QPR travel to Reading for a Thursday night match this week, and as if Sky’s irritating scheduling wasn’t enough we learnt today that the M4 will be closed after the game.
Ground Name: Madejski Stadum
Capacity: 24,200 (all seated)
Address: Bennett Road, Reading, RG2 0FL
Main Telephone No: 0118 968 1100
Ticket Office: 0870 999 1871
Usually a very simple 40 mile drive out of West London on the M4 — the ground is right next to junction 11 — leave there and follow the A33 straight to the ground. However, in their wisdom, the Highways Agency has picked this week to close the entire motorway from 21.00 for five nights between junctions 10 and 11. More details here.
The local advice via the ongoing message board thread is: "Turn left out of the stadium, head towards town centre, pick up the A4 towards Maidenhead and get back on the M4 at junction 8/9.”
Without wishing to state the bleedin obvious the earlier you get there the more choice you will have. Early street parking is available on Imperial Way between the motorway and the ground, and a number of businesses, factories and warehouses offer their car parks up — although the guide says some charge as much as £7 per car. Street parking in the adjacent business park can result in clamping. There is parking at the motorway junction with a bus up to the ground.
Trains every ten minutes or so from Paddington with a cost of £18.10 off peak day return. Careful which one you get on, some have a journey time of 55 minutes while the majority are between 26 and 30. Trains run frequently until 01.00 and then once an hour after that should you wish to stick around. Trains also run out of Waterloo through Clapham, Richmond, Twickenham, Feltham and Staines.
The ground is not really walkable from the station but bus transport is provided for supporters — bit of a ball ache after the match though in my experience.
The official club coach will depart Loftus Road at 16.00 with a 16.30 pick up at The Target Roundabout - priced at £26 Adults, £16 Senior O60s / Young Adults U21, £14 Under 16. The usual discounts apply to season ticket holders.
Beer in the ground or in the Irish-themed bar at the nearby Holiday Inn, but otherwise drinking is best done in London before travelling or in the middle of Reading after arriving by train. The Three Guineas near the railway station is traditionally the away fans pub.
Rangers have 1,392 tickets behind the goal priced £25 adults, £17 for seniors and young adults aged between 17 and 21 and £10 for under 16s. These increase by £2 in the first two categories and £1 in the latter for non-season ticket holders and members for some reason. There are also 84 tickets available in a mixed family area at the same price — adults must be accompanied by a child and they must be booked in advance. Concession tickets will be asked for proof of age at the turnstile apparently. The R’s have 14 wheelchair and ambulant disabled tickets at the above prices.
Tickets are now on general sale.
Links >>> Detailed fans' guide to the Madejski Stadium >>> Official website >>> LFW Awaydays — Madejski Stadium
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