse Lane Stand (Northwest)
Capacity: 2,219 + 480 executive box seats
Known as the family stand, this section underwent renovation in 1980. Located at the Whitehorse Lane end of the ground, it features luxury boxes for VIP supporters and provides a family-friendly atmosphere for home fans. The stand also contains corporate hospitality facilities and offers excellent views of the action.
Stadium Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Selhurst Park |
| Location | Selhurst, London Borough of Croydon, SE25 6PU |
| Opened | August 30, 1924 |
| Architect | Archibald Leitch |
| Constructor | Humphreys of Kensington |
| Current Capacity | 25,486 |
| Record Attendance | 51,482 (Crystal Palace 2-0 Burnley, 1979) |
| Pitch Size | Standard (105m x 68m) |
| Home Club | Crystal Palace F.C. (since 1924) |
| Previous Tenants | Charlton Athletic (1985-1991), Wimbledon FC (1991-2003) |
Getting to Selhurst Park
By Train
Selhurst Park is excellently served by multiple railway stations, making it one of the most accessible stadiums in London:
Selhurst Station (Closest): Just minutes from the ground on Selhurst Road
Norwood Junction Station [NOR]: Located at Station Road, South Norwood, SE25 5AG, 15 minutes’ walk
Thornton Heath Station [TTH]: Located at Brigstock Road, Thornton Heath, Surrey, CR7 8RX. 15 minutes’ walk
These stations are serviced by Southern Rail, Thameslink, and London Overground services from Victoria, London Bridge, and other major terminals.
By Bus
Multiple bus routes pass Selhurst Park, including routes X68, 75, 50, 157, 250, 198, and 468. Services stop at Whitehorse Lane near the stadium, with journey times from central London approximately 55 minutes.
By Car
Driving to Selhurst Park is not recommended on matchdays due to severe parking restrictions in the residential area surrounding the ground. If traveling by car, take Brixton Road (A204), Norwood Road, Beulah Hill, and Whitehorse Lane. Private residential streets have time and permit parking restrictions, making close access to the ground generally unavailable on matchdays.
Matchday Experience
Atmosphere
Selhurst Park is world-renowned for its intimidating atmosphere, consistently ranked among the Premier League’s most hostile venues for visiting teams. The Holmesdale Road Stand generates exceptional noise levels, with coordinated chants, flags, and displays creating a cauldron of sound that lifts the home team and unsettles opponents.
Facilities
Modern renovations have brought contemporary amenities to the historic stadium:
- Multiple bars and refreshment concourses
- Family-friendly sections with dedicated facilities
- Executive boxes and premium hospitality suites
- Modern turnstiles and entry systems
- Disabled access and facilities throughout
Pre-Match Activities
The area surrounding Selhurst Park features traditional matchday pubs including the Clifton Arms, Cherry Trees, and Railway Telegraph, where fans gather before kickoff. Street vendors sell scarves, programs, and refreshments on Whitehorse Lane and surrounding streets.
Future Development Plans
Since 2018, Crystal Palace has been developing plans for a transformative £100 million redevelopment of Selhurst Park. The project aims to:
- Increase capacity from 25,486 to approximately 33,674
- Modernize all four stands while preserving historic character
- Improve accessibility and facilities throughout the ground
- Enhance corporate hospitality offerings
- Maintain Selhurst Park as Crystal Palace’s permanent home
The redevelopment represents the most ambitious expansion in the stadium’s 101-year history and would secure Selhurst Park’s future as a Premier League venue for generations to come.
Historic Significance
Selhurst Park stands as one of English football’s most historic stadiums, designed by Archibald Leitch, whose portfolio includes iconic grounds such as Ibrox, Villa Park, Goodison Park, and the original stands at Old Trafford, Anfield, and Stamford Bridge. As the oldest continuously-used stadium in the Premier League without major redevelopment, Selhurst Park preserves architectural elements and atmosphere from football’s golden age while incorporating modern facilities.
The stadium has witnessed Crystal Palace’s remarkable journey from founding through multiple promotions, relegations, FA Cup finals, and European campaigns. It hosted Olympic events, international matches, and some of English football’s most memorable moments, cementing its place in sporting history.
For over a century, Selhurst Park has been more than just a stadium, it’s the heart of Crystal Palace Football Club and the spiritual home of the Eagles’ passionate fanbase.
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