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{{Short description|Sports stadium in Reading, Berkshire, England}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2023}}
{{Infobox venue
| name = Select Car Leasing Stadium
| nickname = The Mad Stad<ref>{{cite news|last=Low|first=Jonathan|url=https://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/reading-fc-plans-expand-madejski-11924519|title=Reading FC: Plans to expand Madejski Stadium are still on the agenda|publisher=getreading|date=23 September 2016|access-date=24 February 2018|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170302144947/https://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/reading-fc-plans-expand-madejski-11924519}}</ref>
| logo_image = 
| logo_caption = Logo since 2021
| image = Select Car Leasing.jpg
| caption = Aerial view of the stadium in 2025
| fullname = Select Car Leasing Stadium
| location = Junction 11<br>[[M4 motorway|M4]]<br>[[Reading, Berkshire|Reading]]<br>[[Berkshire]]<br>RG2 0FL
| coordinates = {{coord|51|25|20|N|0|58|58|W|display=it}}
| broke_ground = 
| built = 
| opened = 22 August 1998
| closed = 
| demolished = 
| publictransit = {{rail-interchange|gb|rail}} [[Reading Green Park railway station|Reading Green Park]] ({{convert|1.5|km|mi|1|lk=on|abbr=on}})
| owner = Redwood Holdings
| operator = [[Reading F.C.]]
| surface = SIS Grass
| construction_cost = £50m (£{{inflation|UK|50|1998|r=0}}m in {{inflation-year|UK}})
| architect = 
| former_names = 
| tenants = '''Football'''<br>[[Reading F.C.|Reading]] (1998–present)<br>[[Reading F.C. Women|Reading Women]] (2020–present)<br>'''Rugby Union'''<br>[[London Irish]] (2000–2020)<br>[[Richmond F.C.|Richmond]] (1998–1999)
| seating_capacity = 24,161<ref>{{cite web|title=Select Car Leasing Stadium information|url=https://www.readingfc.co.uk/club/select-car-leasing-stadium|publisher=readingfc.co.uk|access-date=13 May 2015}}</ref>
| dimensions = 105m x 68m (football) <ref name="pitch resurfacing">{{cite news|date=2 July 2007 |url=http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10306~1065220,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070822134240/http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10306~1065220%2C00.html |archive-date=22 August 2007 |title=Stadium pitch has been lengthened |work=readingfc.co.uk |access-date=23 January 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| record_attendance = 24,184 ([[Reading F.C.|Reading]] v. [[Everton F.C.|Everton]]; 17 November 2012)<br> 23,709 (London Irish v. London Wasps; 16 March 2008)
}}
The '''Madejski Stadium''' ({{IPAc-en|m|ə|ˈ|d|eɪ|s|k|i}}), currently known as the '''Select Car Leasing Stadium''' for sponsorship reasons, is a [[Association football|football]] stadium in [[Reading, Berkshire|Reading]], [[Berkshire]], England. It is the home of [[Reading F.C.|Reading Football Club]], who play in [[EFL League One]]. It also provides the finish for the [[Reading Half Marathon]]. It is an [[all-seater stadium|all-seater]] bowl stadium with a capacity of 24,161 and is located close to the [[M4 motorway]] and [[Reading Green Park railway station]]. The West Stand contains the Voco Reading Hotel.

The stadium was opened on 22 August 1998 and replaced [[Elm Park (stadium)|Elm Park]] as Reading's home ground. It was named after [[John Madejski]], who was chairman of Reading FC and provided most of the funding.

==History==
In January 1990, the [[Taylor Report]] made all-seater stadiums compulsory in the top two divisions of English football for the [[1994-95 in English football|1994–95 season]]. Having played in the second tier of the English league several times before, Reading were champions of [[Football League Second Division|Division Two]] in 1994, and were promoted to Division One. Reading became subject to the Taylor requirements. Converting [[Elm Park (stadium)|Elm Park]] to an all-seater stadium was not practical, so a location in Smallmead (to the south of the town) was identified as the site for a new stadium.<ref name="1871 2003">{{cite web|title=The Home Grounds of Reading FC |year=2003 |publisher=1871 – The Ultimate Reading FC Website |url=http://www.btinternet.com/~rfc1871/madejskistadium/elmpark.htm |access-date=2 June 2011 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121015213037/http://www.btinternet.com/~rfc1871/madejskistadium/elmpark.htm |archive-date=15 October 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The location of a closed landfill, the site was purchased for £1, on the condition that the club develop the [[A33 road|A33 relief road]].<ref name="Digby 2001 46">{{harvtxt|Digby|2001|p=46}}</ref> Construction of the new stadium, which was undertaken by [[Birse Group]],<ref name=leisure>{{cite web|url=https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/news/Birse-to-build-Hull-stadium/945|title=Birse to build Hull stadium|date=25 September 2001|publisher=Leisure Opportunities|access-date=20 September 2020}}</ref> was underway by 1997, and the last competitive match at Elm Park took place on 3 May 1998 against [[Norwich City F.C.|Norwich City]], with Reading losing 1–0, having already been relegated to Division Two.<ref name="Loader 1998">{{cite web|last=Loader|first=Graham|title=Reading 0 Norwich City 1|year=1998|publisher=[[Hob Nob Anyone?]]|url=http://www.royals.org/matdoc/030598.html|access-date=2 June 2011}}</ref>

