Matchday Information for Reading (A) - 15 August 2023
This is Cheltenham’s first visit to the Madejski Stadium, having previously played against the Biscuit-men (it’s a far superior nickname to the ‘Royals’) at Elm Park - the last occasion being in the Third Round of the FA Cup in 1997-98. The Madejski opened the following season and cost £50 million.
This Tuesday night fixture is at an unusual 8pm kick-off time.
Tickets: buy tickets in advance (and club coach travel if needed): https://cheltenhamtownfc.ktckts.com/event/chm2324a02/reading-v-cheltenham-town
At most matches, it is possible to buy tickets on arrival at the Select Car Leasing Stadium from the Ticket Office.
Reading have allocated Cheltenham Town supporters seats in the South Stand, and Family Area initially, once the South Stand tickets are sold out then seats will be made available in the Upper West Stand. Please note no adults will be admitted without children, and no children without adults in the Family Area.
Reading supporters who are part of a Member Card scheme qualify for discounted admission, and this offer has been extended to Cheltenham Town season ticket holders.
To book these prices tickets must be assigned to season ticket holders before processing payment. You will need to know the Customer Number (CTFCxxxxxxx) of all season ticket holders in your party to be able to apply the tickets to their account. Failure to input a correct customer number will result in the standard prices being charged at checkout. Once season ticket holders details are applied the prices will change in the basket.
Matchday Opening Times (Midweek 8pm kick-off):
Fanstore: Opens: 10am - Closes: at kick-off
Ticket Office: Opens: 10am - Closes: half-time
Hospitality: Opens: 5.30pm - Closes: 11.15pm
Jazz Café: TBA
Fan Zone: 6pm onwards
Gates open: 6.30pm
Final F1 bus to Reading 10.41pm
By Train:
The nearest railway station is Reading, trains from Cheltenham Spa, whether direct or with a change at Bristol Parkway, take around an hour and a half. The last train back to Cheltenham will leave Reading station at 22:58, changing at Swindon.
From the station, supporters can either take the 50A Greenwave Park and Ride bus service or take a taxi to the stadium for approximately £10.
Driving:
Take the M4 to Junction 11 and follow the signs to Reading. The Select Car Leasing Stadium is on the left-hand side after less than a mile. The postcode of the ground is RG2 0FL.
Parking
More information on directions, parking times and costs can be found by clicking here.
Matchday Permits
It costs £10 for a Matchday Permit for league fixtures in Car Park 3 Red Zone. This price may vary for cup fixtures and other events.
Booking in advance is the only way to guarantee a parking space on matchday, subject to availability at the time of booking. To pre-book, head to our Ticket Office page or ring 0118 968 1313. Advance booking goes off sale 4 hours before each fixture, but once it is too late to post your permit, Print at Home will be the only option to receive your permit. Parking permits cannot be left for collection on matchday.
A limited number of Matchday Permits may be available on a matchday if they do not sell out in advance, at a price of £15. Any Permits bought on arrival must be paid by card - cash will not be accepted.
Accessible parking
A limited number of spaces will be available at a cost of £5 to disabled supporters on a first come, first serve basis in advance. To pre-book, head to our Ticket Office page or ring 0118 968 1313-option 2. Advance booking goes off sale 4 hours before each fixture, but once it is too late to post your permit, Print at Home will be the only option to receive your permit. Parking permits cannot be left for collection on matchday.
Disabled Supporters will need to present a valid blue badge on entry to the car park.
A limited number of Disabled Matchday Permits may be available on a matchday if they do not sell out in advance, at a price of £10. Any Permits bought on arrival must be paid by card - cash will not be accepted.
Family parking area
If you have a child 12 or under in your car, you will be eligible to park in Car Park 2 Red Zone for £10. Spaces are available online through our Ticket Office page or by phoning 0118 968 1313. Advance booking goes off sale 4 hours before each fixture, but once it is too late to post your permit, Print at Home will be the only option to receive your permit. Parking permits cannot be left for collection on matchday.
As part of our commitment to attracting and retaining family groups, we are offering the first 30 parking spaces free of charge to families visiting for the first time. These must be booked by calling 0118 968 1313. To qualify for this offer, match tickets must be purchased in your family's name directly through the Reading FC Ticket Office.
