Pre-Season Match Cancelled
Reading FC's pre-season match against Charlton Athletic has been cancelled due to the pitch not being ready. The match was due to be played at the Select Car Leasing Stadium on Saturday, but the club has decided to relocate it to The Valley, where it will be played behind closed doors at 2pm.
Why it matters for Reading
The decision to cancel the match is a significant one for Reading FC, as it means that the team will not be able to play in front of their home fans. However, the club has said that the priority is to have the pitch in the best possible condition for the start of the league season.
What comes next?
The match will now be streamed live and for free, allowing supporters to watch the Royals' final pre-season outing ahead of the new campaign. Full details on how to watch will be confirmed through the Club's official channels ahead of kick-off.
Reading FC Co-Chief Executive Officer Joe Jacobson said: "This is not a decision anyone at the Club wanted to make, but it is the right one. We've invested significantly in providing the team with the best possible playing surface for the season ahead. Following expert advice, we've concluded that relocating this fixture is the right decision to give the new pitch the time it needs before the start of the league campaign.
The club has said that the pitch is not yet sufficiently developed to host the fixture, due to the prolonged dry conditions and lack of natural rainfall. However, the club is confident that the pitch will be ready for the start of the league season.
Reading FC owners Rob Couhig and Todd Trosclair announced a few months ago that it will be a 'busy summer' at the Select Car Leasing Stadium as they announced a £5 million investment project. The club has said that the investment will provide the team with the best possible playing surface for the season ahead.
League standing (final 2025 table -- new season not yet under way): 12th in League One, 63 pts, 16W-15D-15L from 46 games, recent form LDLLL.
The club is currently 40 points behind leaders Lincoln in the title race, and will be looking to close the gap in the new season. Goals this season: 64 scored, 60 conceded (+4 goal difference). The next fixture for Reading FC is vs Cambridge United at home on 2027-02-20.