Reading began the [[1998–99 Reading F.C. season|1998–99 season]] at the Madejski Stadium.<ref name="1871 2003" /> It was opened on 22 August 1998 when Reading beat [[Luton Town F.C.|Luton Town]] 3–0, with [[Grant Brebner]] scoring the first goal at the stadium. Following the death of academy manager [[Eamonn Dolan]] in 2016, the North Stand was renamed as a memorial to him.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/eamonn-dolan-stand-madejski-stadium-3168672.aspx|title=The Eamonn Dolan Stand|access-date=5 July 2016}}</ref>

For the first time in its history, Reading Football Club participated in the Premier League in the [[2006-07 Reading F.C. season|2006–07 season]]. As a result of the sell-out crowds for their first few fixtures of the season, the club announced its intention, in October 2006,<ref>{{cite news | date=21 September 2006| url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/reading/5366880.stm | title=Royals ready to extend Madejski | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | access-date=28 January 2007}}</ref> to make a planning application to extend the ground to between 37,000 and 38,000 seats. The application was made on 24 January 2007, proposing initially the extension of the East Stand with a further 6,000 seats (raising capacity to around 30,000) and subsequently extension of the North and South Stands to reach the full proposed capacity.<ref>{{cite press release|title=Plans for stadium expansion will be submitted to the Council later this week |publisher=[[Reading F.C.]] |date=22 January 2007 |url=http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10306~968826,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120609120447/http://www.readingfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10306~968826%2C00.html |archive-date=9 June 2012 |access-date=23 January 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On 24 May 2007, it was announced that planning permission had been granted to extend the stadium to a capacity of 36,900.<ref>{{cite news | date=23 May 2007| url=http://www.reading.gov.uk/Documents/Committee_Services/Planning_Applications_Committee/-2007-2008/070523/item23-madejskistadium.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080406152702/http://www.reading.gov.uk/Documents/Committee_Services/Planning_Applications_Committee/-2007-2008/070523/item23-madejskistadium.pdf |archive-date=6 April 2008 | title=Committee Report by the Director of Environment Culture & Sport | publisher=[[Reading Borough Council]] Planning Applications Committee | access-date=23 January 2015}}</ref> The first phase will expand the East Stand by 6,600 seats. Work was set to start in mid-2008, after the initial plan of extending in 2007 was scrapped due to spectator seats being affected, during the work, already being sold to season ticket holders.

Reading's relegation from the Premier League in 2008 meant that all expansion plans were put on hold, but were revived when promotion was again achieved in 2012.<ref>{{cite web|title=Anton Zingarevich makes Reading Premier League transfer list|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/17753759|work=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|access-date=6 May 2012|date=18 April 2012}}</ref>

Plans to expand the ground were again put on hold after Reading were relegated back to the Football League Championship at the end of the 2012–13 season after a goalless draw at home to [[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|QPR]] on 28 April 2013.

In July 2021, at the beginning of the 150th anniversary season, it was announced that the Madejski Stadium had been rebranded as the Select Car Leasing Stadium for the next ten years. In honour of Sir John Madejski,  the East Stand was renamed as ''The Sir John Madejski Stand''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/2021/july/Welcome-to-the-Select-Car-Leasing-Stadium-/|title = Welcome to the Select Car Leasing Stadium!| date=16 July 2021 }}</ref>

==Structure and facilities==
[[File:The Madejski Stadium.jpg|thumb|left|The Madejski Stadium as viewed from the stadium's north stand.]]
The stadium cost more than £50m to build and the pitch incorporates a system of synthetic fibres interwoven with natural grass, installed at a cost of more than £750,000.<ref name="pitch resurfacing" /> It is built on the site of a [[landfill|landfill site]] and is surrounded by [[methane]] vents.{{cn|date=April 2023}}

The Eamonn Dolan Stand capacity is 4,946 including 25 spaces for wheelchairs.<ref name="mobile.readingfc.co.uk">http://mobile.readingfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10306~311866,00.html{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Although in use for all Reading matches, the stand was normally closed for London Irish and only opened in exceptional circumstances where demand required.

The South Stand has a capacity of 4,350 including 29 wheelchair spaces and contains an area for visiting supporters. The initial allocation visiting teams received up until the 2022–23 season was 2,127 and is the half of the stand joining onto the West Stand. The other half of the South Stand is Club 1871, a home fans member area, which encourages safe standing to create a matchday atmosphere. Under the terms of their original lease, London Irish only utilised the South Stand for the most popular matches. However, with the original renegotiation and extension of the lease, the South Stand was used for all London Irish matches with an unreserved seating plan. London Irish sold season tickets for South Stand between [[2008-09 Premiership Rugby|2008]] and [[2014–15 Premiership Rugby|2014–15]]. Since 2015, with falling attendance at London Irish, the South Stand remained closed for rugby and only opened if required.

The Sir John Madejski Stand (East) has a capacity of 7,286 including 18 spaces for wheelchairs.<ref name="mobile.readingfc.co.uk"/> The stand also contains the stadium's video screen which is located in the corner adjoining the South Stand. The stand was open for all London Irish fixtures only until the end of the [[2015–16 Premiership Rugby|2015–16 season]] and again for the [[2017–18 Premiership Rugby|2017–18]] and [[2019–20 Premiership Rugby|2019–20]] seasons.

