Crystal Palace National Sports Centre

Positive experience: Very sad to see the degrading building , dull, fall apart, but still survive to open to the public

Positive experience: Good here for swimming and basketball

Fantastic experience: The running track is amazing and very spacious. But it can be quite confusing finding the correct way to get in the actual entrance

Negative experience: Equipment leave broken for weeks, often several machines at a time. The pool has been empty for years, drinking fountain in the gym left broken for weeks, changing rooms are disgusting and they charge £45 per month! Disgraceful. Just cancelled my membership for the 2nd time in a few years and don't think I'll be going back this time. It just feels like they're stealing from you and don't care

Negative experience: If I could give it a zero, I would. I took my 18 months old soon for a swim today and it was simply awful. The lift was broken, there was no heating whatsoever (changing room or pool area) and we were both shivering, even the water was cold. The whole place looks filthy, not to mention the actual pool: black and dirty bits in the corners, rust, mould. How is it possible that this place is open to the public?! Please, do not go if you care about your health and safety.

Positive experience: We went for a NJPW show so can only review it as a wrestling venue. We waited quite a while to get in but they were bag checking everyone so it took a while. You get a good view due to so much tiered seating but the seating itself is so utterly uncomfortable, ESPECIALLY on the side that is just long benches. You have no space and you will end up with someone's knees in your back. Show was good though.

Positive experience: Decent venue. Rubbish food. Not much parking.

Negative experience: It s a shame this sports centre is so run down. The 50 m pool looks great on paper, 8 lanes etc ,,, problem is they are rented out at the week ends to schools and clubs so us meer mortals have to battle it out in 4 lanes max then the showers / changing rooms ... my goodness - insufficient in number, dirty, cold - If you are lucky, the hairdryers work ( last week end only 1 was working for a changing room with about 40 lockers - you do the maths ... ) Insufficient parking spaces so people end up parking on the grass of the park all this for the princely sum of over 5 pounds ! It s a shame, the reality compared to what is advertised is just worlds apart. Just be very aware - oh and don t forget to bring 20 p for the locker - which you won t get back

Fantastic experience: Big place, busy café with decent food options, toilets bit smelly and pool doesn't work, but lots of other facilities.

Fantastic experience: Should definitely have Elevation and Reincarnation back to hold hardcore all night parties!

Fantastic experience: Massive sports complex with friendly and supportive staff. Plenty of space and sports. Advanced booking is required due to high demand

Negative experience: Putting aside the history of the centre I will share my experience. My daughter is 7 and my ex wife has arranged a late day at work and arranged that I pick her up from school. My daughter plays tennis at Newham when she visits me every other weekend but I wanted to keep it going during the week so I booked red stage tennis group course with better at crystal palace sports centre. The course started last weeks lesson was cancelled via email which is fine because I could not take her that day anyway. So we turned up today and found out that we've been sold a lesson/course that does not exist and having I not shown up I would have not known. Apparently the website was wrong or something. Normally I would not be bothered but I was bothered that my daughter was looking forward to it and was pretty disappointed. I have been trying to get her into an active sport for exercise and I seem to be winning with tennis and she's really engaged currently. Anyway I asked for a refund which I hope comes soon and I will check with LTA or club sparks instead. It's a shame I really like crystal palace sports centre and was quite happy my daughter would have been able to go there like some of her sporty aunt's and uncles who did athletics there years ago. Kind of a family tradition.

Negative experience: In desperate need of investment. Gym is falling apart. Aside from investment needed the gym is almost always dirty. Sand on gym mats and have never seen a member of staff clean them. Please improve it as it has so much potential.

Positive experience: Richard Rodrigues5D South Thames College Morden SM4 Richard Rodrigues5D South Thames College South Thames College Morden Crystal Palace To Highbury and Islington To Stratford Station Swimming Pool Crystal Palace Swimming Pool West Croydon Swimming Pool Peckham Pulse Swimming Pool Elephant And Castle Swimming Pool Tooting Broadway Swimming Pool Morden SM4 Richard South Thames College Tooting South Thames College Wandsworth South Thames College Morden 36 To Queen's Park Richard Rodrigues5D National Express Coaches A6 Richard Rodrigues5D

Positive experience: New soft play over 3 levels great for 1 yes to 10 years. Kids had a great time and made new friends for the hour, not rushed to leave immediately. Cafe serving hot and cold drinks light meals and snaack. Toilets accessible and clean. Bit more expensive than other Better soft plays, but a must try!

