Capacity: 24,200 all seater stadium
Stadium Address: Reading FC, Bennett Road, Reading, RG2 0FL
Highest Attendance: 24,107 v Chelsea, Carling Cup 4th Round, December 3rd, 2003
Official programme: £2.50
The Ground Itself:
Another purpose built, out of town “yawn-hole” you may be thinking with regard to the Royals’ Madejski Stadium. Well, you would be half right. It, sadly, does have its similarities to the ever-expanding list of monotonous stadiums (Leicester, Derby, Middlesbrough and dare I say Stoke all come to mind) but the designers have tried to separate it from the aforementioned ‘plastic atmospheric’ grounds. The seating ripples at the top of each stand and the tiering of seats has the supporter in mind as it flattens out as it gets nearer to the action. It does bring back memories of Pride Park with three equally sized stands and a bigger double tiered affair with executive boxes and all your executive nonsense. However for some reason it just looks better than Derby’s stadium. Away fans will be in the Fosters Stand, where we will be given an ample 4500 seats. This is behind the goal and the facilities are second to none.
Ground History
Madejski Stadium | 22-08-1998 | Present |
01-08-1895 | 01-08-1998 | |
| 01-08-1888 | 31-07-1896 |
| 01-08-1881 | 31-07-1889 |
| 01-08-1870 | 31-07-1882 |
Parking
There are two car parks in the vicinity of the stadium - one actually at the ground and one at a speedway track that is well within walking distance to the Stadium. Please note that The Club do not permit cars to leave the car parks until ten minutes after the final whistle.
Nearest Train Station?
Reading mainline station is your best bet. To get to the ground, get the number 79 bus that leaves from the station area. This will take you to the stadium within twenty minutes at a coast of £2 return.
Want a drink?
There is a Harvester Inn near to the Madejski but apart from that you’ll have to go to the town centre for a drink. Keep club colours hidden though because the majority of these pubs won’t let you in otherwise.
Across the road from the train station is the Firkin pub, but they don't allow you in wearing club colours.
For directions, please visit Reading MAD by clicking here