Reading are based at the Select Car Leasing Stadium after many years at Elm Park. The Royals have played in the Premier League and Championship, with a modern history including record-breaking second-tier success. Recent financial and ownership difficulties have tested the club, but support remains strong across Berkshire.
The Select Car Leasing Stadium, still often called the Madejski Stadium by supporters, is a modern all-seater stadium beside Junction 11 of the M4. Opened in 1998, it replaced Reading's old Elm Park ground and has the practical feel of a purpose-built modern football stadium, with clear sightlines, wide approaches and a location designed around road access rather than a traditional town-centre matchday.
The stadium is a bowl-style ground with four connected stands. The West Stand is the main stand and contains many of the club, media and hospitality facilities. The East Stand is a key home-support area, while the North Stand and South Stand complete the bowl. Away supporters are normally placed in the South Stand behind one goal. The ground has also hosted rugby and events over the years, so it has always had a wider stadium function beyond football alone.
For comfort and view, the Select Car Leasing Stadium is strong. There are few major obstructions, legroom is generally better than at older grounds, and concourses are more spacious. The trade-off is that the stadium can feel detached from the town centre and atmosphere can depend heavily on crowd size, because the bowl is larger and less intimate than older lower-league grounds.
A Thames Valley/M4 corridor rivalry, especially meaningful when Reading and Swindon are competing in the same division.
No upcoming rivalry fixture currently listed.
A regional rivalry between two Thames Valley clubs, carrying extra edge because both have often fought for similar status and territory.
ReadingOxford UnitedSelect Car Leasing Stadium, Reading | EFL League One
Away supporters at the Select Car Leasing Stadium are normally housed in the South Stand, behind one of the goals. It is one of the more comfortable away ends in the division, with modern seating, clear sightlines and fewer of the restricted-view problems found at older grounds. The allocation can vary depending on fixture demand and segregation, but the South Stand is the usual visiting section.
Away collections and ticket office arrangements are normally handled around the South Stand side of the stadium, with visiting supporter information issued by Reading and the away club before the match. The stadium sits in a business and retail area near the M4, so the outside approach is practical but can feel spread out.
The main issue for away fans is transport and parking rather than the away end itself. Reading's visitor guidance has directed away supporters towards park-and-ride options and matchday shuttle arrangements, so supporters should check the latest instructions rather than assuming they can simply park beside the stadium.
Use M40/A404 or M4 to Junction 11, then follow signs for Select Car Leasing Stadium and the south Reading near M4 Junction 11 area. The stadium is close to the M4 but Junction 11 and the A33 queue heavily; use official/signed parking. Allow extra time for the final local roads around kick-off and check current matchday traffic or parking instructions before setting off.
Use A33 northbound or M3/M4 to Junction 11, then follow signs for Select Car Leasing Stadium and the south Reading near M4 Junction 11 area. The stadium is close to the M4 but Junction 11 and the A33 queue heavily; use official/signed parking. Allow extra time for the final local roads around kick-off and check current matchday traffic or parking instructions before setting off.
Use M4 westbound to Junction 11, then follow signs for Select Car Leasing Stadium and the south Reading near M4 Junction 11 area. The stadium is close to the M4 but Junction 11 and the A33 queue heavily; use official/signed parking. Allow extra time for the final local roads around kick-off and check current matchday traffic or parking instructions before setting off.
Use M4 eastbound to Junction 11, then follow signs for Select Car Leasing Stadium and the south Reading near M4 Junction 11 area. The stadium is close to the M4 but Junction 11 and the A33 queue heavily; use official/signed parking. Allow extra time for the final local roads around kick-off and check current matchday traffic or parking instructions before setting off.
Reading station is the main rail interchange for Reading and is excellent for services from London Paddington, Oxford, Bristol, South Wales, Basingstoke, the south coast and CrossCountry routes. The Select Car Leasing Stadium is not walkable for most supporters, so use buses, shuttle services or taxis from the station.
Reading Green Park is the closest rail station to the Select Car Leasing Stadium and is useful when your train route can connect there via Reading or Basingstoke. It is the best rail choice for a shorter final walk, but check service patterns and matchday demand.
Walking from Reading station to the stadium is not recommended for most supporters, as it is around three miles. Use the matchday shuttle or local buses towards Green Park / Madejski Stadium area, or take a taxi. If walking, allow at least an hour and follow a mapped route.
Leave Reading Green Park station and follow signs towards the stadium and Green Park business area. The walk is usually around 15 to 20 minutes. It is a far more realistic walking option than Reading main station, but check return train times before using it.
Heathrow is the best airport for Reading because of the RailAir coach link to Reading station. It avoids travelling into central London and makes the journey much more direct than it first appears.
From Reading station, the stadium is south of town and not a short station walk. Use a local bus, taxi or matchday transport towards the ground, and allow time after the match because traffic around the stadium can be slow.
Gatwick is also realistic for Reading, particularly if it gives cheaper or better-timed flights. The usual rail route is from Gatwick to Reading, sometimes direct and sometimes with a change depending on the service.
It is not as neat as Heathrow, but it is still a sensible south-east option. From Reading station, finish with a bus or taxi to the ground.
Reading Buses run dedicated football services for matches at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, including routes branded with F numbers. These are usually the best bus option because they are designed around supporter movement before and after the game.
The stadium is around two miles south of Reading town centre, so the football buses are far more practical than trying to walk for most visitors. Check the current season's route list because services and stopping points can change.
Regular Reading Buses services towards the Madejski Stadium, Mereoak and south Reading can also be useful outside the dedicated football routes. These are handy if you are staying near the town centre, arriving early, or travelling to the stadium outside the main matchday bus window.
