Crystal Palace were founded in 1905 and are based at Selhurst Park in South London. Known as The Eagles, Palace have a strong local identity and one of the Premier League's most distinctive atmospheres, particularly around the Holmesdale Road end. The club have moved between divisions across their history but have built a lasting top-flight presence in the modern Premier League era.
Selhurst Park is one of the Premier League's most traditional and atmospheric grounds. It sits in South London between Selhurst, Thornton Heath and Norwood Junction, surrounded by residential streets rather than open stadium land. That setting gives it a proper old-school football feel: tight approaches, busy pavements, nearby takeaways and pubs, and stands that feel close to the pitch.
The ground is made up of the Holmesdale Road Stand, Arthur Wait Stand, Main Stand and Whitehorse Lane Stand. The Holmesdale Road Stand is the famous home end and is the centre of Crystal Palace's atmosphere, particularly the vocal support associated with the lower tier. The Arthur Wait Stand runs along one side of the pitch and houses the away section at one end. The Main Stand is the older stand opposite, while the Whitehorse Lane end contains a smaller stand with hospitality and family-focused areas.
Selhurst Park is not the most modern stadium in the league, and some areas can feel cramped compared with newer grounds. However, that is also part of its appeal. The noise from the Holmesdale can dominate the ground, and the compact layout means away fans are close enough to both the pitch and the home crowd to feel fully involved. For neutrals, side-stand views are preferable, but the atmosphere is a major part of the Selhurst experience.
A rivalry not based on shared streets but on repeated clashes, managerial flashpoints and fan hostility that turned Palace and Brighton into unlikely but genuine enemies.
Brighton & Hove AlbionCrystal PalaceAmerican Express Stadium, Brighton and Hove | Premier League
Crystal PalaceBrighton & Hove AlbionSelhurst Park, London | Premier League
A hard-edged south London rivalry where local territory, fan reputation and long gaps between meetings often make the fixture feel bigger when it returns.
No upcoming rivalry fixture currently listed.
A south London rivalry shaped by geography and supporter overlap, with both clubs competing for standing across the same football patch.
No upcoming rivalry fixture currently listed.
Away supporters at Selhurst Park are normally located in the Arthur Wait Stand, towards the Whitehorse Lane end of the ground. The allocation is usually around the standard Premier League away allocation, although exact numbers and blocks can change by fixture and competition. The away section is an older-style side allocation rather than a modern end behind the goal.
Views from the Arthur Wait Stand can vary. Some seats are fine, but there can be restricted views from pillars or the roofline, and the concourse is noticeably tighter than at newer Premier League stadiums. Travelling supporters should check any restricted-view information when buying tickets through their own club. The atmosphere, however, can be excellent because the away section is close to the pitch and close to the Palace support.
Away supporters should approach the stadium using the route given by their own club and police advice. Selhurst Park is hemmed into residential streets, so segregation and stewarding can affect movement around the ground. Thornton Heath and Norwood Junction are commonly used by travelling supporters, but both can be very busy after the match.
From the north, use the M25 and approach south London via Junction 7, following the A23 towards Croydon and Thornton Heath. Crystal Palace guidance routes drivers through Croydon before turning towards Brigstock Road and the Selhurst Park area. The stadium is in a residential district with strict parking restrictions, so driving to the ground itself is not recommended unless parking is already arranged.
From the south, use the A23 corridor towards Croydon and Thornton Heath, then follow local roads towards Whitehorse Lane and Selhurst Park. The roads around the ground are narrow and residential, with heavy enforcement on matchdays. Supporters should arrive early and avoid assuming there will be street parking nearby.
From south-east London or Kent, approach via the South Circular, A232 or Croydon routes depending on traffic. Selhurst Park is not close to a major motorway-style final approach, so the last few miles are slow urban roads. Parking near the stadium is very limited and local restrictions should be expected.
From west or south-west London, routes usually involve the A23, A232 or South Circular towards Croydon and Thornton Heath. The final approach to Whitehorse Lane can be congested well before kick-off. Public transport or pre-booked parking away from the ground is usually a better option than searching close to Selhurst Park.
Norwood Junction is one of the best stations for Selhurst Park and is around a 10 to 15-minute walk from the ground. It is served by National Rail and London Overground routes, making it especially useful for supporters arriving from London Bridge, Croydon, Canada Water or east London connections. It can be busy after matches but gives strong network options.
Selhurst Station is a straightforward option for Selhurst Park and is around a 15-minute walk from the stadium. It is useful for supporters travelling on Southern services via London Victoria, London Bridge, Clapham Junction or East Croydon. It is generally a sensible option if your train stops there and you want the most direct local walk.
