Reading visitor guide (Madjeski Stadium, Reading FC, The Royals)

The Madejski Stadium, home of Reading F.C., opened its gates on the 22nd of August 1998. The ground replaced Elm Park, Reading's home since 1896. It cost more than £50 million to construct and is one of the most modern grounds in England. Reading F.C. currently shares the ground with the London Irish rugby union club. The all-seater stadium totally encloses the grass and synthetic fibre pitch and has a capacity of 24,161. The stadium complex even has its own Madejski Stadium hotel, the Millennium Madejski Hotel. Planning permission has been granted for the club to increase the capacity of the stadium to around 38,000.

Away fans are housed in the Fosters Lager South Stand where around 2,327 seats are usually allocated for supporters of the visiting team. The views of the action are excellent from here as they are the whole stadium over as are the facilities; seats have plenty of legroom and the roof covering the stand allows fans to make some noise. It should be noted that the Madejski Stadium is a modern 'out of town' affair that some fans will find a disappointment as there is a distinct lack of local character nearby.

Interesting fact: the ground the Madejski Stadium is built on used to be a landfill site and was bought from Reading Council for just £1!

Getting To The Madejski Stadium

By Car

Due to it's out of town location; the Madejski Stadium is very easy to get to by car. Exit the M4 at Junction 11 and follow the signs towards Reading (A33) and you will see the stadium after less than a mile. The ground can be seen from the motorway and is very hard to miss. There is parking at the Madejski Stadium and the nearby greyhound/speedway track; these can fill up quickly so make sure you arrive in time. If the car parks are full then street parking can be found close-by. The club also operates a park and ride scheme.

By Public Transport

Reading train station is some way from the Madejski Stadium but a special match bus takes supporters to and from the station on match days. The journey takes 10-15 minutes and the return fare is about £3. Fans staying in a Madejski Stadium hotel in the centre of Reading will find this bus the most convenient way of reaching the ground. The walk to the stadium takes around an hour so public transport is highly recommended.

Here are football stadiums close to Reading: