{"id":254890,"date":"2026-07-27T14:17:53","date_gmt":"2026-07-27T14:17:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/07\/27\/abandoned-uk-stadium-that-hosted-fa-cup-finals-set-to-be-revived-with-130m\/"},"modified":"2026-07-27T14:17:53","modified_gmt":"2026-07-27T14:17:53","slug":"abandoned-uk-stadium-that-hosted-fa-cup-finals-set-to-be-revived-with-130m","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/07\/27\/abandoned-uk-stadium-that-hosted-fa-cup-finals-set-to-be-revived-with-130m\/","title":{"rendered":"Abandoned UK stadium that hosted FA Cup finals set to be revived with \u00a3130m"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_040f43\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">A legendary stadium that has housed the likes of Usain Bolt is set to undergo significant redevelopment<\/h2>\n<div class=\"Byline_byline-container__K_Owl\" data-testid=\"byline\"><span class=\"Byline_byline-content-wrapper__Imque\" data-testid=\"byline-content\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"Byline_author-badge-date-wrapper__Q7jj1\">\n<p><span class=\"\" data-testid=\"byline-publishedDate\">15:17, 27 Jul 2026<\/span><span class=\"ArticleTimestamp_updated-date__7qD4Q ArticleTimestamp_updated-date-with-published__iFKpF\" data-testid=\"byline-updatedDate\">Updated 15:18, 27 Jul 2026<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37481368\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Crystal Palace National Sports Centre is set to be restored to its former glory\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Crystal Palace National Sports Centre is set to be restored to its former glory<cite aria-label=\"Image: Jam Press\/GLA\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Jam Press\/GLA)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The Crystal Palace National Sports Centre is set to open its doors once again thanks to a \u00a3130million redevelopment. The iconic stadium, located in south London, <a aria-label=\"shut in November 2022 Link opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/football\/news\/fa-cup-final-abandoned-stadium-36953625\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">shut in November 2022 <\/a>due to safety concerns and has largely been abandoned.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">However, plans to restore the ground &#8211; which had <a aria-label=\"hosted the FA Cup final between 1895 and 1914Link opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/football\/news\/fa-cup-final-abandoned-stadium-36953625\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">hosted the FA Cup final between 1895 and 1914<\/a> &#8211; to its former glory drawn up by the Greater London Authority and London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan are set to be approved by Bromley Council.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Regarding the redevelopment plans, a Sport England spokesperson said: &#8220;The Crystal Palace National Sports Centre is tired and dated, and in desperate need of investment and modernisation in order to make it inclusive and accessible to all sections of the local community and to bring it into the 21st century, as well as to set in sound financial footing for the future.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/MirrorSport#\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">All the best sports news and much more on our dedicated Facebook page<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The 15,500-seater stadium, which can be increased to 24,000 through temporary seating, has previously hosted international athletics and concerts featuring the likes of Coldplay and Bruce Springsteen.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Those in charge of the redevelopment want work to be complete by 2029, with full stadium renovation hoping to be done a year later. The seismic work expected to be done to transform the stadium could mark the return of the biggest athletic events to south London.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-37481381\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37481381\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Crystal Palace National Sports Centre\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37481381.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_EXCL-Historic-sports-stadium-that-hosted-FA-Cup-Final-gets-APPROVED-for-\u00a3130-revamp.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37481381.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_EXCL-Historic-sports-stadium-that-hosted-FA-Cup-Final-gets-APPROVED-for-\u00a3130-revamp.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37481381.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_EXCL-Historic-sports-stadium-that-hosted-FA-Cup-Final-gets-APPROVED-for-\u00a3130-revamp.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37481381.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_EXCL-Historic-sports-stadium-that-hosted-FA-Cup-Final-gets-APPROVED-for-\u00a3130-revamp.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"London mayor Sadiq Khan and the Bromley Council are set to approve plans to revive it \" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">London mayor Sadiq Khan and the Bromley Council are set to approve plans to revive it <cite aria-label=\"Image: Jam Press\/GLA\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Jam Press\/GLA)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The venue previously hosted Usain Bolt at the venue in 2009, just a year after the Jamaican icon become a double Olympic champion at the Beijing Games. The potential hosting of Diamond League meetings would allow Olympic 800m champion Keely Hodgkinson to compete at yet another stadium in her home country.