London City Lionesses Explore Crystal Palace National Sports Centre Move in Ambitious Growth Plans

London City Lionesses are exploring the possibility of hosting matches at the National Sports Centre (NSC) stadium in Crystal Palace Park following discussions with the Mayor of London’s office according to reports in The Athletic.

While no agreement has been reached and talks remain at an early stage, discussions are ongoing regarding a potential move to the historic venue on Sydenham Hill in south London.

The NSC stadium could significantly increase the club’s matchday capacity, accommodating approximately 15,500 spectators compared with the 6,000 capacity at Hayes Lane, the current home of the Lionesses and Bromley FC.

During their first Women's Super League season, London City recorded a highest attendance of 5,414 for a 2-0 defeat against Arsenal, while average crowds stood at around 3,000 after relocating to Hayes Lane ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.

The club, which forms part of businesswoman Michele Kang’s multi-club football portfolio, has ambitious plans for continued growth. London City Lionesses were established in 2019 following a breakaway from Millwall Lionesses and were acquired by Kang in December 2023.

That ambition was further underlined in September last year when plans for a new training facility in Ditton, Kent, received approval. At the time, the club said the “performance campus will rival that of a men’s Premier League team and be built to specifically meet the needs of women.”

London City have not confirmed the discussions and say they have no knowledge of talks taking place. The Athletic has contacted the Mayor of London’s office for comment.

The National Sports Centre first opened in 1964, with the Jubilee Stand completed in 1977. However, the venue has seen limited investment in recent years and lost its status as London’s leading athletics venue following the 2012 Olympic Games, with the London Stadium in Stratford assuming that role.

The stadium also holds a significant place in football history. It served as the first home of the modern-day Crystal Palace Football Club following its formation in 1905, while the club has explored a return to the site on several occasions, most recently in 2020, before committing to the redevelopment of Selhurst Park.

In 1971, the NSC hosted the first Women’s FA Cup final, where Southampton defeated Stewarton Thistle 4-1 to lift the trophy.

More recently, football returned briefly to the venue in 2020 when Croydon FC temporarily relocated there after the Covid-19 pandemic prevented the club from using Croydon Arena.

Crystal Palace Park has long been associated with major sporting events, with football playing a central role in its history. The FA Cup final was staged within the grounds of the Crystal Palace from 1895 until 1914.

Despite its rich heritage, the NSC stadium has struggled to find a long-term purpose since athletics moved to east London and is widely viewed as being in need of substantial redevelopment.

That may soon change. Following a commitment made by Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan in May 2023, a planning application was submitted in March for the regeneration of the stadium, surrounding sports pitches and the Grade II-listed indoor sports centre, which includes a 50-metre Olympic-sized swimming pool.

A decision on the application is expected in the near future.