Negative experience: Most of the gym equipment is old and crusty and very hard to adjust. The free weights area is very small with only a few benches, and the weights are very disorganised. It is also extremely loud with music that turns on and off randomly which is rather annoying. For £38 a month for a student membership I would expect better.

Negative experience: I tried to book a swim here. The payment was taken three times according to my bank statement. No one answers the phone, I’ve had to request a refund online. Avoid.

Positive experience: It wasn't open inside, but I saw people playing volleyball outside.

Negative experience: I took my son here for a family swim session and it’s a small pool which looked quite dirty and depressing. There were inflatables and it only cost £2 for me and my son however I would not come here again nor recommend taking your kids here to swim.

Positive experience: This place is massive, loads of free parking for customers. Great facilities and availability is positive when we need to make bookings. Some parts of the business needs money just to update cosmetically but still a good venue.

Negative experience: I had a bad impression. The area around is completely messy . The track facilities are amazing, despite the poor maintenance . I been there for my motorbike riding lessons. (Phoenix)

Fantastic experience: The Crystal Palace National Sports Centre, situated in the heart of Crystal Palace Park in South London, is a historic and multifaceted sports facility that has served the community since its opening in 1964. The Centre is renowned for its comprehensive range of amenities, catering to a wide array of sports and fitness activities. The architecture of the complex itself is impressive, with its iconic structure standing as a testament to mid-20th-century design. The facilities include an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a diving pool, indoor and outdoor athletics tracks, a football stadium, and extensive gym and fitness areas. For swimming enthusiasts, the Olympic pool is a major highlight, offering ample lanes for both casual and competitive swimming. The diving pool, with platforms of varying heights, supports diving practices and competitions, appealing to both amateur divers and seasoned athletes. Track and field athletes benefit from the state-of-the-art indoor and outdoor tracks, which are well-maintained and suitable for both training and competitions. The outdoor track, set against the backdrop of the picturesque Crystal Palace Park, offers an inspiring environment for athletes. The gym and fitness facilities are extensive, featuring modern equipment that accommodates a range of fitness regimes. From weight training to cardio exercises, the Centre provides resources for both beginners and advanced fitness enthusiasts. Additionally, the availability of classes such as yoga, pilates, and high-intensity interval training ensures that users can find activities that suit their preferences and fitness goals. The Crystal Palace National Sports Centre also hosts various sporting events throughout the year, from local competitions to international meets, making it a vibrant hub for sports enthusiasts.

Negative experience: I didn't enjoy my 2 hour badminton session because of the natural light/sun shining through.

Negative experience: Looks awful and in major need of updating....drab, full of dirty unpainted concrete and on the way from the station there is an awful smell like I've never smelt before, like something rotting and stagnant water mixed....makes you want to heave

Positive experience: I attended the HoopsFix tournament! The sports centre is in much need of a full refurbishment as a majority of the facilities were below par!

Fantastic experience: They are clearly doing the place up at the moment but it is such an inspiring place to visit with all the different sport activities going on.

Negative experience: I haven’t visited in many many years last time visited and stayed for a few days was on a school trip with my primary school back in 1995/1996 and looking at the photos hasn’t changed a bit such a shame

Negative experience: The place is rundown. Very sad as it is obvious the upkeep of the building is neglect. There are building works going on in areas. I believe the pool has been closed since covid, so sad. This was a building formerly for Olympians.

Negative experience: This place is an absolute hole and they should pay you to swim there, not the other way round. The whole place is filthy, run down and neglected, including the pool which is also too shallow even for 4ft10 me. It's poorly lit, the only toilet door doesn't even lock and there is nowhere private to change. I luckily have a membership and usually swim at Forest Hill so I'm not out of pocket, but I'd be fuming if I'd paid to swim here and was met with this!

Positive experience: Need to get the blinds sorted out around the netball Court. Sun was blinding and we couldn't see all the play.

Positive experience: Getting a bit run down but still some decent facilities available.

