In 1854, the Crystal Palace Exhibition building was relocated from Hyde Park to Sydenham Hill. The Crystal Palace Park that surrounded the site saw various sports facilities built. The Crystal Palace Company who owned the exhibition building founded the Crystal Palace Club in 1857 to play cricket. They then turned their attention to football. It had been lobbied by members of the cricket club to provide a continuation of sporting activities during the winter months. The company formed an amateur Crystal Palace football club in 1861.
This club became one of the original founder members of the Football Association in 1863, In 1895, the Football Association found a new permanent venue for the FA Cup Final at the sports stadium. The final continued here until 1920.