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Among the plans to regenerate the centre is increasing the size of the gym, creating new spaces for sporting clubs and 3&#215;3 basketball courts. The construction of a six-court padel centre has also been proposed, as well as five-a-side football pitches and a 200-metre running track.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-37481379\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37481379\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.8848167539267016\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Crystal Palace National Sports Centre\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37481379.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_EXCL-Historic-sports-stadium-that-hosted-FA-Cup-Final-gets-APPROVED-for-\u00a3130-revamp.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37481379.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_EXCL-Historic-sports-stadium-that-hosted-FA-Cup-Final-gets-APPROVED-for-\u00a3130-revamp.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37481379.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_EXCL-Historic-sports-stadium-that-hosted-FA-Cup-Final-gets-APPROVED-for-\u00a3130-revamp.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37481379.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_EXCL-Historic-sports-stadium-that-hosted-FA-Cup-Final-gets-APPROVED-for-\u00a3130-revamp.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"The 35,000-seater ground is set to be restored\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">The 35,000-seater ground is set to be restored<cite aria-label=\"Image: Jam Press\/GLA\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Jam Press\/GLA)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The inclusion of a full-size artificial multi-sports pitch has been planned for on top of an outdoor gym and cafe. The ambitious plans aren&#8217;t to everyone&#8217;s tastes though, with some local residents making their displeasure heard.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">According to the BBC, Bromley Council have received word from 390 people in favour of the redevelopment, with 406 people objecting to the plans.<\/p>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContentsEmbed_affiliate-contents-container__oTiet\" data-testid=\"affiliate-contents-embed\">\n<div data-testid=\"affiliate-content\" class=\"AffiliateContent_affiliate-content-container__10EX_ affiliate-content\">\n<p>Thousands of fans upgraded their Premier League matchday last season. This is how they did it.<\/p>\n<div class=\"AffiliateDisclaimer_affiliate-disclaimer__dG5ST\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateDisclaimer_affiliate-text__8nmDa\">This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/affiliates\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Learn more<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-container__JMDzM AffiliateContent_content-details__U6C2M AffiliateContent_has-content-img___LY95\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-content__QCkL9\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_content-image__FxPNL\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Content Image\" fetchpriority=\"auto\" loading=\"eager\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37313317.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s510b\/0_Untitled-June-03-2026-at-091411jpeg.jpg\"\/><\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_content-price-details__OpMC_\">\n<p>Various Prices<\/p>\n<p>Seat Unique<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"AffiliateContent_content-buy-btn__xWiVO buy-btn\" aria-label=\"Buy button\" href=\"https:\/\/track.webgains.com\/click.html?wgcampaignid=163495&amp;wgprogramid=306113&amp;clickref=Regionals-football.london-widget&amp;wgtarget=https:\/\/www.seatunique.com\/sport-tickets\/football\/competitions\/premier-league-tickets\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\">Buy official packages at Seat Unique<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-container__JMDzM\">\n<div id=\"product-description\" class=\"AffiliateContent_section-content__QCkL9\">\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Official premium experiences available now for the 26\/27 Premier League season. Make it easier than ever to turn a regular fixture into something genuinely unforgettable.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/football\/news\/crystal-palace-fa-cup-stadium-37481362\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A legendary stadium that has housed the likes of Usain Bolt is set to undergo significant redevelopment 15:17, 27 Jul 2026Updated 15:18, 27 Jul 2026 Crystal Palace National Sports Centre is set to be restored to its former glory(Image: Jam Press\/GLA) The Crystal Palace National Sports Centre is set to open its doors once again [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":254891,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6802],"tags":[72191,9983,19740,854,60733,57655,1056],"class_list":{"0":"post-254890","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-athetics","8":"tag-crystal-palace-fc","9":"tag-fa-cup","10":"tag-fa-cup-final","11":"tag-premier-league","12":"tag-sadiq-khan","13":"tag-uk-athletics","14":"tag-usain-bolt"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/254890","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=254890"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/254890\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/254891"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=254890"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=254890"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=254890"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}