Negative experience: In London in 2024 it's such a shame that we have an uncared, yet still very popular sport facility building. The main pool has been closed since end of lockdown. The smaller pool isnt looking good either, not to mention the changing room is really bad. In the female changing room next to the 90 cm pool one shower is broken, the toilet can't be locked (be relaxed and easy going in case someone will open it while you are using the loo, plus there is a big hole on the door where the door handle should be) just let's hope there isn't a Peeping tom around when you visit the place Ceiling + walls are peeling off. The question is how such a famous building could get into such a devastated state. It's sad to see letting it rotten. The pools need a big improvement, the looking of the building needs an update etc.

Negative experience: If you’re planning to visit the sports centre for swimming, I highly recommend you don’t go. The training pool, which is the only one that’s open, it’s dirty and shallow. Changing rooms are dirty, crumbling walls and excessive dump, showers are not working - couldn’t take a shower after swimming! I hope that they’ll refurbish it soon! Such a shame that the place is not fit for purpose.

Negative experience: Used to come here a lot to play squash. The squash courts need a total refurbishment - cracks and holes in the wall + dirty walls and floor. Main pool is also closed.

Negative experience: This pool should not be open when the showers are not working as was the case today The training pool is hopelessly too shallow with high ends..changing rooms poor and cold by far the worst pool of the 64 i have visited within M25 this winter. Let hope things improve when or if the main pool reopens!

Fantastic experience: Very nice with natural feel .

Negative experience: Pool is not fit for purpose. No water in the changing rooms. No showers. 50m pool does not exist. Training pool very old. Not a good building.

Fantastic experience: Great place to watch some amazing events. There is plenty of space for parking near the centre. And the centre is really well accommodating for sports.

Positive experience: Went to a cage boxing event. This place requires a good clean up as it is looking rundown. The event was not bad drinks and food very expensive.

Fantastic experience: Very big hall, many different sport activities, only downside was no refill of soap, luckily I had with me

Negative experience: Shockingly dirty and strong smelling leisure center. Filthy floors, barely any showers work, lockers don't lock, changing room locks are broken. Pool stinks of chlorine yet everywhere is grimey. Asked for a £2 refund because it wasn't even worth it. Didn't swim because I value my life. Such a shame because it has potential

Positive experience: Went here as my son's practice was in the dome, but go here for swimming sometimes also. Can get a bit lost as inside sign posting not the greatest but always have a good time here

Fantastic experience: The second time at the venue, the exact same result! Excellent personally intimate venue, Great action watching some British wrestling #RevPro!

Positive experience: I visited today to support the grass roots football community youngsters. The Sunday morning provisions were basic to the extreme, but what was provided was good, in terms of the all weather playing area. Consideration should also have been given to disabled spectators and parents.

Negative experience: The building is falling down. The training pool is filled with algae. There's a cold breeze down the far end of the pool. A gym session was offered to me for £14!! Its like swimming in 1970's Russia.. Dont go..

Positive experience: I normally only go here to see MMA events. I've seen 3 of the Contender Events and 1 for FightStar Championship. It's my favourite place to come and watch MMA and I've seen it all over. The facilities are always clean and the staff are always polite. It would be a little better lit on the way down as it's in the middle of a field but I guess the lack of street lights that's not massively due to the sports center decision. Overall I really enjoy my times coming here and will be returning many more times hopefully

Fantastic experience: Great place, I loved the event!

Negative experience: If I could give a 0 I would… the worst hockey facilities I’ve ever seen, pretty sure it’s a health hazard in more ways than one. I’m sure many decades ago the place was state of the art, but now it is just dreadful. 1. No changing facilities for the pitch. Other toilet facilities in the centre are pretty rank. 2. Very old hard surface which is like playing in concrete covered in sand and glass. When it rains it just floods the pitch. Or the sand just clumps together with the glass to make a lovely paste. 3. Buildings surrounding the pitch look abandoned and are in states of disrepair, which you have to walk through to get to the pitch (bit like a dark maze). 4. Once ventured to the toilets under the stadium next to the pitch. Looked like something from a horror film. 5. Badly lit at night on the pitch and feels pretty unsafe when you leave down dark passageways.