[[File:Millenium Madejski Hotel.jpg|thumb|right|The Voco Reading Hotel, pictured when still known as the Millennium Madejski]]
The West Stand, the stadium's main stand, has a capacity of 7,579 including 15 wheelchair spaces and contains a lower and an upper tier. The upper level does not overhang the lower tier and the executive boxes are located between the two tiers. The tunnel and [[dugout (football)|dugouts]] are located in this stand. During the [[2016–17 RFU Championship|2016–17]] and [[2018–19 RFU Championship|2018–19]] seasons, the West Stand was the only stand in regular use for London Irish home games. The outside of the stand contains the Voco Reading hotel, part of [[InterContinental Hotels Group]]'s [[Voco]] chain. From the 2023–24 season the initial allocation for visiting fans will be located in the upper west corner.

==International football==
The stadium has hosted five [[England national under-21 football team|England under-21]] internationals. These were as follows.

{| class="wikitable"
!Year !! Date !! Opponents !! Result !! Attendance !! Part of
|-
|1999 || 3 September || {{fbu|21|LUX}} || 5–0 || 18,094 || [[2000 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification#Group 5|2000 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification Group 5]]
|-
|2001 || 14 August || {{fbu|21|NED}} || 4–0 || 19,467 || International friendly
|-
|2002 || 15 October || {{fbu|21|MKD|name=Macedonia}} || 3–1 || 15,500 || [[2004 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification Group 7]]
|-
|2006 || 28 February || {{fbu|21|NOR}} || 2–2 || 15,022 || International friendly
|-
|2013 || 5 September || {{fbu|21|MDA}} || 1–0 || 5,268 || [[2015 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification Group 1]]
|}

An [[England B national football team|England B]] match was also held at the stadium.<ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/teams/england/5017924.stm BBC Sport website, 25 May 2006]</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
!Year !! Date !! Home !! Result !! Away !! Attendance !! Part of
|-
|2006 || 25 May || {{flagicon|ENG}} [[England B national football team|England]] || 1–2 || {{fb|BLR}} || 22,032 || International Friendly 
|}

Other international matches.

{| class="wikitable"
!Year !! Date !! Team 1 !! Result !! Team 2 !! Attendance !! Part of
|-
|2003 || 7 September || {{fb|AUS}} || 2–1 || {{fb|JAM}} || 8,050 || International Friendly 
|-
|2013 || 7 September || {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Reading F.C.|Reading]] || 0–2 || {{fb|OMA}} || || Club v Country Friendly 
|}

==Rugby union==
[[File:London Irish at the Madejski Stadium.jpg|thumb|[[London Irish]] playing [[Wasps RFC|London Wasps]] in August 2011]]
Although a designated football stadium, the stadium was used regularly since opening for [[rugby union]]. [[Richmond F.C.|Richmond]] were the first rugby team to become Reading's tenants, using the stadium from its opening season in [[1998–99 Premiership Rugby|1998]] after outgrowing their original home of [[Athletic Ground, Richmond|Richmond Athletic Ground]]. This tenancy lasted only one season as Richmond went into administration and were nominally merged into [[London Irish]].

London Irish moved into the stadium in [[2000–01 Premiership Rugby|2000]] after a year of ground sharing with [[Harlequin F.C.|Harlequins]] at the [[Stoop Memorial Ground]] in [[Twickenham]]. On 11 January 2008, it was announced that London Irish had reached an agreement to continue playing home games at the stadium until 2026.<ref>{{cite web|title=London Irish make long term commitment to Madejski Stadium|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/berkshire/content/articles/2008/01/10/londonirish_110108_feature.shtml|website=BBC|publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=11 January 2012}}</ref> However, they were to leave after the [[2019–20 Premiership Rugby|2019–20 season]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Back in Town — The Irish are Returning to London!|url=https://www.london-irish.com/news/back-in-town-the-irish-are-returning-to-london/bp2044/|website=London Irish|date=18 December 2018|access-date=18 December 2018}}</ref> London Irish played their last game at the stadium on [[2019–20 Premiership Rugby#Round 12|1 March 2020]] when they were defeated by [[Wasps RFC|Wasps]]. The [[COVID-19 pandemic]] had disrupted the season causing a premature end to their tenancy and forcing them to return to the Stoop for the remainder of the elongated season.

Irish saw their average crowds grow to more than 11,100 after moving to Reading in 2000, holding the record for the biggest rugby union [[English Premiership (rugby union)|Premiership]] attendance at a club ground, when 23,709 people saw Irish play Wasps (then London Wasps) on 16 March 2008.<ref>{{cite news | title=Walder inspires Wasps win | date=11 January 2008| url=http://www.skysports.com/rugbyunion/match_report/0,20244,11069_2849984,00.html | work=Sky Sports}}</ref> This record stood until 19 September 2009, when [[Leicester Tigers]] opened their new stand to increase capacity to 24,000.

In addition to London Irish home matches, the stadium has also hosted several knock out phases of European cup rugby where a neutral ground was required or where teams were required to play at a larger capacity ground.

