Crayford Greyhound Track Closes, Leaving Only One in London

The closure marks another blow for a sport facing declining popularity, welfare concerns, and increasing calls for bans.

Crayford Stadium, a historic greyhound racing venue in southeast London, held its final race on Sunday night, leaving Romford as the last remaining track within the M25.
Greyhound racing in Britain has been in steady decline, with only 19 tracks remaining nationwide compared to nearly 200 at its peak in the mid-20th century.
Animal welfare concerns and declining public interest have contributed to the sport's struggles, with critics citing high injury and euthanasia rates among racing dogs.
The stadium's owners, Entain, cited financial non-viability as the reason for closure, with the site expected to be repurposed for housing development.
Supporters of the sport argue it could survive with modernization and better marketing, but its future remains uncertain as calls for bans grow louder, including a pending consultation in Wales.