London Irish

Click on the PDF icon to download a printable map showing directions to the Madejski Stadium.

For people wishing to visit the offices of London Irish on non-match days, please note that these are in Sunbury. Click here for Sunbury directions

The Madejski Stadium, a 24,200 capacity all-seater 'bowl' design, opened in August 1998 and has quickly established a reputation as one of the best of its kind.

Built to a total cost of £50m, the Stadium complex also houses a first class Conference Centre and four-star deluxe hotel, and ESPN recently voted the stadium as the best mid-sized arena in Europe. In addition, in the summer of 1999 'Match of the Day' magazine readers voted the Stadium as the third best stadium in the country behind Old Trafford and Highbury!

There has also been national and international recognition as the Stadium was chosen to host England under 21 football internationals, the Rugby Union 2001 European Shield Final and the Rugby League World Cup fixture between New Zealand and the Cook Islands in November 2000.

The Stadium is named after Reading Football Club Chairman John Madejski OBE, DL who successfully founded the 'Auto Trader' magazine and contributed a significant amount of his personal fortune to the construction of the Stadium.

Madejski Stadium is located less than a mile from Junction 11 of the M4, and has more than 2,000 parking spaces. On football matchdays, parking facilities are also available at the nearby Compaq offices and Reading Speedway Stadium. Shuttle bus services from the town centre are also available to supporters.

The A33 relief road gives a direct link from the motorway, but the roads in the area are very busy, and queuing can be expected exiting the M4 and then all the way to the Stadium. Car parking is extensive, but very popular and under extreme demand, so travelling by train to Reading Central and then by shuttle bus is recommended whenever possible.

"The only corner of heaven on Earth can now be formally identified. It is an old rubbish tip beside the drumming infinity of the M4 in the Royal County of Berkshire. Rival claims will not be entertained for the time being." - Bryon Butler, Daily Telegraph

Instructions:

Click on the buttons on the bar above for links to other web sites which have route planners and helpful information on getting to London Irish. Click on the globe for a Google Map Satellite image of the stadium. You will also be able to use Google's route planner to map your journey.

By Road:

From the M4:

The Madejski Stadium can be approached from the A33 Reading Relief Road which links to the M4 Motorway.

Exit the M4 at Junction 11, heading for Reading on the A33. At the first roundabout, take the 2nd left onto the Reading Relief Road, passing the Stadium on your left. At the next roundabout (past McDonalds) take the first left onto Northern Way and follow signs to car parks. xx

Parking:

Red Car Park at the Madejski Stadium

There is limited car park availability at the Stadium in the Red Car Park. The cost of parking is £8 and operates on a 'first come first serve basis. '

The Worton Grange (formally HP)

Car park will open on a match by match basis.

Imperial Way Roundabout A33: Signposted Matchday Parking. Ten minutes walk from the stadium. Directions: From Junction 11, M4, proceed towards Reading along the A33 dual carriageway, turn right at the 1st major roundabout onto Imperial Way and Worton Grange car park will be visible on the right hand corner. 1000 spaces £8 tariff.

Town Centre car parks and Railway Station Bus Service

Parking available within town centre car parks (appropriate parking fee applies).

Garrard Street Reading Station

Reading Station return (shuttle) buses - Fastrack frequent service starts from outside the Railway Station, two hours prior to kick off. £3.00 Adult return, £1.50 Child return and £4.50 Family of 5. The return service leaves from the bus stop near the stadium in Northern Way.

By Rail:

Great Western Trains

Leave London Paddington at least 5 times per hour and take approximately 23 minutes. www.greatwesterntrains.co.uk

South West Trains

South West Trains from London Waterloo to Reading take approximately 90 minutes via Clapham Junction, Putney, Richmond, Twickenham, Egham, Bracknell and Wokingham amongst other mainline stations. www.southwesttrains.com

Virgin Trains

Virgin Trains travel via Reading from London Paddington. www.virgin.com

For general train timetable enquiries, call 08457 48 49 50, or go to National Rail's online timetable at www.nationalrail.co.uk or click on the train icon above.

Reading Station return (shuttle) buses: Fastrack frequent service starts from outside the Railway Station, two hours prior to kick off. £3 adult return (£1.70 single), £1.50 child return (£1 single) or £4.50 family return (up to 3 adults). The return service leaves from the bus stop near the stadium in Northern Way.