Negative experience: I go to the pool at the sports centre weekly, and whilst it's a pain only being able to use the small and shallow training pool, I can generally forgive that I can walk around the pool on my knees, that only three showers out of the six ever seem to work, and how generally decrepit and depressing the whole place is, because I've assumed that at some point Better or Bromley Council will do something about it and it's the only pool within short-ish distance of my home. Today however, they again did not have enough lifeguards to staff the teaching and training pools, so they tried to squeeze three swimming lanes, a baby swimming class, individual swimming lessons and the family swim all into the training pool. It was a ridiculous and stressful experience, and i'll be asking for a refund for the session.

Negative experience: I’ve been a member on and off for the past 8/10 years. It used to be pretty good and plenty of life in the building with all the activities involved. However it now has a completely different feel. The pools are empty of water and the courts seem to be closed. The iPod room has been dismantled and is now locked. This leave you with the same large gym space as always which is ok, but just ok! I remember a couple of months ago in the iPod room, when it was open most of the machines were switched off, broken or falling apart. It actually feels as if they are on the verge of closing down. Such a shame as it used to be good. The other thing is they want to charge you £46.50 a month for it which is totally out of order given the facilities they are currently offering. They don’t even have soap in the toilets anymore, it’s finished this place. I’ll be handing my membership back in the coming weeks.

Negative experience: It was absolutely rancid. It lacks investment. They swimming pools had algea and clearly not been cleaned in months. The changing rooms were rancid. It desperately need refurbishment and funding. Is an absolute shame that such a building would be allowed to go to waste..

Fantastic experience: Has a rather dilapidated appearance but still retains some olde world charm. Must have been quite something in its day. Let’s hope it gets restored and preserved.

Negative experience: Big swimming pool from photos is closed. Ended up in a tiny kids swimming pool. No warning during booking. It’s not written anywhere that this is not the same pool.

Fantastic experience: Desperately needs the money for renovation and could be amazing again

Negative experience: Under invested. I think that tells you almost everything you need to know about the facilities and service level here. The Forrest Hill Better gym is much better. I haven’t regretted the move despite it taking an additional 45 mins to get to the gym.

Positive experience: The building is wonderful and there is always several events going on in and around the venue. Just wanted to say that the club that runs from the beach volleyball courts, Deep Dish, are absolutely wonderful and have always supported my brother to the best of their ability, highly recommend them.

Negative experience: This place feels like it was abandoned 20 years ago and you've broken in to use it. Everything is gross, old and yellowing. The indoor running track looked like it could host a scene from silent witness and the pool was rank, shallow and warm don't recommend x

Negative experience: A great venue, with great facilities.unfortunately they all suffer from under investment and lack of upkeep. Another example of Sadiq Khans’s inability

Positive experience: Good range facilities and easy to book. Bookings occasionally cancelled and the indoor courts can get unpleasantly warm without air conditioning

Positive experience: Went here for swimming and finding the pool was a chore because there were no signs pointing to it. Changing room's stunk and the locker kept my trolley token

Fantastic experience: Love this space. So much going on in the summer months.

Negative experience: We had been at an event in the park and only visited to be nosy. I used to live closer to the venue and would bring my young son to watch events and swim. It is so sad to see the place now. It has got very run down and could do with a good overhaul. The diving pool and main pool have no water in them and look awful. The cafe wasn't open so I am unable to comment on that, and the toilets were reasonably clean but quite smelly. The bins needed to be emptied. The council really needs to invest some money here as it is a great venue and would, I'm sure, be well utilised if facilities were up to scratch.

Positive experience: Went for sporting activity. So sad to see parts of this once great stadium run down so bad.(main stadium) The rest room facilities not up to standard too. Hope this place will be regenerated and raised back up to honor all the great athletes that graced that place before.

Negative experience: Use the gym it's great and pretty clean....but I've now got mixed feelings as last week i went to a football game with my son and the toilets available were like a horror scene. There was a lot of algae and the smell was very displeasing . The post apocalyptic feel was kinda like a movie but I don't imagine in any way what was intended.

Fantastic experience: Been on London Lions match , it was amazing , staff helpful, decent prices on food .

Negative experience: Attended CPNSC for adult swim lessons. Albeit, the lessons were actually fun and there was a nice group of adults trying to learn how to swim, the facilities are atrocious and recently became very unwell with Meningitis due to the pool water here. I will not recommend.

Positive experience: Pretty nice place, great for fight events!

