The Peoples Pension Stadium

The People’s Pension Stadium stands in Crawley, West Sussex, on the edge of town beside a busy roundabout. It is a football ground with three roofed stands and one open terrace, set between housing estates and retail parks. Crawley Town F.C. moved here in 1997 after selling their old ground, and Brighton & Hove Albion W.F.C. also play home games here. The stadium has hosted England’s Sealand national team and holds just over six thousand spectators. A large football sculpture marks the roundabout at the entrance, visible from the M23 motorway. The ground is worth the journey because it shows how a modest club can grow. In 2012 a new 2,122-seat stand was built in twelve weeks to meet Football League rules. The record crowd of 5,572 watched Crawley Town draw with Wrexham in October 2023. The West Stand contains the club shop and offices, while the North and South terraces curve round the pitch corners. Away fans sit in the North Stand, and the South Stand is known for its loud home support. Visitors find a compact bowl with good sightlines from every seat. The East Stand roof shelters fans on wet afternoons, and the West Stand offices open on match days. The roundabout outside has a giant football on a pole, a local landmark. From the ground it is a short drive to Crawley station or a mile’s walk across the retail park. The stadium feels part of the town, not hidden away.