First Look: Decathlon Opens Flagship Store Inside Croydon IKEA

April 29, 2026

Croydon has welcomed a significant addition to its retail offerings with the official opening of a new Decathlon store, now located within the IKEA at Valley Retail Park. This strategic move sees the popular sports retailer integrate into the well-known home furnishings giant, creating a unique shopping destination for residents across the borough and wider South London. The new store, which opened on Friday, April 24, 2026, represents the first such partnership in the UK.

The Details

The new Decathlon occupies a substantial 1,100 square metres of retail space within the larger 25,000-square-metre IKEA store. It features its own dedicated entrance, allowing customers direct access to over 5,000 products spanning more than 70 different sports. The previous Decathlon branch on Purley Way closed on Sunday, April 19, 2026, with its operations transitioning to this new site.

The launch weekend included special promotions, with the first 100 customers on April 24 receiving a Quechua NH100 10L backpack and a £20 gift voucher, provided they held a Decathlon membership. Festivities continued on April 25 with free bags for the first 100 customers and the store transforming into a mini sporting playground, complete with a climbing wall, face painting, and live DJs. The store also offers Decathlon's "Buy Back" scheme, allowing customers to trade in pre-loved equipment for store credit, alongside a convenient Click & Collect service.

Community Impact

This innovative partnership aims to provide Croydon residents with a comprehensive shopping experience, combining home furnishings with a vast array of sports equipment under one roof. The collaboration is designed to make an active lifestyle more accessible for the community. Local dignitaries, including the Mayor of Croydon, Jason Perry, and former Crystal Palace footballer Clinton Morrison, attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony, highlighting the local significance of this new venture. The store's presence is expected to serve a broad demographic, from seasoned athletes to families seeking sporting goods.

Planning Your Visit

The Decathlon store is located within IKEA Croydon at Valley Retail Park, Purley Way, Croydon, CR0 4UZ. The nearest TfL station is Ampere Way Tram Stop, which is approximately a 4-6 minute walk away. The store operates Monday to Saturday from 10am to 7pm, and on Sundays from 11am to 5pm.

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Source Verification

This report is based on data from IKEA's official newsroom and various local news outlets.

Source Link: https://www.mylondon.news/news/south-london-news/new-croydon-decathlon-opening-date-33780121

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