Crystal Palace F.C.

Crystal Palace Football Club, known simply as Palace, is a professional football club based in Selhurst, South London, competing in the Premier League. Founded on September 10, 1905 at the Crystal Palace exhibition building, the club traces its origins back to an amateur side formed in 1861. Initially playing home games at the FA Cup Final stadium within the exhibition grounds, they moved to Selhurst Park in 1924. Palace joined the Football League in 1920 and have largely remained in the top two tiers since the 1960s.

The late 1980s and early 1990s marked a golden era: they reached the 1990 FA Cup final, challenged for the league title in 1990-91 (finishing third), and became founder members of the Premier League in 1992-93. However, relegation in 1998 triggered financial crises, including two administrations in 1999 and 2010. Since returning to the Premier League in 2013, Palace have enjoyed sustained top-flight success, setting a club record of fourteen consecutive seasons. They reached FA Cup finals in 2016 and 2025, winning the latter for their first major trophy, followed by the FA Community Shield and the 2025-26 UEFA Conference League.

The club's colors shifted from claret and blue to red and blue vertical stripes in 1973. Palace maintains fierce rivalries with Brighton & Hove Albion, Millwall, and Charlton Athletic. The fans are known for their passionate support, and the club's motto is "The Pride of South London". [edit]

The club was founded on September 10, 1905 at the Crystal Palace exhibition building in South London, where the FA Cup final was traditionally held. They played their early home matches at the exhibition stadium, wearing claret and blue kits. Palace joined the Football League Second Division in 1920, but financial difficulties forced them to move to Selhurst Park in 1924. The 1920s and 1930s saw Palace yo-yo between divisions, with their highest finish being second in the Second Division in 1960-61, earning promotion to the First Division for the first time.

The late 1980s under manager Steve Coppell brought a resurgence. Palace reached the 1990 FA Cup final, losing 1-0 to Manchester United in a replay. The following season they finished third in the old First Division, their highest league finish to date. They were founder members of the Premier League in 1992-93 but were relegated in 1995. After bouncing back, they were relegated again in 1998, triggering financial collapse. The club entered administration in 1999 and again in 2010, but survived under new ownership.

Promotion back to the Premier League in 2013 via the Championship play-off final began the club's longest run in the top flight. Under managers including Tony Pulis, Alan Pardew, Roy Hodgson, and Patrick Vieira, Palace established themselves as a stable mid-table side. In 2025, under Oliver Glasner, they won the FA Cup for the first time, beating Manchester City 2-1 in the final. They added the Community Shield and then the UEFA Conference League in 2025-26, defeating Rayo Vallecano 1-0 in the final on May 27, 2026. [edit]