Crystal Palace is planning to make extensive improvements to its home stadium in the near future. Selhurst Park dates back 100 years ago to construction in 1924. The South London club previously renovated the historic arena several times in recent decades. Nevertheless, plans to drastically improve the stadium have been in the works for years now.



<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/crystal-palace-tv-schedule/">Palace</a> officials announced in 2018 that a $130 million development plan for Selhurst Park was in place. This proposal, however, eventually experienced several delays. The COVID-19 pandemic created issues for most clubs, including Palace. Similar demolitions of several houses in the area further put the plans on hold.



With these problems now out of the way, Palace officials can now work on upgrading the stadium. Alterations are expected to see the total seating capacity go from nearly 26,000 to 34,000. At the moment, only three other <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/">Premier League</a> teams have smaller arenas than Palace. Newly promoted <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/ipswich-town-tv-schedule/">Ipswich Town</a> even has a bigger home stadium than the Eagles.



A large chunk of this increase in capacity will be gained by adding seats in the arena’s main stand. Other improvements will also help boost attendance as well. This includes creating more corporate boxes and enhancing the arena’s current disabled access area. 



<h2>Selhurst Park expansion due as fans continuously fill home stadium</h2>



Because plans suffered such long delays, the project will now cost Palace closer to $200 million. The club, however, will be able to play at Selhurst Park during the upcoming renovations. As the Eagles have become a mainstay in the Premier League, attendance has regularly reached capacity in recent years. Fans nearly filled the arena to its maximum capacity during the club’s opening home match of the 2024/25 season.



Palace chairman Steve Parish previously explained plans for the alterations at Selhurst Park back in 2022. “We would have liked to have started the project sooner, but our plans were delayed by financial constraints caused by the COVID pandemic,” <a href="https://www.cpfc.co.uk/crystal-palace-main-stand-redevelopment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stated</a> Parish.



“In the last couple of years, our focus has been on bringing our exciting academy development to fruition, but our attention will now turn to the stadium project.”



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“It has long been our ambition to extend and modernize Selhurst Park, making it a home fit for the 21st century. We are looking forward to getting started on the project. There is a lot of preparatory work to be done in the coming months and we will update on a likely timetable in due course.”



<h2>Plans come as Palace co-owner tries to sell his shares</h2>



Although it has taken two extra years, the plans are now finally in place. Selhurst Park is, however, not the only area set for changes at the club. John Textor has been attempting to sell his 45% stock in the club for months now. The American billionaire wants to offload his minority shares of the Eagles to fully purchase <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/everton-tv-schedule/">Everton</a>. 



Textor was in <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/textor-expected-to-complete-everton-purchase-in-coming-days/">advanced negotiations</a> to buy the Toffees from embattled owner Farhad Moshiri. Investors cannot own pieces of multiple English top-flight teams. As a result, Textor must sell his shares in Palace to officially complete a takeover at Everton. It remains unclear if the pending deals could potentially delay plans with Selhurst Park once again.



PHOTOS: IMAGO.

Selhurst Park expansion to cost Crystal Palace $200 million

Crystal Palace is planning to make extensive improvements to Selhurst Park in the near future as ownership changes are expected.

The 2023 Greek Cup Final could be set to be played outside of the Mediterranean country due to concerns over fan safety. According to the <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-12075757/Crystal-Palace-open-hosting-Greek-Cup-final-despite-fears-ultra-fan-clashes.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Daily Mail</a>, the Greek Football Association is apparently frantically searching for a venue to host the game. AEK Athens and PAOK will feature in the match after advancing through the knockout stages. 



The two clubs have a long contentious history, as the matchup is referred to as the Double-Headed Eagles Derby. This is a reference to the teams use of a double-headed eagle as their emblems. AEK’s logo features the eagle in yellow and black. PAOK, on the other hand, have the emblem in traditional black and white colors.



<h5>PAOK president previously interrupted match with gun</h5>



In one of the derby’s most infamous incidents, PAOK club president Ivan Savvidis ran on to the pitch with a gun during a 2018 matchup. Savvidis was apparently furious after Fernando Varela’s goal was disallowed late in the game. The fixture was eventually abandoned after the AEK players refused to continue play as they feared for their safety.



Police were then involved a year later during the 2019 Greek Cup Final. The cops used batons on disruptive fans near of the stadium. PAOK went on to win the trophy. However, the match was played behind closed doors to prevent any incidents inside the stadium.



<h2>Crystal Palace chairman open to hosting Greek Cup Final</h2>



Despite concerns, the Sun has claimed that Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish is receptive to hosting the fixture at his club’s arena. Selhurst Park is located in south London and has a maximum capacity of just over 25,000 fans. The Eagles have three games remaining on their schedule, two of these will be at home.



Nevertheless, the upcoming Greek Cup Final would not interfere with Palace’s current home fixture list. The AEK-PAOK matchup is set for May 24. The <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Premier League</a> side’s final two home games are on May 13 and May 28.



Another option could be to play the game behind closed doors. Cyprus turned down hosting duties with public safety in mind. Then, reports emerged the game may be simply <a href="https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/greek-cup-final-be-held-greece-without-fans-greek-fa-2023-05-12/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">without supporters in attendance</a>.



PHOTO: IMAGO / Action Plus

Premier League side Crystal Palace my be set to host the upcoming Greek Cup Final in south London between AEK Athens and PAOK.

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Selhurst Park expansion to cost Crystal Palace $200 million

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Crystal Palace may host 2023 Greek Cup Final