{| class="wikitable"
!Year !! Date !! Home !! Score!! Away !! Attendance !! Competition
|-
|[[2000–01 European Challenge Cup|2000]] || 20 May || '''[[NEC Harlequins]]''' {{flagicon|ENG}} || 42–33 ||{{flagicon|FRA}} [[RC Narbonne|Narbonne]]|| 11,211 || [[2000–01 European Challenge Cup#Final|2000–01 European Challenge Cup Final]]
|-
|[[2002–03 European Challenge Cup|2003]] || 25 May || [[Bath Rugby|Bath]] {{flagicon|ENG}} || 30–48 || {{flagicon|ENG}} '''[[Wasps RFC|London Wasps]]''' || 18,074 || [[2002–03 European Challenge Cup#Final|2002–03 Parker Pen Challenge Cup Final]]
|-
|[[2003–04 European Challenge Cup|2004]] || 22 May || [[ASM Clermont Auvergne|Montferrand]] {{flagicon|FRA}} || 26–27 || {{flagicon|ENG}} '''[[NEC Harlequins]]''' || 13,123 || [[2003–04 European Challenge Cup#Final|2003–04 Parker Pen Challenge Cup Final]]
|-
|[[2015–16 European Rugby Champions Cup|2016]] || 23 April || '''[[Saracens F.C.|Saracens]]''' {{flagicon|ENG}} || 24–17 || {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Wasps RFC|Wasps]] || 16,820 || [[2015–16 European Rugby Champions Cup#Semi-finals|2015–16 European Champions Cup Semi-final]]
|}

==Music==
Besides football, the Madejski Stadium can be configured to hold other events, including concerts.

On 13 June 2004, [[Busted (band)|Busted]] played at the Madejski Stadium, with an attendance of 20,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.getreading.co.uk/news/local-news/youre-so-busted-4267508|title=You're so busted|publisher=[[Get Reading]]|date=14 June 2004|access-date=5 June 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.concertarchives.org/venues/madejski-stadium-870db68a-95c4-41ee-a1c1-48c2dbb22068|title=Madejski Stadium Concert History|publisher=Concert Archives|access-date=5 June 2024}}</ref>

On 26 May 2005, [[Elton John]] played at the Madejski Stadium in front of a crowd of 24,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/berkshire/content/articles/2005/05/27/elton_john_review_feature.shtml|title=Review: Elton John|publisher=[[BBC Berkshire]]|access-date=5 June 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.getreading.co.uk/news/berkshire-history/pick-past-elton-john-concert-10980512|title=Pick of the Past: Elton John concert at the Mad Stad|publisher=[[Get Reading]]|date=2 March 2016|access-date=5 June 2024}}</ref> Reading FC supporters were given priority, with tickets going on sale on the 9 December 2004 ahead of the general sale on 14 December.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thefootballnetwork.net/main/s253/st62339.htm|title=Elton John at the Mad Stad|publisher=The Football Network|date=3 December 2004|access-date=5 June 2024}}</ref> This was followed by XS Madness on 6 June, attended by 9,000. The event featured multiple performers including [[McFly]], [[Rachel Stevens]], [[Charlotte Church]], [[Bananarama]] and [[Melanie C]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.concertarchives.org/concerts/xs-madness|title=XS Madness|publisher=Concert Archives|access-date=5 June 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/berkshire/content/articles/2005/05/09/summerxs_feature.shtml|title=PHOTOS: Summer XS 2005|publisher=[[BBC Berkshire]]|access-date=5 June 2024}}</ref>

[[Luciano Pavarotti]] was due to perform the stadium on 1 July 2006, after being delayed from the 11 June due the singer's neck surgery to repair two vertebrae.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4439877.stm|title=Surgery delays Pavarotti concerts|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=13 April 2005|access-date=5 June 2024}}</ref> His final public performance was at [[2006 Winter Olympics opening ceremony|opening ceremony]] of the [[2006 Winter Olympics]] in [[Turin]], before his death in 2007 from [[pancreatic cancer]]. He underwent surgery in early July 2006, with all his remaining concerts being cancelled.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7336046.stm|title=Pavarotti faked final performance|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=8 April 2008|access-date=5 June 2024}}</ref>

On 3 July 2006, the [[Red Hot Chili Peppers]] played the Madejski Stadium as part of their [[Stadium Arcadium World Tour]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Red Hot Chili Peppers Setlist |url=https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/red-hot-chili-peppers/2006/madejski-stadium-reading-england-5bd73bd0.html |website=setlist.fm/ |publisher=Setlist FM |access-date=17 July 2021 |date=3 July 2006}}</ref> with a crowd of 28,000 turning up for the event.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/berkshire/content/articles/2006/07/04/red_hot_chili_peppers_review_feature.shtml|title=Red Hot Chili Peppers|publisher=[[BBC Berkshire]]|date=3 July 2006|access-date=5 June 2024}}</ref>

On 1 June 2013, the AllStarz Summer Party was held. [[JLS]] performed, with the headliner being [[Jessie J]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/music/jessie-j-headline-allstarz-summer-4191301|title=Jessie J to headline AllStarz Summer Party at the Madejski Stadium|publisher=[[Get Reading]]|date=21 March 2013|access-date=5 June 2024}}</ref>

