Palace seek funding as Selhurst Park stand costs rise

Crystal Palace are in talks with banks and other potential funding partners for their Selhurst Park Main Stand redevelopment as rising construction costs force the club to examine changes to the design.Chairman Steve Parish said financing for the project had yet to be finalised, while maintaining that the club intend to press ahead with a new stand that would lift stadium capacity from around 26,000 to more than 34,000.Parish told The Athletic: “We’re looking at different ways of funding, but that will be in place.”The project’s estimated cost has risen from £75 million when the plans were unveiled in 2017 to more than £200 million, with Parish identifying building materials as the principal pressure.Palace are reviewing facade materials and considering limited design changes to reduce costs, although some alterations could require further approval from Croydon Council.Parish said: “The material cost is the big issue.”The club have already carried out preparatory work, including the acquisition and demolition of six houses on Wooderson Close to create space beside the existing ground.Palace’s plans provide for a 13,500 seat Main Stand in place of the current 5,200 seat structure, alongside additional general admission seats, hospitality facilities, improved accessibility and a club museum.Those facilities are central to the commercial case for the investment, with the larger capacity and premium spaces intended to increase the club’s ability to earn income at Selhurst Park.Parish acknowledged that spending on the playing squad had taken priority at times and said the restricted site had added to the difficulty of delivering construction while the stadium remains in use.He wants piling work to begin this season if possible, but the timetable depends on finalising financing, managing costs and completing the next stage of the build.Palace have previously confirmed that they are discussing minor amendments to their approved plans with local residents and Croydon Council.The immediate challenge is therefore to convert the work already completed around Selhurst Park into a fully funded construction programme without losing the additional capacity and facilities that underpin the project’s long-term value.