Thornton Heath is another good station for Selhurst Park, usually around a 15-minute walk from the ground. It works well for supporters arriving from central London via Southern services and is often used by away fans depending on police and stewarding advice. Follow matchday signs towards Whitehorse Lane and allow time for crowds after the match.
From Norwood Junction, walk along Selhurst Road or the signed matchday route towards Selhurst Park. The walk usually takes around 10 to 15 minutes. This is one of the better options for supporters using National Rail or London Overground, but allow time for crowds around the stadium.
From Selhurst Station, walk north towards Selhurst Road and Whitehorse Lane. The walk to the stadium usually takes around 10 to 15 minutes. It is a simple local route and a good option if your Southern service stops there.
From Thornton Heath, walk along the High Street and towards Whitehorse Lane, following signs and the matchday crowd to Selhurst Park. The walk is usually around 15 minutes. It is often used by away fans, but follow police or stewarding guidance for your fixture.
Gatwick is the best airport for Crystal Palace because it sits south of London and has strong rail links towards East Croydon, Norwood Junction and the south London network. From Gatwick, take a train towards East Croydon and change for Norwood Junction, Selhurst or Thornton Heath depending on service. From those stations it is a 10 to 15-minute walk to Selhurst Park. This is much better than crossing London from Heathrow.
London City Airport is also viable for Crystal Palace, particularly for European routes. Take the DLR from the airport towards Canning Town or Bank, then connect through London Bridge for National Rail services to Norwood Junction, Selhurst or Thornton Heath. It involves changes, but it keeps you on the east/south-east side of London and avoids the long Heathrow transfer.
TfL route 468 is one of the useful bus services for Selhurst Park, serving the Croydon and south London corridor. It can work well for local supporters or those connecting from rail stations, though road closures and matchday traffic can affect the final approach.
TfL route 157 serves the Crystal Palace / Thornton Heath / Croydon area and is a useful bus option for Selhurst Park. It is particularly handy if you are staying locally or coming from Crystal Palace station, but allow extra time on busy matchdays.
TfL route 410 is useful across the Croydon / Crystal Palace / Thornton Heath area and can bring supporters close to Selhurst Park. For away fans, follow police or stewarding guidance once close to Whitehorse Lane and the visiting supporter end.
Crystal Palace list Addison Lee as a local private hire option for Selhurst Park. Private hire taxis can drop off at the corner of Park Road and Whitehorse Lane, near the visiting supporter end, but the area is busy on matchdays and pick-up should be arranged away from the tightest stadium streets.
Crystal Palace list Carlton Cars as another local private hire option. This can be useful from Croydon, Norwood Junction, Thornton Heath or local hotels, especially for supporters with access needs. Use the official drop-off advice around Park Road and Whitehorse Lane.
St Chad's Primary School is one of the few realistic organised matchday parking options near Selhurst Park and has been listed at around £20, managed externally. It is only a short walk from the ground and is far better than trying to park in nearby residential streets. Book or check availability before travelling because spaces are limited.
Selhurst Park has no public stadium parking and sits in a restricted residential area, so pre-booked private parking around Norwood Junction, Thornton Heath or South Norwood is the safest driving option. Look for spaces 10 to 20 minutes' walk from the ground and avoid roads immediately around Whitehorse Lane unless your booking clearly allows access.
Parking in Croydon town centre and continuing by train or bus to Selhurst Park can be a sensible alternative. Use one of the larger town-centre car parks, then travel to Selhurst, Thornton Heath or Norwood Junction. It adds a public transport leg but avoids the tight matchday restrictions around the stadium.
Popular Thornton Heath pub often used by football supporters heading to Selhurst Park. It is convenient if arriving by train, but expect it to be busy and check colour policy for higher-risk fixtures.
Large Wetherspoons pub near Thornton Heath station and a practical meeting point before Crystal Palace away days. Good for food and drink, but it can get crowded close to kick-off.
Pub close to Norwood Junction, useful if arriving on Overground or rail services. It is a longer walk to Selhurst Park than Thornton Heath, but can be useful for avoiding the busiest station-side pubs.
South London chicken shop option near Thornton Heath, useful for a quick takeaway before walking to Selhurst Park. Expect matchday queues around the station area.
Cafe/restaurant option near Thornton Heath, useful for supporters arriving early by train before heading to Selhurst Park. Check opening times before evening fixtures.
Pub near Thornton Heath station serving food and drinks. A practical pre-match option before walking to Selhurst Park, though it gets very busy on matchdays.
Practical Croydon hotel for Crystal Palace away trips, with rail links towards Thornton Heath, Selhurst or Norwood Junction. Better than trying to find limited accommodation right beside Selhurst Park.