==Other uses==
The Madejski was selected as the venue for a charity friendly football match on 3 May 2006, featuring celebrities and football legends from England and Germany. The Match, named ''England vs Germany: The Legends'' was held to raise money for the Bobby Moore Fund and the [[British Red Cross]] and to celebrate the fortieth anniversary of England winning the [[1966 World Cup]]. The German team won the match 4–2, in an exact reversal of the score from 1966, in front of a crowd of 20,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4970948.stm|title=Germany in 1966-style charity win|work=BBC News|date=3 May 2006|access-date=19 June 2018}}</ref>

The stadium is also the final venue for the Reading Senior Cup.<ref>{{cite web|title=Wokingham & Emmbrook win Reading Senior Cup|url=http://www.bracknellnews.co.uk/sport/roundup/articles/2012/05/22/59767-wokingham--emmbrook-win-reading-senior-cup/|work=Berkshire Media Group|publisher=Bracnell News|access-date=21 January 2013|date=22 May 2012}}</ref>

Runners finishing the [[Reading Half Marathon]] cross the finish line inside the stadium. The stadium is also used as a hub for pre- and post-event services e.g. public transport terminus and bag drop during the day of the event.

A match from the [[2000 Rugby League World Cup]] was also held here.

{| class="wikitable"
!Year !! Date !! Team 1 !! Score!! Team 2 !! Attendance !! Part of
|-
|2000 || 2 November || '''{{Rl-rt|New Zealand}}'''|| 84–10 || {{Rl|Cook Islands}} || 3,982 || [[2000 Rugby League World Cup#Group 2|2000 Rugby League World Cup Group 2]] 
|}
From February 2021 onwards, the stadium was used by the [[National Health Service|NHS]] as a mass vaccination centre as part of the nationwide vaccine rollout, at the height of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mass vaccination centre opens at Madejski Stadium {{!}} Healthwatch Reading |url=https://healthwatchreading.co.uk/news/2021-02-22/mass-vaccination-centre-opens-madejski-stadium |access-date=6 August 2022 |website=healthwatchreading.co.uk}}</ref>

==Records==
The highest attendance at the stadium was 24,184 (apparently exceeding the stadium's stated capacity) on 17 November 2012 for the Premier League game with [[Everton F.C.|Everton]] beating the previous record of 24,160 set on 16 September 2012 for the Premier League game with [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]]. The highest attendance for a cup match at the stadium was 24,107 on 3 December 2003 for the [[Football League Cup]] match with [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Highest Attendances|url=http://www.royalsrecord.co.uk/seasons/attend.html|publisher=Royals Record|access-date=27 May 2012|archive-date=16 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190516064919/http://www.royalsrecord.co.uk/seasons/attend.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Highest attendances===
{| class="wikitable"
|-style="font-size:normal"
!class="unsortable"| !!Opponent !!Competition !!Date !!Attendance  !!Notes
|-
|1
|[[Everton F.C.|Everton]]
|[[2012–13 Premier League]]
|17 November 2012
|24,184
|Stadium's stated capacity at the time was 24,242
|-
|2
|[[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]]
|[[2012–13 Premier League]]
|29 December 2012
|24,183
|Stadium's stated capacity at the time was 24,242
|-
|3
|[[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]]
|[[2012–13 Premier League]]
|16 September 2012
|24,160
|
|-
|4
|[[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]
|[[2007–08 Premier League]]
|19 January 2008
|24,134
|
|-
|5
|[[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]]
|[[2007–08 Premier League]]
|3 May 2008
|24,125
|
|-
|6
|[[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]]
|[[2006–07 Premier League]]
|10 February 2007
|24,122
|
|-
|7
|[[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]
|[[2006–07 Premier League]]
|7 April 2007
|24,121
|
|-
|8
|[[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]]
|[[2007–08 Premier League]]
|27 October 2007
|24,119
|
|-
|9
|[[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]]
|[[2007–08 Premier League]]
|12 April 2008
|24,112
|
|-
|10
|[[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]]
|[[2006–07 Premier League]]
|12 November 2006
|24,110
|
|-
|11
|[[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]]
|[[2006–07 Premier League]]
|30 April 2007
|24,109
|
|-
|12
|[[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]]
|[[2003–04 Football League Cup]]
|3 December 2003
|24,107
|
|}

