Palace target £900m valuation as stadium funding search continues

Crystal Palace’s owners have appointed Raine Group to explore fresh investment or a potential sale at a £900m valuation, according to City AM, as they seek funding to complete the expansion of Selhurst Park.The proposed valuation is more than twice the figure implied by Woody Johnson’s purchase of a 43% stake for a reported £190m in July 2025, with sources close to the club indicating that securing investment remains the preferred outcome.Palace chairman Steve Parish recently outlined the stadium financing position, saying: “We’re looking at different ways of funding, but that will be in place. We’re working with people on that, talking to the banks. It’s more managing the construction, processing inflation and trying to reduce some costs.“But the reason that everybody hasn’t got a shiny new stadium is that the money will always go to the team. We spent on the team, which is the more recent reason that it isn’t fully going on.”Johnson and fellow shareholders Josh Harris, David Blitzer and Parish are understood to believe that rising sports asset valuations, the limited availability of London Premier League clubs and Palace’s recent European success support the asking price.The appointment gives Raine another prominent football mandate, following its involvement in transactions at Chelsea and Manchester United, although Palace have declined to comment on the reported valuation or investment process.The search for capital places the stadium project at the centre of the club’s ownership discussions, with plans for a new glass-fronted main stand and an increase in capacity from approximately 25,000 to 34,000 first announced in 2017.Construction inflation and spending on the squad have complicated the financing, with Parish acknowledging that the full funding package has yet to be secured despite continuing discussions with banks and other potential funding partners.Palace’s commercial proposition has strengthened following their 2025 FA Cup victory and subsequent Conference League success, with the club now competing in the Europa League for the first time.The £900m figure nevertheless represents an asking valuation rather than an agreed transaction price, while the options being considered leave room for additional investment without a complete change of ownership.The club have also invested in their training and academy facilities in Beckenham and agreed to acquire a neighbouring 27-acre HSBC site, providing scope for further development alongside the stadium expansion.Any new capital would therefore arrive as Palace balance several infrastructure commitments, with completing the Selhurst Park funding package remaining a priority alongside maintaining investment in the team.