Brixton station on the Victoria line was opened on 23 July 1971 by the London Transport Executive.

[12] In the 2000s, the station was extensively refurbished and upgraded, with a new external façade and entrance lobby, installation of step-free access, together with refurbishment of a number of smaller retail outlets and the ticket office.

There are also passenger lifts between street level, the ticket hall and the platforms to provide step free access.

[17] Since 2018, Art on the Underground has used the header wall above the main staircase to the ticket hall for temporary murals, by artists such as Njideka Akunyili Crosby, Shanti Panchal and Joy Labinjo.

Although the route of the London Overground South London line also runs close to Brixton tube station, there is no station in Brixton on this route because it passes overhead on high railway arches.