===Attendances by season===
{| class="wikitable"
|-style="font-size:normal"
!rowspan="3"|Season
!colspan="6"|[[Reading F.C.|Reading]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.european-football-statistics.co.uk/attnclub/read.htm|title=Reading FC|publisher=european-football-statistics.co.uk|access-date=19 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619113327/http://www.european-football-statistics.co.uk/attnclub/read.htm|archive-date=19 June 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
!colspan="6"|[[Richmond F.C.|Richmond]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rugby.statbunker.com/competitions/HomeAttendance?comp_id=581|title=Statbunker » Gallagher Premiership 18/19 » Home attendance|work=statbunker.com|access-date=9 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://rugby.statbunker.com/competitions/HomeAttendance?comp_id=582|title=Statbunker » Championship 18/19 » Home attendance|work=statbunker.com|access-date=9 June 2019}}</ref>
|-
!colspan="2"|Average attendance{{refn|group=lower-alpha|name=Average|The average attendance figure includes league matches only.}}
!colspan="4"|Highest attendance
!colspan="2"|Average attendance{{refn|group=lower-alpha|name=Average}}{{refn|group=lower-alpha|name=London Irish|Since 2004, London Irish have played a Premiership home match at [[Twickenham Stadium]], [[London]] as part of the [[London Double Header]]. These matches are removed from the highest and average attendance figures to show only the highest and average attendances at the Madejski Stadium.}}
!colspan="4"|Highest attendance{{refn|group=lower-alpha|name=London Irish}}
|-
!Division
!{{Tooltip|Ave.|Average league attendance (percentage change in brackets)}}
!Date
!Opponent
!Competition
!{{Tooltip|Att.|Attendance}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Reading FC Match Reports|url=http://www.royals.org/matches.html|publisher=[[Hob Nob Anyone?]]|access-date=13 July 2017}}</ref>
!Division
!{{Tooltip|Ave.|Average league attendance (percentage change in brackets)}}
!Date
!Opponent
!Competition
!{{Tooltip|Att.|Attendance}}
|-
|[[1998–99 Reading F.C. season|1998–99]]
|[[Football League Division Two|Division Two]]
|11,262 ({{increase}}{{small|16%}})
|27 March
|[[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]]
|[[1998–99 Football League#Second Division|Division Two]]
|20,055
|[[Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
|7,205 ({{increase}})
|26 December
|[[London Irish]]
|[[1998–99 Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
|9,621
|-
|[[1999–2000 Reading F.C. season|1999–2000]]
|[[Football League Division Two|Division Two]]
|8,985 ({{decrease}}{{small|20%}})
|7 August
|[[Bristol City F.C.|Bristol City]]
|[[1999–2000 Football League#Second Division|Division Two]]
|13,348
!colspan=6|[[London Irish]]
|-
|[[2000–01 Reading F.C. season|2000–01]]
|[[Football League Division Two|Division Two]]
|12,647	({{increase}}{{small|41%}})
|16 May
|[[Wigan Athletic FC|Wigan Athletic]]
|[[2001 Football League play-offs#Second Division|Division Two play-offs]]
|22,034
|[[Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
|6,305 ({{increase}})
|17 March
|[[Northampton Saints]]
|[[2000–01 Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
|12,037
|-
|[[2001–02 Reading F.C. season|2001–02]]
|[[Football League Division Two|Division Two]]
|14,115	({{increase}}{{small|12%}})
|13 April
|[[Peterborough United F.C.|Peterborough United]]
|[[2001–02 Football League#Second Division|Division Two]]
|22,151
|[[Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
|7,254 ({{increase}})
|16 March
|[[Bristol Rugby|Bristol]]
|[[2001–02 Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
|12,873
|-
|[[2002–03 Reading F.C. season|2002–03]]
|[[Football League Division One|Division One]]
|16,011 ({{increase}}{{small|13%}})
|14 May
|[[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolverhampton Wanderers]]
|[[2003 Football League play-offs#First Division|Division One play-offs]]
|24,060
|[[Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
|9,916 ({{increase}})
|15 March
|[[Harlequins FC|Harlequins]]
|[[2002–03 Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
|18,585
|-
|[[2003–04 Reading F.C. season|2003–04]]
|[[Football League Division One|Division One]]
|15,095 ({{decrease}}{{small|6%}})
|3 December
|[[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]]
|[[2003–04 Football League Cup|League Cup]]
|24,107
|[[Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
|10,571 ({{increase}})
|21 March
|[[Bath Rugby|Bath]]
|[[2003–04 Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
|20,840
|-
|[[2004–05 Reading F.C. season|2004–05]]
|[[EFL Championship|Championship]]
|17,169 ({{increase}}{{small|14%}})
|22 January
|[[Ipswich Town F.C.|Ipswich Town]]
|[[2004–05 Football League Championship|Championship]]
|23,203
|[[Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
|10,312 ({{decrease}})
|26 March
|[[Gloucester Rugby|Gloucester]]
|[[2004–05 Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
|17,111
|-
|[[2005–06 Reading F.C. season|2005–06]]
|[[EFL Championship|Championship]]
|20,207 ({{increase}}{{small|18%}})
|10 February
|[[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]]
|[[2005–06 Football League Championship|Championship]]
|23,845
|[[Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
|10,953 ({{increase}})
|25 March
|[[Sale Sharks]]
|[[2005–06 Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
|19,884
|-
|[[2006–07 Reading F.C. season|2006–07]]
|[[Premier League]]
|23,829 ({{increase}}{{small|18%}})
|10 February
|[[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]]
|[[2006–07 FA Premier League|Premiership]]
|24,122
|[[Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
|10,731 ({{decrease}})
|18 March
|[[London Wasps]]
|[[2006–07 Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
|22,648
|-
|[[2007–08 Reading F.C. season|2007–08]]
|[[Premier League]]
|23,585 ({{decrease}}{{small|1%}})
|19 January
|[[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]
|[[2007–08 Premier League|Premier League]]
|24,135
|[[Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
|9,950 ({{decrease}})
|16 March
|[[London Wasps]]
|[[2007–08 Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
|23,709
|-
|[[2008–09 Reading F.C. season|2008–09]]
|[[EFL Championship|Championship]]
|19,936 ({{decrease}}{{small|16%}})
|3 May
|[[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]]
|[[2008–09 Football League Championship|Championship]]
|23,879
