Plans for redevelopment of Crystal Palace National Sports Centre approved

• The Mayor welcomes major milestone for the transformative renovation plans which will create top quality sporting facilities for the local community.
• Mayor’s plans for sustainable redevelopment approved by the London Borough of Bromley, with work set to start on 15-hectare site later this year.
• Improvements will include refurbishment of the swimming and diving pools 
• Plans will also deliver a new Padel centre, 3x3 basketball courts, five-a-side football pitches and a full-size artificial multi-sports pitch.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has welcomed a major step forward in the redevelopment of Crystal Palace National Sports Centre, after the planning application for the transformative renovation of the historic sporting and community facility was formally approved.

The centre, which first opened in South London in 1964, comprises an athletics stadium, indoor arena, swimming and diving pools, together with a large gym and a multitude of other internal and external sports facilities.

It was the site of the first Women’s FA Cup final, and has hosted everything from swimming and diving to world class athletics over the years – but is in need of major investment. 

Sadiq announced major plans for a redevelopment of the site in summer 2023 to upgrade sporting facilities for the local community, including a refurbishment of the 50m swimming and diving pools and improvements to the indoor facilities, external pitches and athletics stadium. [1]

Proposals for a sustainable, accessible, and world-class transformation of the centre were submitted in March this year and have now formally been approved by the London Borough of Bromley, with work expected to start on the 15-hectare site in late 2026. [2]

The renovation plans have been publicly backed by more than 15 national governing sports bodies and clubs, alongside local political leaders and Historic England, who praised the proposal for making the centre ‘fit for the future’. [3]

Key aspects the work will include:

• A full refurbishment of the Grade II*- listed Crystal Palace National Sports Centre building. This will include improved accessibility, an enlarged gym and new dedicated spaces for sporting clubs.
• The creation of a six-court Padel centre, 3x3 basketball courts, five-a-side football pitches and a full-size artificial multi-sports pitch.
• The diving pool and 50m swimming pool will return in the aquatics hall – meaning that shallow water, 25m swimming, 50m swimming and diving will all be provided in one space and on one level for the first time.
• Improvements to the indoor sports zones to elevate elite performance by providing year-round use for clubs, athletes and the community – including an indoor 100m track, specialist weightlifting facility, and climbing centre.
• A new community space combining sports, leisure, and play, with a 200m running track, a 3x3 basketball court, and an outdoor gym, as well as a café. 
• A refurbished and re-developed stadium is also planned, including accessible seating for the first time in its history. 

The Mayor continues to seek partners and funders to help deliver the long-term vision for the stadium, ensuring the whole site can reach its full potential and continue to inspire Londoners for years to come.

Sustainability is at the heart of the project, with the new design targeting a 98 per cent reduction in carbon emissions through sustainable construction choices, such as adding photovoltaic panels (PV) to the centre’s roof and using air source heat pumps to provide heating and cooling. Sadiq delivered a £23m investment boost from his Green Finance Fund in 2024 to support the centre to go all-electric and reduce carbon emissions, eliminating the reliance on fossil fuels for the first time in its 60-year history. [4]

Last year, the Mayor confirmed the appointment of Morgan Sindall Construction to deliver the design and build of the centre. The leading UK contractor specialises in sustainable, community-focused projects. [5]

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I’m delighted that planning approval has been granted for this once-in-a-generation redevelopment of the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre. 

“This historic and much-loved national sports facility has created so many UK sporting stars, but it needs major investment and refurbishment and I am committed to delivering this.

“We now look forward to starting the next phase of work alongside partners and the local community to create an outstanding sporting venue, as we work together to build a better London for everyone.”

Liam Conlon, MP for Beckenham and Penge, said: This is a major milestone and a massive moment for South London. Crystal Palace was once known as the spiritual home of UK Athletics, but the site has become increasingly run down, with the pools closed for years and the stadium looking tired. 

“Backed by our Mayor, Sir Sadiq Khan, this once-in-a-generation project will deliver a revitalised centre, providing opportunities for local people in our area, and inspiring the next generation of Team GB Olympians and Paralympians.

“The redevelopment is now firmly on its way, and I look forward to continuing to work alongside essential partners including Sir Sadiq Khan, project director Ben Woods and the Crystal Palace Sports Partnership.”

Richard Dobson, Area Director for Morgan Sindall in London, said: “We can’t wait to start delivering the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre renovation now that planning has been approved, as we know this project is going to unlock incredible benefits for so many people in the South London area.

“The design for the revitalised centre is a real showcase for what can be achieved when ambitious, innovative planning for a sustainable sports centre is combined with considerate, insightful collaborations with the people, athletes, and stakeholders that are going to be most affected by this transformative development.

John Powell MBE, Chair of the Crystal Palace Sports Partnership said: “After over 12 years of campaigning this is a massive moment for London as one of its most iconic sporting venues can at last rise from the ashes.  We are indebted to the dozens of partners, not least the GLA and the Mayor of London who have worked tirelessly with us for over a decade to guarantee the future for a huge sporting asset not only for the local community but the wider sporting fraternity.

“The work doesn't stop here though - with planning permission in place we now need to secure willing partners and stakeholders to help with funding and renovating the athletics stadium and complete the return of world class sporting facilities in South London.”