The Reading FC Stadium, known commercially as Select Car Leasing Stadium and previously known as the Madejski Stadium, has been the home of Reading FC since 1998.
With a modern all-seater design and a capacity of over 24,000, it’s one of the most accessible and well-equipped stadiums outside the Premier League. Known for its clean sightlines, excellent facilities, and professional atmosphere, the stadium has hosted Premier League football, England youth internationals, and rugby union fixtures.
Whether it’s your first visit or you’re a returning fan, the ground offers a comfortable and enjoyable matchday experience in the heart of Berkshire.
Reading FC Stadium Stats
Opened in 1998, the Reading FC Stadium is a modern, multi-purpose venue located just south of Reading town centre. Purpose-built for Reading FC, it replaced the club’s former Elm Park ground and has since become a model for post-1990s stadium design—functional, fan-friendly, and well integrated with transport and commercial developments. The stadium also serves as a home for London Irish RFC (rugby union), adding to its profile as a versatile sporting venue.
Stadium Key Facts
Capacity: 24,161
Address: Junction 11, M4, Reading, RG2 0FL
Year Opened: 1998
Home Team(s): Reading FC
Record Attendance: 24,160 – Reading vs. Everton, Premier League, 17 November 2012
Owner: Reading Football Club
First Fixture: Reading vs. Luton Town (4 August 1998)
Did You Know?
The stadium sits on a former landfill site and was renamed in 2021 under a naming rights deal with local vehicle leasing company Select Car Leasing.
Reading FC Stadium Design and Architecture
The Reading FC Stadium was designed with practicality, visibility, and crowd flow in mind. Built in a classic bowl-style configuration, the stadium features a continuous single-tier seating arrangement that ensures unobstructed views from every seat. Its clean, symmetrical layout and steep rake allow supporters to feel close to the action while maintaining excellent sightlines throughout.
Designed by AFL Architects, the stadium opened in 1998 and was considered ahead of its time for mid-sized English football grounds. Its curved roof structure provides full coverage and enhances acoustics, particularly in the East and North Stands where vocal support tends to concentrate.
The West Stand houses hospitality suites, media facilities, and the dugouts, while the South Stand is often allocated to away fans. Despite its modernity, the stadium retains a functional aesthetic, prioritising fan comfort and efficiency over ornate features. Its location near the M4 motorway makes it one of the most accessible stadiums in the league.
Reading FC Stadium Seating Plan
Credit: Reading FC
The Reading FC Stadium follows a bowl-style layout with four named stands, all fully seated and under cover. Each stand offers a slightly different experience depending on your preference for atmosphere, comfort, or view.
- West Stand: The main stand, home to hospitality suites, press facilities, and the players’ tunnel. It offers premium padded seating and executive boxes.
- East Stand (Sir John Madejski Stand): Opposite the West, this stand is popular with long-time supporters and families, offering excellent views and easy access to concourse facilities.
- North Stand (Eamonn Dolan Stand): Known for its vocal home support, this is where much of the atmosphere is generated on matchdays.
- South Stand: Typically allocated to away supporters. It offers good sightlines and its own dedicated entrance, turnstiles, and amenities.
The design ensures unobstructed views from all areas, and digital screens at each end enhance the matchday experience.
Reading FC Stadium Tickets & Pricing
Reading FC maintains a clear and structured pricing model at the Reading FC Stadium, designed to accommodate a range of fans while reflecting fixture demand. Ticket prices are tiered based on the opponent and seat location, with additional flexibility for family areas and concessions.
For the 2024–25 season, standard adult tickets typically range from £20 to £32, depending on the stand and fixture category. Concessions (including seniors, 18–24s, and under-17s) are usually priced between £10 and £20, while under-12s can often attend for around £5–£10, especially in family-designated zones in the East Stand.
Premium matches, such as those against former Premier League sides or local derbies, may be priced slightly higher. The club frequently offers bundled deals and special promotions to boost attendance.
Season tickets provide significant savings for regular supporters and include additional benefits such as early access to cup tickets and priority booking for away matches. Accessible seating, companion tickets, and family tickets are all available, and most areas of the ground are fully wheelchair accessible.
Digital ticketing is widely used, although printed tickets can still be requested via the ticket office. Early booking is encouraged, especially for high-demand fixtures.
How to Get Reading FC Stadium Tickets
Match tickets for Reading FC games can be purchased online via the official club website, by phone through the ticket office, or in person at the stadium. The online platform is user-friendly and allows supporters to select specific seats, receive e-tickets, or request postal delivery.
Fans are encouraged to create a Reading FC ticketing account, which provides access to priority sales for cup games, discounted promotions, and booking history. Season ticket holders and member card holders receive early access to tickets, especially for high-demand fixtures and away allocations.
The South Stand is usually allocated to away supporters and tickets for this section are distributed by the visiting club. Matchday sales are sometimes available at the ticket office, but advance booking is recommended for popular matches to avoid disappointment. The stadium also supports mobile and print-at-home ticket formats to streamline entry.
Matchday Atmosphere and Fan Experience
Matchdays at the Reading FC Stadium offer a professional, well-organised experience with a family-friendly feel. While the ground’s open design can sometimes limit acoustics, the North Stand delivers the loudest support, with Reading’s most vocal fans generating chants throughout the match.
The East Stand tends to attract families and long-time season ticket holders, creating a more relaxed but passionate environment. Concourse areas are clean and modern, with a solid range of food and drink options. Though not as intense as older, tighter stadiums, the overall experience is smooth, safe, and enjoyable for all fans.
