Plans for a £130 million redevelopment of the National Sports Centre in Crystal Palace received approval at a Bromley council meeting on Thursday evening. The project aims to restore and modernize the facility, which has long been regarded as an important site for UK athletics, and is expected to be completed by 2028.

The approved plans include the construction of a 25,000-seat stadium featuring an extended North Stand, completing the bowl configuration for the first time since the centre’s original opening in 1964. This significant modification will enhance the venue’s capacity to host a variety of sporting events beyond athletics.

In addition to the stadium expansion, the redevelopment will introduce a six-court padel centre, 3x3 basketball courts, five-a-side football pitches, and a full-size artificial multi-sports pitch. The proposal also calls for the refurbishment of the Grade II listed building that houses an Olympic-sized swimming pool and diving facilities, which have been closed since 2020.

The project has garnered strong support from London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan, who has committed substantial funding to the initiative. Khan highlighted the potential for the revamped centre to serve as a high-profile alternative venue to London Stadium, particularly for elite athletics competitions such as the Diamond League, which had previously been hosted at Crystal Palace until 2012.

National sporting organisations including England Athletics, Volleyball England, England Netball, and Swim England have expressed their endorsement of the redevelopment plans, citing the benefits of enhanced facilities for athletes and spectators alike.

Once completed, the upgraded centre is expected to boost the profile of Crystal Palace as a hub for a diverse range of sports, while preserving its historical significance within the UK’s sporting landscape.