Can a listed sports venue go fully green?
In the 1981 film Chariots of Fire, British runners trained against the wind on an old English track, chasing something larger than medals — legacy. At the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre, a similar challenge is now underway: updating a historic venue for a new era, without leaving its past behind.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, unveiled on May 22 new images and confirmed details of a major redevelopment of the Crystal Palace site.
A key feature of the upgrade is a full transition to electric energy, supported by £23 million from the Mayor’s Green Finance Fund. This will remove the site’s dependency on fossil fuels for the first time in its 60-year history.
Opened in 1964, the Grade II* listed venue has hosted elite events in athletics, swimming, diving and even motor racing. But years of underinvestment have left much of the site in need of significant repair. The new plan includes a full rebuild of the swimming and diving pool structures, upgraded indoor facilities and improvements to the athletics stadium and external pitches.
The appointment of Morgan Sindall Construction to lead the design and build was also announced. The company will begin pre-construction work immediately, including applications for planning and listed building consent. Major works are due to begin in the second half of 2026, with completion expected in 2028.
The complexity of the redevelopment is not only architectural. Working within the constraints of a protected building while meeting modern sustainability targets is a technical and strategic challenge.
“This once-in-a-generation redevelopment of the site will secure its future for decades to come,” said Khan. “We look forward to working closely with partners and the local community to create an outstanding sporting venue as we build a better, healthy London for all.”
Some short-term improvements have already been delivered over the past year. These include repairs to the athletics track, temporary floodlighting, a new café and soft play area, and upgrades to the fitness gym.
The plan is also focused on accessibility. New lifts will be added to improve access across the site, which has previously been difficult to navigate for users with mobility needs.
Richard Dobson, Area Director for London at Morgan Sindall Construction, said: “The Crystal Palace National Sports Centre is an iconic facility that’s not only close to the hearts of people in the area but is also an important historic national sporting landmark.”
The funding and focus on sustainable infrastructure also reflect wider changes in how sport venues are evaluated. Increasingly, public and private funders are looking for climate-aware investment strategies that deliver measurable social and environmental outcomes.
Liam Conlon, MP for Beckenham and Penge, called the centre the “spiritual home of UK athletics,” noting its legacy includes 19 world records. He said the reopening of the Olympic-sized pool and refurbished athletics facilities will benefit both elite athletes and local residents.
Councillors Ruth McGregor and Ryan Thomson welcomed the redevelopment, highlighting the importance of the centre for families and young people in the area.
The project is being procured through the Southern Construction Framework, and planning documents are expected to be submitted later this year.
For now, the images shared by the Mayor offer a vision of the future: a site where heritage architecture and sustainable energy can exist side by side — not only for show, but for sport.