For away supporters, the simplest plan is still to start from Reading station or the town centre and use the official football buses where possible. Regular services are a useful backup.
A taxi from Reading station or the town centre to the Select Car Leasing Stadium is a realistic option, especially for groups. The stadium is out towards Junction 11 of the M4, so it is not a quick stroll from the station.
Traffic around the retail park and stadium can be slow close to kick-off and straight after the match. If booking a return taxi, arrange a pick-up slightly away from the busiest stadium exits.
500 Cars are a Reading private-hire operator and are useful for the run from Reading station, town-centre hotels or nearby villages to the Select Car Leasing Stadium. The stadium is south of town and not a casual station walk for most supporters.
Traffic around the stadium and retail park can be slow after the match, so plan the pick-up point carefully.
Capital Cars are another Reading taxi option for journeys between the station, hotels, Tilehurst, Calcot or the stadium. They are worth checking if you are travelling as a group or if the football buses are busy.
For a return journey, walk away from the stadium exits before booking if possible.
On-site parking at Reading is useful but can be limited, with many spaces reserved for permit holders or pre-arranged parking. If general match parking is released, book or buy as early as possible rather than assuming you can arrive and park at the stadium.
Prices and availability vary by fixture. The ground is close to the M4, but the stadium and retail-park roads can be very slow after full-time.
Mereoak Park & Ride is one of the better options for Reading because it sits close to Junction 11 of the M4 and has links towards the stadium and town. It avoids driving right into Reading town centre.
Check whether matchday buses or parking arrangements are operating for the fixture before relying on it. It can be a very good away-fan option when services line up.
Private driveway parking around the RG2 area can be useful when official stadium parking is full or restricted. Look for spaces a sensible walk from the ground rather than trying to park immediately beside the stadium.
Prices vary by distance and demand, often around the £5 to £15 mark. Book in advance and check the route back to the M4 after the match.
A small real ale pub near Reading station, useful before using buses or taxis to the stadium. It suits supporters who want a proper town-centre drink rather than retail-park options.
A long-running Reading pie restaurant, useful for a distinctive pre-match meal close to the town centre. It is better for early arrivals because the stadium still needs a bus or taxi afterwards.
A central hotel close to pubs, food and transport links, useful for overnight stays. The stadium is south of town, so use a bus or taxi on matchday.
The Select Car Leasing Stadium is easiest by road because it sits close to Junction 11 of the M4, but that also means matchday traffic can build quickly around the motorway junction, retail parks and stadium access roads. Supporters should check the latest club parking and park-and-ride information before travelling.
Reading station is not close to the stadium. Supporters arriving by train normally need a shuttle bus, local bus, taxi or a longer onward journey. Reading Green Park station is closer than the main station, but supporters should still check matchday routes and walking times rather than assuming the stadium is directly outside a rail stop.
For neutrals, the side stands give the best overall view. The stadium is comfortable and easy once you are inside, but it is not a traditional town-centre away day. The main advice is to plan the last mile, allow time for traffic, and avoid parking in restricted retail areas where enforcement may apply.
Reading sell home tickets through the club's official ticketing system and ticket office. The East Stand is often associated with stronger home support, while the West Stand gives the main-stand experience and the side-on view many neutrals will prefer. The North Stand can be a calmer option depending on fixture and availability.
Away tickets are normally sold through the visiting club for the South Stand. The away allocation can be generous compared with smaller grounds, but that does not mean pay-on-the-day will be available. Collections, digital ticketing and away ticket office arrangements should be checked before travelling.
Supporters should also check parking and travel arrangements at the time of buying tickets. At Reading, the ticket is only part of the planning; the last-mile travel, shuttle bus or car park arrangement can make the biggest difference to the matchday experience.
The Select Car Leasing Stadium operates standard EFL ground regulations. Supporters should expect ticket checks, stewarding and searches where required. Pyrotechnics, smoke bombs, offensive weapons, alcohol brought into the stadium, discriminatory abuse, missile throwing and pitch encroachment are prohibited.
Fans should use the gate, stand, block and seat shown on their ticket. Away supporters should remain in the South Stand visiting section and follow any instructions for collections, accessible entry and post-match movement.
Supporters driving to the stadium should follow official car park and park-and-ride instructions. Parking in neighbouring retail parks or restricted areas can lead to enforcement, and stadium car parks may have post-match hold-backs to allow pedestrians and buses to leave safely.
Reading provide disabled supporter information as part of their matchday guidance for the Select Car Leasing Stadium. Accessible seating, wheelchair bays, accessible entry and commentary support can be arranged, but supporters should contact the club in advance to make sure the correct provision is available.
Away disabled supporters are normally accommodated within the South Stand visiting arrangements, with accessible entry and wheelchair bay details issued through the visiting club or Reading's visitor information. Do not assume accessible tickets, headsets or parking can be arranged at the last minute.
The stadium itself is modern and generally easier to navigate than older grounds, but its out-of-town location means parking, shuttle buses and the final approach need planning. Supporters using accessible parking should book or confirm arrangements before matchday.
Reading have offered stadium tours of the Select Car Leasing Stadium, including behind-the-scenes access during selected tour periods. The club has previously advertised summer stadium tour dates, but there does not appear to be a fixed daily public tour schedule running throughout the year.
Supporters interested in a tour should check Reading's official website or contact the club directly for current availability. Do not travel expecting a walk-up stadium tour unless dates are specifically advertised at the time.
A central museum close to the station and town-centre food options. It is a simple way to spend time before heading out to the stadium.
Official club website. Use this for the latest club news, fixture information, tickets, supporter notices and matchday updates.