Positive experience: I have been to this stadium many times, for BJJ tournaments and most recently MMA cage fight. It's old looking but never disappoints with the entertainment it provides

Positive experience: The badminton courts were ok and not in a very good state. We were expecting much better. They are quite worn out and towards end of their shelf life and are in urgent need of renovation

Positive experience: Gym area is well equipped. Changing rooms are not very clean. The general building is potentially magnificent but has been degraded with years of minimal maintenance.

Positive experience: We take our daughter swimming here. It is a great class with some fun activities and song and really encourages babies into water. The teacher is lovely and really enjoys seeing them as you climb down safely into the pool. This particular sports centre has an amazing history as a previous commonwealth games host, though it’s features would benefit from some greater love and care. Security is nowhere near where it should be for a sports centre and whilst the trust level is highly commendable I could canter in without challenge which for me seems slightly amiss. I hope they have invested in excellent CCTV as they do not spend money on the lift which has appeared in disrepair for past a month. I think this is unacceptable when it is a key mobility feature for people young and old. Please arrange a fix here and this venue has all the space and facilities to be a leader in the sports and recreation facilities available to the general public. I could mark down further but there are two genuine lost stars here though.

Negative experience: Perfect if you feel like stepping back in time and don't possess a working time machine. Zero investment has been made to this place in years. Locked toilets. Holes in fences that allow dogs to run onto pitches. Poor signage. Closed shower facilities. Nothing about this place has any redeeming qualities.

Negative experience: This place has so much potential but badly needs some TLC. The 50m pool and diving pool are out of action. I’ve only used the 25m training pool. The facilities in general feel dated and run down. It’s managed by Better, with all the issues this entails. Staff are generally helpful and friendly in my experience. Best thing is the price, if you get the right timing, it’s £3.50, all booked through Better’s app.

Negative experience: Went for a swimming lesson. The teachers were nice but not on the same page and the actual facility is just gross. Old, dirty and falling apart. Paid for a month but won’t be going back.

Positive experience: I competed in a Weightlifting competition at the excellent club which is on the side of the NSC. The park is excellent to walk around. However, years of underinvestment has meant a continuing decline in the facility. The pool is empty now and the corridors that once teemed with athletes from many different sports are quiet.

Negative experience: A big MMA show (Fightstarchampionship 23) got cancelled last minute because this venue was deemed ‘unsafe’ to host the event. Like how can this happen!!!

Negative experience: A wonderful facility for London, sadly being allowed to fall down. Please support it and help its restoration. Fifty metre and diving pools remain empty. Faulty towers on athletics track have been removed. Will they be replaced?

Fantastic experience: What wonderful staff and amazing facilities…. We also wish that the pool would reopen ❤️

Negative experience: Awful pool. Tried this pool recently out of desparation but should have saved myself the time and money. Its truly disgusting. Couldn't bring myself to get in so just left. It's a run down centre with a horrible pool hidden deep in the basement.

Positive experience: Great building, a wide range of facilities in various rates of disrepair, and a criminally neglected pool. I don't know if the issue lies with Better or the GLA but they need to get it fixed!!

Negative experience: Sunday 9.10 in the morning at the gymnastics session with a granddaughter. Only 4 chairs available for waiting parents, grandparents. Coffee from the coffee bar contained hardly any coffee at all, however another shot was added when requested. Toilets in a bad state, the seat in the disabled toiled hardly fitting. The whole complex is run down and unloved, what a shame.

Negative experience: Think twice if you're thinking of going to an event here and don't drive. Their website says the venue is an 8 minute walk from the closest bus stop - possibly if you're Usain Bolt, but it took me an awful lot longer than that. As for leaving the venue after an event, you'll be doing a lot of walking over uneven ground in an area that (for the most part) is poorly lit with negligible signage.

Negative experience: Really needs investment unfortunately. The 50m pool has been shut for years. The 25m pool is rather grim, very tired facilities, paint coming off the walls. The 25m pool barely had any water in it. Don't think I'd return for swimming, try Streatham instead.

Positive experience: Lovely gym, but sadly I only sign up to visit here during the summer months because as a woman I honeslty don't feel safe walking from Crystal Palace station to the sports hall where the route is quite poorly lit. I might stay a full year if they sort this out, from various routes to the sports centre. I've spoken to other women about this and they agree and therefore don't go to this gym all together...

