Selhurst Park

Selhurst Park stands in South Norwood, a football stadium built on a former brickfield site bought by Crystal Palace F.C. in 1922. The ground opened in 1924 with a single stand designed by Archibald Leitch, though it remained unfinished because of strikes. Over the years it has hosted international matches, Olympic games in 1948, and even boxing and music concerts. Real Madrid played a friendly here in 1962 when new floodlights were switched on. The stadium has been home to Crystal Palace since its opening, with brief spells shared by Charlton Athletic and Wimbledon. The stadium’s growth reflects the club’s changing fortunes. The Arthur Wait Stand was built in 1969 when Palace reached the top flight for the first time. After safety laws required changes, the Holmesdale Road terrace was rebuilt in 1994 as a two-tier stand holding more than 8,000. Executive boxes were added above the Whitehorse Lane end in the early 1990s. In 2024, plans for a £100 million expansion were finally approved after delays and legal agreements. Visitors find a compact stadium with four distinct stands. The Main Stand, the oldest part, holds the directors’ box and club offices. The Arthur Wait Stand faces it, with space for home and away fans. The Holmesdale Road Stand forms the south-east end, a modern double-tier structure. The Whitehorse Lane end sits behind the supermarket built on land once part of the terrace. The stadium’s recent renovations aim to bring it up to Premier League standards while keeping its character.