WHAT'S ON: London Irish v Sale Sharks

London Irish are back at the Madejski Stadium for the first home fixture of the Gallagher Premiership, as they welcome Sale Sharks in Round 2. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the game…

Tickets

Tickets are available from just £24 for adults and £5 for kids if you book in advance by calling the Ticket Office on 0118 968 1016 or online by clicking here.

• There is a 25% discount for 10 or more adults.
• All ticket prices increase by £3 on the day.
• For full information on ticket pricing, including match day prices, please click here.

Hospitality

Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion, entertaining clients or simply looking for an enhanced match day experience, we have a hospitality offering perfect for you.

Why not try our new 1898 Club? The recently refurbished lounge offers a contemporary and stylish environment to enjoy a delicious lunch, pre-match player Q&A and panoramic views of the pitch.

With packages from just £49 + VAT per person we have something to suit every budget. Click here to find out more about the hospitality packages we have available, and email [email protected] to book.

London Irish Halloween Spooktacular!

The Halloween Spooktacular is back! London Irish will be getting into the Halloween spirit at this weekend’s fixture. With the game falling days before Halloween, there will be plenty going on before, during and after the match.

Following the success of last season’s Halloween themed fixture against Cornish Pirates, the club are pulling out all the stops to make this season’s spooky spectacle even bigger and better than before.

Supporters of all ages are invited to join us for an afternoon of activities, entertainment and what is set to be a highly competitive Gallagher Premiership game.

Of course, Halloween isn’t complete without fancy dress! Supporters both young and old are encouraged to dig out their costumes and get creative.

Return of the Reptiles!

Back by popular demand and a supporters’ favourite last year, we will have a selection of creepy crawlies and reptiles in attendance pre-match. Head to the North Stand between 12:30 and 14:30. You can even touch them, if you’re not scared!

Digger’s Dugout

Digger’s Dugout will be turned into a creepy corner of activities in the North Stand concourse. As well as the usual inflatables and games, there will also be Halloween themed face painting and pumpkin decorating.

The Craic is Back!

Back in the North Stand concourse after the final whistle, the brilliant Paul Bowen Band will be performing to keep the party going after the game.

Ghoulish Guard of Honour

Any junior supporters who are embracing eerie attire will be invited to join the Guard of Honour and cheer the team onto the pitch.

Half-time ‘Trick or Treat’ Challenge

We’re encouraging supporters to volunteer to take part in our half-time high ball challenge - Halloween edition! Our competitor will have to catch a high ball wearing inflatable boxing gloves, with a ‘trick or treat’ twist…

To register your interest, email [email protected] by midnight on Wednesday 23 October.

Player Signing Session

Players will be at the gazebo in the Supporter Village at 13.45pm for autographs and selfies!

Charity

We’re delighted to have The Elizabeth Foundation attending the match. The foundation helps young, deaf children learn to listen and talk.

If you see any volunteers from The Elizabeth Foundation please have a chat about the great work they do, and donate if you can.

Big Screen

If you would like a message, whether it be birthday or Halloween, to be shown on the big screen during half-time, please email your message to [email protected] by midnight on Wednesday 23 October.

Merchandise Store

For the 2019/20 season we are operating our own, dedicated, 700 square foot London Irish Store at the Madejski Stadium selling BLK replica, leisurewear and gifts. You can find it in the VIP car park outside the ticket office.

Programme

Keep your eyes peeled for this weekend’s Official London Irish programme! It will be on sale for £3.50 from the programme sellers outside each set of turnstiles (Gates 1, 3, 7 & 8).

If you can’t make it to the game, you can download the programme from MatchDayInfo, click here for more information.

Food & drink

There are a number of kiosks in the East Stand, Lower West Stand and Upper West Stand concourses selling a range of food and drink options including pies, hot dogs, wraps, gourmet burgers, pizza and soup, as well as crisps, chocolate bars and sweets.

A selection of hot drinks, soft drinks and alcoholic drinks are also available from the concourse kiosks including draught bitter, lager and cider.

All of the concourse bars now accept contactless payment. Most kiosks will have one till that will still be accepting cash payment. Please refer to the signage surrounding the kiosks.

Please note, the early bird meal offer will not be running in the Windsor Lounge this season.

Travel

By car:

Parking is £10 at the stadium subject to availability. You can pre-book car parking through the ticket office by calling 0118 968 1016 or online at ticketing.londonirish.net up to 3pm on Wednesday 23 October.

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. Click here for a map.

By bus & rail:

Reading Buses operate a frequent R1 service between the Southwest Interchange bus station by Reading Station and the Madejski Stadium on match days.

Buses depart from the Southwest Interchange up to 3 hours before kick-off and work as a frequent service until roughly 20 minutes before kick-off. 

Returning from the Madejski, services depart from Northern Way after full-time and operate for around two and a half hours. For more information on the additional bus services provided for London Irish match days, click here.

The buses will accept cash or contactless payment. It is £4.50 for an adult return, £2.50 for a boost return (18 & under) and £5 for a group return (four passengers travelling together).

PLEASE NOTE:

The South Western Railway has planned engineering works on Saturday with no lines running between Bracknell and Reading. Buses will replace train services between Bracknell and Reading. Trains between Bracknell and London Waterloo will also be altered due to work in the London area. Services between London Waterloo and Reading will be altered due to work in the Reading area. Please click here for more information on South Western Railway disruption.

There is also planned engineering works on some Great Western Railway lines, please click here for more information.

Security

Please be aware that stewards will be carrying out bag checks on entry to the stadium. We encourage you to only bring a bag if necessary and to leave extra time to enter the stadium. Please note that alcohol is not permitted to be brought into the stadium.

If you aren't able to make it to the game, you can follow the action at the MadStad on Twitter (@LiRFC).