Crystal Palace Welcomes New Live Mascot and Auction of Matchworn Shirts

Crystal Palace Football Club has announced two significant events to mark the beginning of the 2024/25 Premier League season. Firstly, the club is set to auction signed, matchworn shirts from the encounter against West Ham United. This match will take place on Saturday, 24th August, and the auction will commence as the match kicks off at 15:05 BST.

The shirts, which will be in the condition they were at full-time, will be available for bidding through MatchWornShirt. The auction will conclude at 14:00 BST on Saturday, 31st August. All proceeds from the auction will be directed to the Palace for Life Foundation, supporting initiatives aimed at enhancing the lives of young individuals in South London.

In a related announcement, Crystal Palace is pleased to share the return of an American Bald Eagle to Selhurst Park as part of the celebrations for the stadium’s 100th anniversary. Named Phoenix, this young eagle has been preparing to fulfill her role as the club’s official live mascot since her birth four months ago.

Phoenix will make her debut on matchday this Saturday, 24th August, and supporters are invited to the Fanzone from 12:30 BST to take pictures with her before the game. Although Phoenix cannot yet fly on matchdays, she is expected to gradually acclimate to the environment and eventually participate in aerial displays.

Samantha Leonard, Director of Eagle Heights, expressed enthusiasm about Phoenix’s arrival and the club’s longstanding partnership with the organization. Leonard mentioned that Phoenix has been introduced to Palace matches during her upbringing, indicating her potential affinity for the club.

The name ‘Phoenix’ was inspired by the historical evolution of the club’s nickname ‘the Eagles,’ first adopted in 1973 by then-manager Malcolm Allison. This name symbolizes resilience and growth, drawing from the imagery of a phoenix rising from the ashes.

The club hopes that, similar to the previous live mascot Kayla, Phoenix will become an integral part of the matchday experience for fans at Selhurst Park. Eagle Heights, a not-for-profit organization based in Kent, has been dedicated to wildlife conservation and education for nearly three decades.