Negative experience: Staff is not helpful. Take special attention to Junior membership, not all limitations are on T&C nor does site explain how kids have specific times both during school term and school breaks.

Positive experience: My son attends swimming lessons here on Saturday morning. I always get parking. The lessons are decent and it meant he could go into the big pool while we were on holiday. He used to be afraid of water but now he asks to go swimming.

Negative experience: This place is a dump, toilets are filthy, air conditioning is faulty, swimming pool not functional. Management should be sacked. This is a community sports centres selling drinks that should be under £1 for £2.50+ bloody ridiculous. Also Ice cream can that stops outside sold me 3 slush puppies and 2 cokes for £17 That's bloody ridiculous.

Positive experience: Very welcoming receptionist and loved the vibe, however the swimming pool has been empty for a while and kids are eager to come. Overall seems very nostalgic and may need some upgrading.

Negative experience: I've been a user for six or seven years. Everything is falling apart since the pandemic. The 50 meters swimming pool has been closed for more than two years. The customer management is awful. The payment system is not practical at all, you always have to enter basic information to book an activity. Showers are in a poor state. Something must be done.

Negative experience: Very poor experience today at the pool. There were more people in the slow lane than the medium so we moved across there. When doing breaststroke my wife was a little slow and so when Sammy the pool attendant, asked us to move back we did. However,  soon afterwards a couple of people arrived and joined the slow lane, and a couple left the medium lane. So now there was only one person swimming in the medium lane, but 5 in the slow lane which was a little crowded. When doing front crawl my wife swims faster than her breaststroke, so we moved back to the medium lane. However,  Sammy would not have any of it and insisted that my wife move back to the slow lane, even though she was faster than some people in it, and actually at least as fast as the only person in the medium lane. As well as not applying any common sense or flexibility in her assessment of the situation, Sammy was so determined to assert her authority that she was downright rude. Needless to say we won't be going back.

Positive experience: Once they refill the pool this will be great. The squash and badminton facilities are good. Am thinking to try the sand beach volleyball courts at some point too.

Positive experience: Really big place and good facilities. However, not suitable for a country to use as a training centre, it has been used for that in the past. Looks run down and needs revitalising.

Negative experience: The pool is absolutely disgusting. I kept having a feeling like I was trapped in a nightmare. The pool is dingy and in the basement and both that and the changing rooms are filthy. It was also really expensive when compared to other local pools. Don't go.

Positive experience: Great day for walking with a friend followed by coffee and lunch in the cafe. Toilet facilities not always the best in some parts of the grounds. Vanilla chai latte to die for...mmmmmhhh.

Positive experience: The place is ok, lots of sports opportunities, but the building is very tired, needs a good tidy up.

Negative experience: Swimming here has been a really sad experience. The infrastructure must have been outstanding back in the days but this sport center is completely run down. Everything is falling apart and in need of serious repairs. The main pools are closed with no sign of being worked on. The only swimming pool still open has terribly hot and shallow water (0.9m). Some of the other sports seem to be in better conditions but the whole place has a sad decadent feeling.

Negative experience: The class instructors are great but the reception staff are very rude and not willing to be helpful. Facilities are pretty run down and signage around the building is poor, do people are often late for classes.

Positive experience: Ah Crystal not so Palace... this could be a very nice place to visit but it seems to be falling in to disrepair faster than it can be preserved. We walked around the whole place whilst Geocaching and learned a lot while doing the adventure lab cache that was about the racing circuit that once stood proud here. Big downer is the mess left by the undesirable junkies and winos oh and not forgetting that hideously oversized 5G? mast that screams when the wind blows through it. We will return tho on a warmer dry day as we came the day after storm Eunice did her worst...

Positive experience: I attend every Thursday for Ti Chi. It's a tragedy the way the centre is being it seem deliberately run down. The pools are out of use,most of the centre is in disrepair. It's just not good enough the children of Lambeth Croydon and Bromley urgently need this facility. Even more so now, after the effects of Covid.

Fantastic experience: Came to play beach volleyball and it was very organized and sunny. Usually you can’t find a cafe at sports centers like this, the barista was lovely. Would definitely come back!