|[[Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
|11,378 ({{increase}})
|22 March
|[[Northampton Saints]]
|[[2008–09 Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
|21,295
|-
|[[2009–10 Reading F.C. season|2009–10]]
|[[EFL Championship|Championship]]
|17,408 ({{decrease}}{{small|13%}})
|2 January
|[[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]
|[[2009–10 FA Cup|FA Cup]]
|23,656
|[[Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
|14,303 ({{increase}})
|28 March
|[[Sale Sharks]]
|[[2009–10 Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
|21,535
|-
|[[2010–11 Reading F.C. season|2010–11]]
|[[EFL Championship|Championship]]
|17,682	({{increase}}{{small|2%}})
|27 November
|[[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]]
|[[2010–11 Football League Championship|Championship]]
|23,677
|[[Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
|10,339 ({{decrease}})
|26 March
|[[Exeter Chiefs]]
|[[2010–11 Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
|20,011
|-
|[[2011–12 Reading F.C. season|2011–12]]
|[[EFL Championship|Championship]]
|19,219 ({{increase}}{{small|9%}})
|10 December
|[[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]]
|[[2011–12 Football League Championship|Championship]]
|24,026
|[[Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
|10,398 ({{increase}})
|25 March
|[[Leicester Tigers]]
|[[2011–12 Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
|20,905
|-
|[[2012–13 Reading F.C. season|2012–13]]
|[[Premier League]]
|23,862 ({{increase}}{{small|24%}})
|17 November
|[[Everton F.C.|Everton]]
|[[2012–13 Premier League|Premier League]]
|24,184
|[[Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
|9,471 ({{decrease}})
|23 March
|[[Worcester Warriors]]
|[[2012–13 Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
|19,523
|-
|[[2013–14 Reading F.C. season|2013–14]]
|[[EFL Championship|Championship]]
|19,171 ({{decrease}}{{small|20%}})
|3 May
|[[Burnley F.C.|Burnley]]
|[[2013–14 Football League Championship|Championship]]
|23,335
|[[Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
|9,243 ({{decrease}})
|22 March
|[[Bath Rugby|Bath]]
|[[2013–14 Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
|22,361
|-
|[[2014–15 Reading F.C. season|2014–15]]
|[[EFL Championship|Championship]]
|17,022 ({{decrease}}{{small|11%}})
|16 March
|[[Bradford City A.F.C.|Bradford City]]
|[[2014–15 FA Cup|FA Cup]]
|22,908
|[[Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
|8,943 ({{decrease}})
|28 March
|[[Newcastle Falcons]]
|[[2014–15 Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
|15,731
|-
|[[2015–16 Reading F.C. season|2015–16]]
|[[EFL Championship|Championship]]
|17,285 ({{increase}}{{small|2%}})
|11 March
|[[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]]
|[[2015–16 FA Cup|FA Cup]]
|23,110
|[[Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
|8,749 ({{decrease}})
|20 March
|[[Gloucester Rugby|Gloucester]]
|[[2015–16 Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
|17,752
|-
|[[2016–17 Reading F.C. season|2016–17]]
|[[EFL Championship|Championship]]
|17,505 ({{increase}}{{small|1%}})
|1 April
|[[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]]
|[[2016–17 Football League Championship|Championship]]
|23,055
|[[RFU Championship|Championship]]
|4,005 ({{decrease}})
|18 March
|[[Cornish Pirates]]
|[[2016–17 RFU Championship|Championship]]
|11,671
|-
|[[2017–18 Reading F.C. season|2017–18]]
|[[EFL Championship|Championship]]
|16,656 ({{decrease}}{{small|5%}})
|23 December
|[[Burton Albion F.C.|Burton Albion]]
|[[2017–18 Football League Championship|Championship]]
|21,771
|[[Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
|7,748 ({{increase}})
|24 March
|[[Gloucester Rugby|Gloucester]]
|[[2017–18 Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
|15,274
|-
|[[2018–19 Reading F.C. season|2018–19]]
|[[EFL Championship|Championship]]
|14,991 ({{decrease}}{{small|10%}})
|22 April
|[[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]]
|[[2018–19 EFL Championship|Championship]]
|17,255
|[[RFU Championship|Championship]]
|3,770 ({{decrease}})
|23 March
|[[Doncaster Knights]]
|[[2018–19 RFU Championship|Championship]]
|10,106
|-
|[[2019–20 Reading F.C. season|2019–20]]
|[[EFL Championship|Championship]]
|11,969 ({{decrease}})
|26 November
|[[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]]
|[[2019–20 EFL Championship|Championship]]
|16,918
|[[Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
|4,535 ({{decrease}})
|22 December
|[[Bath Rugby|Bath]]
|[[2019–20 Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
|9,259
|-
!colspan=7|
!colspan=6|[[Reading F.C. Women|Reading Women]]
|-
|[[2020–21 Reading F.C. season|2020–21]]
|[[EFL Championship|Championship]]
|240 ({{decrease}})
|5 December, <br> 9 December, <br> 16 December
|[[Nottingham Forest F.C.|Nottingham Forest]], <br> [[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]], <br> [[Norwich City F.C.|Norwich City]]
|[[2020–21 EFL Championship|Championship]]
|2,000 
|[[Women's Super League]]
|81 ({{decrease}})
|13 December
|[[Manchester United W.F.C.|Manchester United]]
|[[2020–21 FA WSL|Women's Super League]]
|623
|-
|[[2021–22 Reading F.C. season|2021–22]]
|[[EFL Championship|Championship]]
|12,852 ({{increase}})
|12 February
|[[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry City]]
|[[2021–22 EFL Championship|Championship]]
|22,692
|[[Women's Super League]]
|790 ({{increase}})
|12 September
|[[Arsenal W.F.C.|Arsenal]]
|[[2021–22 FA WSL|Women's Super League]]
|1,127
|-
|[[2022–23 Reading F.C. season|2022–23]]
|[[EFL Championship|Championship]]
|13,449 ({{increase}})
|29 April
|[[Wigan Athletic F.C.|Wigan Athletic]]
|[[2022–23 EFL Championship|Championship]]
|21,919
|[[Women's Super League]]
|2,286 ({{increase}})
|27 May
|[[Chelsea F.C. Women|Chelsea]]
|[[2022–23 Women's Super League|Women's Super League]]
|6,305
|-
|[[2023–24 Reading F.C. season|2023–24]]
|[[EFL League One|League One]]
|13,159 ({{decrease}})<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/league-one/attendances/2023-2024|title=Sky Bet League One – Average Attendances – Home Matches|publisher=Football Web Pages|access-date=6 June 2024}}</ref>
|27 April
|[[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]]
|[[2023–24 EFL League One|League One]]
|18,480<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/reading/attendances/2023-2024|title=Reading – Home Attendances|publisher=Football Web Pages|access-date=6 June 2024}}</ref>
|}
'''Notes'''
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

