IKEA has announced the launch date for a brand new opening this April in what will be a UK first for the brand.

The popular retailer is opening a new Decathlon store within its IKEA Croydon site, which will be based in a standalone unit with a dedicated customer entrance. The Decathlon shop, which is due to open its doors to customers at 11am on Friday, April 24, will span 1,188 square metres of retail space within the 25,000 square metre IKEA store, and will complement IKEA's range of home furnishings.

IKEA Croydon will be the first UK store to pilot this partnership and to celebrate the launch, the first 100 customers through the doors on April 24 will receive a signature Quechua NH100 10L backpack and a £20 gift voucher to kickstart their next adventure.

The celebrations will continue into Saturday, April 25, with the first 100 shoppers also receiving a free Quechua bag. To claim the rewards, visitors simply need to show their free Decathlon Membership account on arrival. Sign-up is quick and easy and can be completed on the day or online.

On April 25, the storefront will be transformed into a mini sporting playground designed for the whole family, including a climbing wall, free face painting and live DJs.

Shoppers will be able to test their skills in various sporting challenges for BIG prizes and instant rewards via a "Spin to Win" wheel running throughout the day with Decathlon gear up for grabs.

Following the Saturday festivities, the store will remain open throughout Sunday for customers to explore the new space at their leisure.

IKEA said the new partnership will see its Croydon store become a "one-stop shopping destination for lifestyle needs", allowing shoppers to design and create their home at IKEA, alongside discovering new sporting passions.

According to IKEA's latest Life at Home Report 2025, more than a third (36%) of people in the UK say spending time on hobbies and personal interests is their main source of enjoyment at home.

The retailer said introducing Decathlon will reflect this need by providing a curated selection of more than 5,000 products across active pursuits like hiking, camping, running, fitness, swimming and cycling.

Decathlon's Buy Back initiative will also be available from day one, allowing customers to trade in pre-loved gear for store credit, keeping high-quality equipment in play for longer, alongside a Click & Collect service, allowing Croydon shoppers to access the full Decathlon range with ease.

Kim Chin-Sung, market manager for IKEA Croydon, said: "We first opened IKEA Croydon back in 1992 and since then, the way people shop has changed. At IKEA, we believe that our physical stores have a vital role to play, as a shopping destination and to inspire customers.

"The new Decathlon unit coming to IKEA Croydon is the latest example of us investing in and reimagining our stores to ensure customers and co-workers continue to get the most out of these spaces."

As part of its longterm UK expansion strategy to bring the brand closer to where customers live, work and socialise, IKEA is continuing to grow its presence across the country and last year opened seven new UK stores.

These included two citycentre locations on London's Oxford Street and in Brighton, two Plan and Order Points in Hull and York, and three smallformat stores in retail parks in Harlow, Norwich and Chester.

Monica Cedres, London city director, Decathlon UK, added: "We've been looking forward to this day, and after a true team effort, we can't wait to finally jump into action alongside our neighbours at IKEA.

"This partnership is all about making an active lifestyle as easy as a trip to IKEA. Croydon is a borough full of energy, and whether you're looking for technical help with a PB or just grabbing your home and sport essentials in one go, we're ready to help South London discover the joy of being active together."