How to Get to Reading FC Stadium
The Reading FC Stadium is located just south of Reading town centre, near Junction 11 of the M4, making it one of the easiest stadiums to reach by road in the country. By car, use postcode RG2 0FL. On-site parking is limited to permit holders, but park-and-ride schemes operate on matchdays from locations such as Mereoak and Shinfield, offering smooth connections to the ground.
By train, Reading Station is the main rail hub and is served by direct services from London Paddington, Oxford, Bristol, and beyond. On matchdays, a dedicated shuttle bus (Football Special 50A) runs from the station to the stadium every few minutes, taking around 10–15 minutes.
Local buses also serve the stadium area, and cycling paths are in place with limited cycle storage at the ground. The stadium is fully accessible, with dedicated routes and facilities for disabled fans. Arrive early to avoid traffic congestion near the motorway junction.
How to Access Stadium for Home Fans
Home fans can access the Reading FC Stadium through clearly marked entrances around the ground, with most supporters entering via the North, East, or West Stands.
Turnstiles typically open 90 minutes before kick-off, and stewards are present to guide fans to their respective areas. Digital tickets can be scanned directly at the gates, and paper tickets are still accepted. Fans driving to the stadium are encouraged to use one of the nearby park-and-ride sites, such as Mereoak or Shinfield, to avoid congestion and limited parking.
Walking routes from local drop-off points are well signposted. For those arriving by bus or shuttle, the drop-off area is close to the main entrance on the west side of the stadium.
How to Get to Stadium for Away Fans
Away fans are seated in the South Stand, which has a dedicated turnstile entrance and separate facilities. This stand provides unobstructed views and modern amenities, including catering and accessible toilets. Coaches typically drop off in the designated away section area, and stewards are on hand to assist with directions.
Fans arriving by train should head to the Football Special 50A shuttle bus from Reading Station, which stops directly outside the stadium and runs frequently before and after the match. Parking is not recommended near the stadium due to restrictions, but nearby park-and-ride services provide smooth access.
Away supporters are advised to arrive early, particularly for high-attendance fixtures, to avoid queues and enjoy pre-match amenities.
Hotels Near Reading FC Stadium
Reading offers a wide selection of hotels within a short drive or public transport ride of the stadium. Whether you’re after budget convenience or a more comfortable stay, there are several good options for match-going fans.
voco Reading
Located right next to the stadium, voco Reading is the most convenient option for home and away supporters alike. It offers modern rooms, a bar, restaurant, and gym—all within walking distance of the turnstiles.
Address: 100 Berkshire Pl, Reading RG2 0FL
Website: voco Reading
Telephone: 0118 925 3500
Premier Inn Reading Central
A solid, budget-friendly choice in the town centre, about 10 minutes from the stadium via shuttle or taxi. Surrounded by restaurants and shops, it’s ideal for fans wanting a livelier pre-match base.
Address: Letcombe St, Reading RG1 2HN
Website: Premier Inn Reading Central
Telephone: 0333 321 8346
Holiday Inn Reading South
Just a few minutes’ drive from the stadium, this mid-range hotel offers good parking, a restaurant, and modern rooms. Well suited to families or groups heading to the match.
Address: 500 Basingstoke Rd, Reading RG2 0SL
Website: Holiday Inn Reading South
Telephone: 0118 987 0460
Pubs, Bars Near Reading FC Stadium
While there are limited pubs directly next to the stadium, Reading town centre—just a short shuttle ride away—offers a great selection of pubs and bars catering to both home and away fans. Here are three fan-friendly options worth visiting before or after the match.
The Three Guineas
Located just outside Reading Station, this spacious pub is perfect for fans arriving by train. It offers a good selection of beers, traditional pub food, and a lively football crowd on matchdays.
Address: Station Approach, Reading, RG1 1LY
Website: The Three Guineas
Telephone: 0118 959 1919
The Hope & Bear
A short drive or bus ride from the stadium, The Hope & Bear is a classic pub with a large beer garden and a strong matchday following. Serves food and a wide range of drinks.
Address: 153 London Rd, Reading, RG1 5DE
Website: The Hope & Bear
Telephone: 0118 955 1901
The World Turned Upside Down (Greene King)
Located along Basingstoke Road, this pub is en route to the stadium and popular with both sets of fans. It offers parking, food, and TVs showing early kick-offs.
Address: 387 Basingstoke Rd, Reading, RG2 0JE
Website: The World Turned Upside Down
Telephone: 0118 986 1661
Updates on Reading FC Stadium
In recent years, the Reading FC Stadium has undergone a series of functional improvements to maintain its status as one of the Championship’s most modern mid-sized venues. While there are no current plans for large-scale expansion, Reading FC has focused on infrastructure upgrades to enhance the matchday experience.
Recent updates have included LED lighting systems, improved digital ticketing access, and upgrades to the hospitality suites in the West Stand. In addition, accessibility enhancements—including new lifts, signage, and sensory-friendly zones—reflect the club’s ongoing commitment to inclusivity.
The most notable change came in 2021, when the club secured a long-term naming rights deal with Reading FC Stadium, giving the stadium its current name and providing a financial boost. The partnership has supported ongoing investment in maintenance and stadium operations.
There have also been discussions about improved fan zone areas and enhanced public transport links, particularly in coordination with the town’s broader redevelopment plans. While a major rebuild isn’t on the horizon, the stadium continues to evolve gradually, maintaining its reputation as a well-run, accessible, and modern ground suitable for both football and rugby union fixtures.