==Transport==
On Reading match days, the stadium is served by a network of special bus services provided by [[Reading Buses]] and [[Stagecoach Group|Stagecoach Buses]]. Two of these (Reading Buses F1 and F2) provide regular shuttle services from [[Reading railway station]] and from a park and ride site at Shinfield Park respectively. Fourteen further Reading Bus services provide links from various Reading suburbs and nearby towns and villages, including [[Newbury, Berkshire|Newbury]] and [[Henley on Thames]]. Stagecoach services provide links from [[Basingstoke]], [[Farnborough, Hampshire|Farnborough]], [[Wokingham]] and [[Bracknell]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/article/busestrains-for-madejski-stadium-958173.aspx | title = Buses/Trains for Madejski Stadium | publisher = Reading Football Club | access-date = 1 June 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Football Buses - Times and fare information for the 2014/15 season | url = http://www.reading-buses.co.uk/football/ | publisher = Reading Buses | access-date = 1 June 2015}}</ref>

When no matches are taking place, the stadium can be reached from Reading town centre using Reading Buses ''Greenwave'' services.<ref>{{cite web | title = Rugby Buses | url = http://www.reading-buses.co.uk/rugby-buses/ | publisher = Reading Buses | access-date = 1 June 2015 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150622175611/http://www.reading-buses.co.uk/rugby-buses/ | archive-date = 22 June 2015 | df = dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Greenwave Madjeski Stadium Park & Ride | url = http://www.reading-buses.co.uk/files/timetables/1%20sept%2014/madejski%20times.pdf | publisher = Reading Buses | access-date = 1 June 2015 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160110181420/http://www.reading-buses.co.uk/files/timetables/1%20sept%2014/madejski%20times.pdf | archive-date = 10 January 2016 | df = dmy-all }}</ref>

The stadium is also close to [[Reading Green Park railway station]], which also serves the adjacent [[Green Park Business Park]]. It is on the [[Reading–Basingstoke line]] and opened in May 2023.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/breath-taking-aerial-footage-shows-entirety-of-new-reading-green-park-station | title = Breath-taking aerial footage shows entirety of new Reading Green Park Station | website = [[Network Rail]] | date = 10 November 2022 | accessdate = 6 January 2023}}</ref> The new station is just under a {{convert|1|mi|km|adj=on}} walk from the stadium.

==See also==
*[[Lists of stadiums]]
*[[List of football stadiums in England]]

==References==
;Notes
{{Reflist|30em}}

;Bibliography
{{refbegin}}
*{{citation|last=Digby|first=Bob|title=It's a World Thing|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KiY5mSUAFO0C|year=2001|location=Oxford, Oxfordshire|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=0199134286|access-date=2 June 2011}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Madejski Stadium}}
*[https://www.readingfc.co.uk/club/select-car-leasing-stadium] from Reading FC official website

{{Reading F.C.}}
{{EFL League One venues}}
{{Premier League venues}}
{{2000 RLWC Venues}}

[[Category:Football venues in England]]
[[Category:Sports venues in Reading, Berkshire]]
[[Category:Premier League venues]]
[[Category:Defunct rugby union venues in England]]
[[Category:Reading F.C.]]
[[Category:London Irish]]
[[Category:Sports venues completed in 1998]]
[[Category:English Football League venues]]
[[Category:1998 establishments in England]]
[[Category:Women's Super League venues]]