Madejski Stadium Sports Fan Tips
Madejski Stadium is a venue in Reading
Best Food and Drink at Madejski Stadium?
Despite being out of the Premier League, Reading's prices are right up there with the big guns at £4.50 for a pint of Fosters or Courage Bitters. Guinness and Strongbow fetch £4.70 a pint (?!) so maybe just drink away from the stadium? The food is a bit better (in terms of pricing anyway) with decent pies, pasties and hot dogs for £3.50. Unusually, you can get pizza (5” and a ludicrous £3.50) but a nice novelty, if nothing else.
Things to check out around Madejski Stadium?
There are places and activities for literally everyone around Reading, but here are a few choice favourites of mine.Small kids: "The Mad House” is a soft play area that is a kid's dream! There's a small café for the adults to get a rest as well ;)Adrenaline junkies: Indoor Karting at TeamSport has got to be on your list. Great track, helpful staff and a fine competition for the day.The thinkers: "Escape Reading” traps you in a themed box for an hour and leaves you to solve (or break down over) the cryptic clues and puzzles before time runs out!
Best Insider tip at Madejski Stadium?
It's not the most accessible stadium in England (by some distance) but there's another travel means that's gaining a bit of attention: the Park and Ride from Mereoak just off J11 of the M4. Costs £3.50 for a return (the same as the bus from the train station) but parking is free – pretty good value! Doesn't take long to arrive at the stadium, and of course they'll take you back again after the match. Worth checking out, as parking spaces don't come too easily near the stadium!
Madejski Stadium seating?
A word on the facilities and general design of the stadium: it's excellent. The seats are comfortable, with ample legroom; the rows are a good height apart, making the stands fairly steep and keeping everyone super close to the action. Everything is in good repair, so there's nothing to gripe about. Tickets go for around £30 each, maybe £35 for a good seat at a big game, which is totally fine for a team pushing for the Premier League.
What to expect from the Madejski Stadium crowd?
Considered a great idea by many, the away fans are seated right next to the loudest, most vocal Reading fans. Since Reading don't have a fan base full of nutters and lads gunning for a fight, it creates a magnificent atmosphere. Fans exchange witty chants and songs, while each egging on their side for a victory. Don't expect the Reading crowd to go anywhere if the tide of play isn't going their way, as they'll match and outdo your enthusiasm stride for stride the whole game!
Best Pubs around Madejski Stadium?
As a home fan, the world (well, the town of Reading) is your oyster – pick any bar, though many bouncers will ask for ID identifying you as a local before letting you inside. If you're a Reading fan but not from the area, maybe take a shirt or flash your ticket as evidence.There isn't an abundance of choice near to the stadium unfortunately, so you're looking at about 15 minutes' walk as an away fan. There's a Holiday Inn nearby, though we all know what hotel prices are like… About 25 minutes' walk from the Madejski is Three Mile Cross, which has a few good pubs for the away crowd.
How do I get to Madejski Stadium?
Parking is a bit of an issue at the stadium itself (not a lot of space) however a racetrack was recently taken down near the stadium, and you can park there for the game, only 5-10 minutes' walk away. It does cost £8 (as with the Madejski itself) which is a bit steep. There are also business units nearby, and some of them offer parking for around a fiver.For the non-drivers (or drinkers), the Football Special bus goes from the train station to the stadium: £3.50 single or £4.00 return. You don't get any change, so try to have plenty loose coins to pay for the trip! £2.00 or £2.50 return for kids.
Best restaurants near Madejski Stadium?
There's actually a very classy and plush Millennium Hotel on the stadium grounds which features its own fine restaurant called Le Café. It's a gorgeous cream + hardwood interior, with a full wall of bay windows allowing light in the daytime, and atmosphere for an evening meal. Suitable for a pre-match brunch or post game wine-and-dine, it is a bit pricier than your standard restaurant, but the quality and convenience offset the extra spend.