Croydon hotel with good rail connections for Selhurst Park. Useful for supporters who want London access as well as a manageable route to the ground.
Small hotel option in Beckenham, a short drive or rail/taxi connection from Crystal Palace and Selhurst Park. Useful if you prefer a quieter South London base.
The best way to visit Selhurst Park is usually by train. Thornton Heath, Norwood Junction and Selhurst stations are all within walking distance, with Thornton Heath often the most commonly used by away fans. Driving is not recommended unless you have a clear parking plan, because the streets around the ground are residential, narrow and heavily controlled on matchdays.
Arrive early if it is your first visit. Selhurst Park is not a modern out-of-town bowl with wide open approaches; it is a compact urban stadium where queues, pavements and road closures can slow you down. The Arthur Wait Stand concourse can be busy, so away supporters should not leave entry until the last few minutes.
For pubs and food, the surrounding area has options but many venues operate matchday door policies, particularly for high-profile fixtures. Away fans should check advice from their own club before choosing where to drink. After full-time, expect slow movement around the away end and managed routes back towards the main stations.
Crystal Palace home tickets are sold through the club's official ticketing system, with priority normally given to season-ticket holders, members and supporters with booking history. Premier League matches, London fixtures and games against major clubs are usually in high demand, and Palace may restrict sales or ticket sharing for certain fixtures to protect home areas.
For neutrals, the best views are generally in the side stands, although the older nature of Selhurst Park means it is worth checking for restricted-view seats before buying. The Holmesdale Road Stand is the main home atmosphere area and is not really a neutral section. Seats close to the away allocation in the Arthur Wait Stand can be lively and may have more segregation-related restrictions.
Away tickets are sold by the visiting club. Travelling supporters should buy only through official away channels and should check whether their ticket has any restricted-view note. Away fans should not buy in home areas, as Crystal Palace enforce segregation and may take action where away supporters are identified in home sections.
Selhurst Park operates standard Premier League ground regulations, including searches on entry, no pyrotechnics, no pitch encroachment, no discriminatory behaviour and no alcohol consumption in view of the pitch. Supporters must use the entrance and block shown on their ticket and follow steward instructions around segregated areas.
Crystal Palace allow supporters to bring a small bag or backpack provided it is small enough to fit under the seat and is searched at the turnstiles. Larger luggage should not be taken into the stands. The club has also advertised a luggage facility at the Information Centre near Entrance 9, open before and shortly after the match, although supporters should check current arrangements before relying on it.
Flags and banners may need approval, and space to display them is limited. Away supporters should check their own club's away guide and Crystal Palace's visiting supporter information before bringing large flags, surfer banners or display material.
Crystal Palace provide visitor and accessibility information for Selhurst Park, but the stadium's age means disabled supporters should plan carefully. Accessible seating, wheelchair positions and companion arrangements are available, but the older stands and tight surrounding streets can make the experience more challenging than at newer venues.
Away disabled supporters should book through the visiting club and confirm the exact location of wheelchair or ambulant disabled seats. Because the away section is in the Arthur Wait Stand, access routes, concourse space and viewing positions should be checked in advance, especially for supporters who need step-free access or who cannot manage long periods standing in queues.
Supporters using public transport should consider the walk from Thornton Heath, Norwood Junction or Selhurst stations and the post-match crowding around each route. Anyone needing assistance should contact the club or visiting ticket office before travelling rather than relying on matchday stewards to solve access issues on arrival.
Crystal Palace offer Selhurst Park stadium tours on selected dates, giving supporters access to behind-the-scenes areas and the chance to learn more about the club and the ground. The club has advertised tours as running on select days, with standard tours lasting around 90 minutes and accessible tours around 60 minutes.
However, Crystal Palace have also stated that stadium tours will not run beyond 3 May 2026 because of the Main Stand redevelopment. For the 2026/27 season, supporters should therefore check the official club website before planning a visit, as regular public tours may be paused or unavailable while redevelopment work affects the stadium.
Large South London park famous for the Crystal Palace dinosaurs, open space and sports history. A good local attraction if you are in the area before heading to Selhurst Park.
Food, drink and event space beside East Croydon station. Useful if you are using Croydon as a base before travelling to Selhurst, Thornton Heath or Norwood Junction.
Museum and gardens in South London, useful for supporters making a longer day of a Crystal Palace away trip. Allow onward travel time to Selhurst Park.
Official Crystal Palace ticketing page for match tickets, membership sales, hospitality, accessibility information and fixture-specific ticket updates.
Official website for Crystal Palace. Useful for tickets, travel updates, accessibility information, stadium rules and matchday announcements.
Useful starting point for information about Selhurst Park, including visitor details, stadium facilities and matchday guidance where available.