Selhurst Park

The history of Selhurst Park stretches back to 1924, when it was opened as a modern home for Crystal Palace FC, designed by one of the era's most celebrated football-ground architects.

Construction and opening

The stadium was designed by Archibald Leitch, the Scottish specialist whose portfolio includes Anfield, Ibrox and Craven Cottage among dozens of British grounds. Selhurst Park opened on 30 August 1924 and has been Crystal Palace's home ever since. Leitch's characteristic hand is visible in the Main Stand, with its distinctive roof and decorative brick gable detailing.

Shared tenancies and difficult years

During a period of financial hardship for Crystal Palace the ground was shared with other London clubs. Charlton Athletic used Selhurst Park from 1985 to 1991 after their own Valley ground was closed. Wimbledon FC (later AFC Wimbledon) then moved in and stayed until 2003. Crystal Palace themselves went into administration in 1998 before being rebuilt as a going concern.

The stadium today

Gradual improvements have been made since the early 2000s. The Holmesdale Road End was roofed, greatly improving the acoustics of the ground's loudest section. In 2016 Crystal Palace unveiled plans to expand capacity to 34,000, a project that stalled several times but was revived under new club ownership in 2024.

Selhurst Park is renowned for its loud and intense atmosphere, surprising many visitors accustomed to larger arenas. The heartbeat of that atmosphere is the Holmesdale Road End, the home end behind the southern goal where the most fervent Crystal Palace supporters gather.

The Holmesdale Road End

The Holmesdale Road End is a legendarily vocal stand that on a full matchday is louder than many much larger Premier League grounds. The supporters' group Holmesdale Fanatics, active since 2011, has introduced a continental-style support culture: choreography, drums, and relentless singing throughout the match. Their influence transformed Selhurst Park's atmosphere from average into one of the best in English football. The supporters are widely known by the club nickname 'Eagles'.

The beach ball incident (2009)

One of English football's most bizarre moments took place at Selhurst Park in October 2009. During a Crystal Palace vs Sunderland match a supporter in the stands inflated a large beach ball and let it loose onto the pitch. The ball rolled across the playing surface and almost directly into Sunderland goalkeeper Darren Ward's net before a goal was controversially awarded when it deflected the real match ball in. The incident went viral long before social media was the dominant force it is today and remains an enduring symbol of English football's unpredictability.

Matchday

The atmosphere at Selhurst Park begins building hours before kick-off in the surrounding pubs along Church Road and Whitehorse Lane. The sea of red and blue, the chants echoing through tight residential streets and the smell of traditional matchday food combine to create an authentic lower-capacity Premier League experience.

Getting to Selhurst Park from central London by train takes roughly 30-40 minutes.

How to get there

• Train: The most convenient option is a Southern Rail service from London Bridge or Victoria to Selhurst or Thornton Heath stations, a journey of 25-30 minutes. Selhurst station is a 5-minute walk from the ground.
• Overground/Tram: Norwood Junction (London Overground) is around 15 minutes on foot. The Croydon Tramlink also serves Norwood Junction.
• Car: Street parking is very limited and restricted by resident permit zones on matchdays. Public transport is strongly recommended.

Tickets and tours

Tickets for Crystal Palace FC matches are sold via the official club website. High-profile fixtures -- derbies against Brighton or Chelsea, for example -- sell out well in advance. Selhurst Park does not offer the extensive stadium tour programme of larger clubs, but a club shop operates in and around the ground on matchdays.

Visitor tips

• Food and drink: Pubs and food outlets on Whitehorse Lane and Church Road -- aim to arrive at least an hour before kick-off.
• Family sections: Designated family areas with lower noise levels are available at the stadium.
• Accessibility: The ground provides dedicated wheelchair and ambulant disabled spaces across all four stands.
• Weather: Selhurst Park is an open-air stadium; seats under the stand roofs are advisable in wet weather.