The Madejski Stadium was opened in 1998 and is the home of Reading Football Club and London Irish Rugby Club.
This will be Boro's first visit to the Madejski, having not played Reading since
1998, when Boro won promotion back to the Premiership.
Ground Capacity: 24,200
Record Attendance: 24,107 (v Chelsea, Carling Cup R4, 3/12/2003)
Average Attendance Last season: 20,207
Where to drink:
As with most of the new 'out-of-town' stadiums drinking is limited close to the stadium. There is a Harvester pub towards the town centre and a Holiday Inn (with Irish themed bar), both within 15 minutes walk. Both are popular with away fans but they do get extremely busy.
If you are parking in the town centre or travel by train there is plenty of choice in the town. Friar Street has a dozen or so bars but you may struggle if you are wearing colours.
Beer is available in the stadium for those who can't be bothered to venture far.
How to get there:
By road:
The Madejski Stadium is situated to the south of Reading and is best approached from the M4.
You have two choices really, either follow the M1 south to J15A, then cut across country using the A43, M40 and A34 towards Oxford. Continue on the A34 south towards Newbury to join the M4 eastbound at J13. Leave the M4 at J11 onto A33, the ground is in your left.
Alternatively follow the M1 south to J6A, joining M25 westbound (anti clockwise). At junction J15 leave the M25 onto the M4 westbound. Leave the M4 at J11 onto A33, the ground is on your left.
For a local map adjacent to the stadium click here.
Car Parking:
There are a number of large car-parks close to the stadium but the volume of traffic means that they are a nightmare to exit after the game, and they can hold traffic back for ten minutes after the final whistle.
Other local parking can be found at Hewlett Packard and the Post House Hotel. There is also a park & ride scheme at Shinfield Park.
By train:
Trains run at regular intervals from London Paddington direct to Reading and take less than 30 minutes. From Reading Station you will need to take a taxi or find the No.79 'football special' bus from the town centre.
This will be Boro's first visit to the Madejski, having not played Reading since
1998, when Boro won promotion back to the Premiership.
Ground Capacity: 24,200
Record Attendance: 24,107 (v Chelsea, Carling Cup R4, 3/12/2003)
Average Attendance Last season: 20,207
Where to drink:
As with most of the new 'out-of-town' stadiums drinking is limited close to the stadium. There is a Harvester pub towards the town centre and a Holiday Inn (with Irish themed bar), both within 15 minutes walk. Both are popular with away fans but they do get extremely busy.
If you are parking in the town centre or travel by train there is plenty of choice in the town. Friar Street has a dozen or so bars but you may struggle if you are wearing colours.
Beer is available in the stadium for those who can't be bothered to venture far.
How to get there:
By road:
The Madejski Stadium is situated to the south of Reading and is best approached from the M4.
You have two choices really, either follow the M1 south to J15A, then cut across country using the A43, M40 and A34 towards Oxford. Continue on the A34 south towards Newbury to join the M4 eastbound at J13. Leave the M4 at J11 onto A33, the ground is in your left.
Alternatively follow the M1 south to J6A, joining M25 westbound (anti clockwise). At junction J15 leave the M25 onto the M4 westbound. Leave the M4 at J11 onto A33, the ground is on your left.
For a local map adjacent to the stadium click here.
Car Parking:
There are a number of large car-parks close to the stadium but the volume of traffic means that they are a nightmare to exit after the game, and they can hold traffic back for ten minutes after the final whistle.
Other local parking can be found at Hewlett Packard and the Post House Hotel. There is also a park & ride scheme at Shinfield Park.
By train:
Trains run at regular intervals from London Paddington direct to Reading and take less than 30 minutes. From Reading Station you will need to take a taxi or find the No.79 'football special' bus from the town centre.