Selhurst Park tickets

Best Seating to Leave Quickly After the Game

Some fans need to leave promptly after the final whistle to catch trains or for other commitments. Choosing the right seat significantly impacts your exit time.

Fastest Exits: The Arthur Wait Stand sections nearest to Entrance 4 (blocks R, S, T on the away end) provide the quickest access to Park Road and the exit route towards all three railway stations. From here, the walk to Selhurst or Thornton Heath station takes 10-12 minutes. If you're in these sections and leave right at the final whistle, you can be at Thornton Heath station within 15 minutes.

Main Stand Lower Sections: Seats in the lower rows of the Main Stand near Entrances 1 or 2 allow relatively quick egress onto Whitehorse Lane. This route flows towards Selhurst station (10-minute walk). The Main Stand benefits from a more orderly, less frantic exit process compared to the Holmesdale Road Stand.

Sections to Avoid for Quick Exits: The Holmesdale Road Stand, particularly the lower tier, creates significant congestion at the final whistle as thousands of home fans leave simultaneously through limited exits. Upper tier corners of any stand funnel through narrow stairways, creating bottlenecks. The back rows of the Arthur Wait Stand face the longest walk down to exit level.

Alternative Strategy: Rather than rushing immediately, waiting 15-20 minutes post-game allows crowds to clear substantially. Many fans use this time to visit the restroom, grab a post-game pint (bars remain open for 10 minutes after the final whistle with a 50% discount on hot food), or simply discuss the game. This strategy often means you reach your transport method at the same time or even earlier than those who battled through peak crowds.

Public Transport Timing: Trains from Selhurst, Thornton Heath, and Norwood Junction run regularly on game day, typically every 10-15 minutes. Missing one train rarely means more than a 10-15 minute wait for the next service. The 5-10 minute post-game window represents the worst time to enter stations, packed platforms and potentially missed trains due to overcrowding. Leaving either immediately at the whistle or waiting until 20 minutes after creates a more comfortable journey.

Road Reopening: Roads around the stadium reopen approximately 1 hour after the final whistle. If you've parked nearby or arranged a pickup, factor this into your timing. Attempting to collect your car or meet a taxi earlier than this means navigating road closures and pedestrian-priority zones.

Best Seating Sections During Bad Weather

British weather can be unpredictable, and Selhurst Park's traditional design means coverage varies significantly across the stadium.

Best Rain Protection: The Main Stand provides the most comprehensive coverage in rows 10 and above. The roof extends well over these sections, and you'll stay dry even in heavy rain with wind. The Holmesdale Road Stand offers similar protection from row 15 upwards. Both stands have robust roof structures that shield from vertical and moderately angled rain.

Moderate Coverage: The Arthur Wait Stand's low-hanging roof covers most of the middle sections (approximately rows 10-30), though front rows and the very back rows (35+) remain exposed. The Whitehorse Lane Stand provides partial coverage, with higher rows generally protected better than lower rows.

Areas to Avoid in Rain: Front rows (1-10) of all stands are most exposed. The corners where stands meet have gaps in roof coverage, making these particularly vulnerable to wind-driven rain. Blocks at the junction points between stands (for example, where the Arthur Wait Stand meets the Holmesdale Road Stand) can get wet even in moderate rain.

Wind Considerations: The corners are notoriously windy at Selhurst Park. The gap where different stands meet creates wind tunnels. On particularly blustery days, rain gets blown into sections that would otherwise be covered. Corner sections of the Arthur Wait Stand away end suffer most from this effect.

Umbrellas Banned: For safety reasons, umbrellas are not permitted inside the stadium. Rain protection must come from personal waterproof clothing and the stadium roof coverage. Bring a lightweight waterproof jacket that can be easily removed if the weather improves.

Cold Weather: In winter, the corners remain coldest due to wind exposure. Central sections of covered stands feel warmest, as body heat from packed fans generates some warmth and the roof reduces wind chill. Evening games from November to March can be brutally cold, dress in layers regardless of your seating position.

Best Time to Enter Selhurst Park by Seating Section

Gates open 90 minutes before kickoff for most games (sometimes 2 hours before kickoff for bigger games), though the optimal arrival time varies significantly depending on which section you're in.

Away Section (Arthur Wait Stand, Blocks R, S, T): Get there at least 60 minutes before kickoff, especially for well-supported away followings. Security searches are thorough, and there's only one main entrance serving the away section. The turnstiles can create significant lines between 30-15 minutes before kickoff. If you're in the upper rows where restricted views become an issue, arriving early lets you position yourself in the better seats if it's unreserved seating.

Holmesdale Road Stand (Home): This is the traditional home end where the most vocal Palace fans congregate. The lower tier fills up early with season ticket holders and the Holmesdale Fanatics supporter group. If you're in the lower tier, arrive 45-60 minutes early to enjoy the pre-game atmosphere building. Upper tier fans can arrive 30-40 minutes before without issues, as this section tends to fill more gradually.

Main Stand: The most relaxed entry experience at Selhurst Park. This section houses corporate hospitality, directors, and more casual fans. Arriving 30-45 minutes before kickoff is perfectly fine. Concourse access is good, and you'll have time to grab refreshments without stress.

Whitehorse Lane Stand: Similar to the Main Stand, this section rarely experiences entry congestion. 30-40 minutes before kickoff works well. This stand also houses executive boxes, so facilities are generally better maintained.

Peak Crowding Times: Across all sections, the 30-15 minute window before kickoff represents peak entry time. Roads around the stadium close 2 hours before kickoff, so if you're driving or getting dropped off, factor this into your planning. The Information Center (Entrance 9) opens 3 hours before kickoff and provides free bag storage for oversized items, mobile phone charging, and general assistance.

Early Bird Benefits: Arriving when gates first open has advantages beyond avoiding lines. Selhurst Park operates an Early Bird food offer, for the first 45-60 minutes after turnstiles open (timing varies), you can get a cheeseburger, hot dog, or Tuscan bean pie plus a beer for £7. Standard pricing without this offer runs £4-6 per food item and £5-6 per pint.