Coach & minibus parking
Supporter Coaches
Supporter Coach parking must be pre-booked by emailing the registration plate and coach operator details to supporterservices@readingfc.co.uk or by calling 0118 968 1211. Parking is free of charge for coaches.
Minibuses
To pre-book minibus parking, head to our Ticket Office page or ring 0118 968 1313.
Minibuses parking is charged at the same rate as cars.
Drop-off area
Cars can enter the Stadium roads to drop off up to 30 minutes before kick-off but there is no designated area. Cars can also enter the stadium roads to pick up 30 minutes after the final whistle.
Bicycle parking
We have cycle racks at the top of VIP Car Park 1 where it is free to park your bike.
General information
Please note in order to allow pedestrians and buses to exit the stadium safely cars will be held back in the stadium car parks for around 20 minutes. There can also be delays of around 45 minutes to exit the stadium complex due to the heavy flow of traffic in and around the A33.
The voco Reading Hotel car park is only available to hotel guests on a matchday.
Off-site parking is also available, with Car Park 6 (RG2 0RP) and two park-and-ride services, Mereoak (RG7 1PB) and Shinfield Park (RG2 9FW), also in operation.
Fan Zone:
All supporters are invited to the Select Car Leasing Stadium a little earlier on matchdays to join the matchday build up in the Fan Zone. As well as welcoming Reading fans, visiting supporters are also more than welcome to join us and mingle in a friendly atmosphere around the ground.
We have a large LED screen in the Fan Zone which will help you get into the mood for kick-off by showing a selection of Reading-related content, and where applicable, we will also screen the day's early kick-off as well.
The Fan Zone is the perfect place to grab a drink and a bite to eat, chat through the score predictions and soak up the atmosphere before the big kick-off.
The Stands:
A fully enclosed structure, the stadium has four main stands, of which the South Stand and Eamonn Dolan Stand occupy the goal ends, with travelling Bluenoses being housed on the left-hand side of the former.
Of the approximately 24,000 seats, the South is thought to have a capacity of just under 4,500, split between both sets of supporters. The other half of the stand is occupied by Club 1871, a section of home followers who typically boost the matchday atmosphere, whilst the Eamonn Dolan Stand houses almost 5,000 supporters and is where the club’s family area is.
The Sir John Madejski Stand is the second largest and welcomes just over 7,200 spectators, running along the touchline and is opposite the player’s tunnel and dugouts. Finally, the West Stand holds the greatest number of supporters in the RG2, with just over 7,500 seated there. The main stand in the ground is a two-tiered construction, with executive boxes found in the upper tier.
The Facilities:
Cheltnham supporters will be housed in the South Stand (blocks R30-R32), entering the ground from Gate 10, and (if demand requires) the West Stand Upper (blocks GU1-GU3), entering from Gate 11. Supporters will have an excellent view of the action due to the bowl-like structure, with turnstiles opening 90 minutes prior to kick-off.
Inside the concourse, there is a full range of food and refreshments, as well as a small fanzone outside the East Stand.
Food and Drink:
A range of hot food, drinks, snacks and confectionery are available from the concourse kiosks.
From pies and hot dogs to the perfect pint, there is plenty to choose from.
Hot food: New pie selection coming soon (currently being taste tasted by the fans), Mom’s hot dogs
Confectionary: Dairy Milk, Caramel Dairy Milk, Crunchie, Boost
Crisps: Walkers Salt & Vinegar, Ready Salted, Cheese & Onion
Alcoholic drinks: Heineken, Amstel, Inches Cider, Theakstons Bitter, Red & White Wine.
Hot drinks: Tetley Tea, Cadbury’s Hot Chocolate, Kenco Coffee, Bovril.
Cold drinks: Coke Zero, Sprite Zero, Fanta Orange Zero, Oasis Zero, Life Water
Fans with impairments:
The Select Car Leasing Stadium offers a welcoming experience for everyone. Visiting fans with impairments are able to use the Accessible areas in blocks R30 and R31.
Please visit the Disabled Supporters section on the Reading FC website for full information about how the club ensure that fans have a great day with Reading Football Club, as well as the Accessibility Guide and some useful links and contact details: https://www.readingfc.co.uk/fans/disabled-supporters
Contact information:
Contact Supporter Services: https://www.readingfc.co.uk/fans/supporter-services
Email supporterservices@readingfc.co.uk
The Ground regulations are available here: https://www.readingfc.co.uk/club/policies-regulations