Irish secure Madejski Stadium for home matches

London Irish have reached a deal with Reading FC that means the Madejski Stadium will be their home ground until the 2026.

The new contract comes into effect immediately and builds on the successful partnership between the two clubs.

London Irish has played its home matches at the superb Reading stadium since 2000. Since then the club's average attendance has risen from 5,000 to over 11,100 last season. The club currently holds the record for the largest crowd to watch Premiership rugby in a club stadium in this country - 22,648 for the game with London Wasps on 18th March 2007.

"Madejski Stadium is the finest club rugby stadium in Europe," said John Conlan, Chairman of London Irish. "We're delighted with the progress we've made since moving there in 2000 and at the way the partnership has worked and developed between ourselves and Reading FC. This new contract consolidates that relationship and enables both clubs to plan ahead to their mutual benefit."

"We are delighted to sign this new long-term agreement with London Irish," said John Madejski OBE, DL, Chairman of Reading Football Club. "We've developed an extremely healthy, mutually beneficial relationship and look forward to continue hosting London Irish fixtures at Madejski Stadium. We benefit greatly from our association with one of the most professional and progressive rugby clubs in Europe and are very pleased to be able to make this announcement."

The ground has been used for four European Cup finals, first in 2001 when Harlequins beat Narbonne 42-33 in an extra time thriller.

In 2003 it was host to the Challene Cup and Shield finals double-header . Wasps and Castres won out over Bath and Caerphilly respectively.

And the follwing season Quin won their second Challege Cup, this time is was at the expense of Montferrand in a 27-26 nail biter.