Reading FC Women will return to playing matches in Reading next season after the club announced the team will once again operate under the Reading FC umbrella.
The move marks a significant milestone in the rebuilding of the women’s and girls’ programme following a turbulent period which saw the team separated from the club and operated by Reading FC Community Trust.
Under the new structure, the Women’s First Team will train at Bearwood Park and play selected home matches at the Select Car Leasing Stadium during the 2026-27 season.
The announcement has been welcomed by staff who helped steer the programme through recent uncertainty.
Co-operating manager Rick Catania praised the role played by the Community Trust in keeping the team alive.
“We’re phenomenally grateful to the Community Trust for keeping the women’s team alive,” he said, speaking to Reading Football Club’s official channels.
“There were a lot of people who cared deeply about making sure the team continued, and we’re thankful for everything they’ve done.
“Having a women’s football club is an important part of being a community club. Reading has a proud history in the women’s game and, over time, we want to restore the prestige and success that this club has enjoyed in the past.”
Reading Women have spent recent seasons playing their home games away from Reading, most notably at Arbour Park in Slough.
However, supporters will now see the team return to the Select Car Leasing Stadium for selected fixtures.
“I think any first team that represents Reading Football Club should have the opportunity to play at the Select Car Leasing Stadium,” Mr Catania said.
“We’re delighted that Reading Women will be returning to the stadium as part of this next chapter.”
Head of Women’s and Girls’ Football Emma Hopkins described the announcement as one of the proudest moments of her time at the club.
“The last couple of years have been really challenging for the women and girls’ side of things,” she said.
“It’s probably my proudest achievement that we’ve been able to continue the pathway and the women’s team over the last couple of years in really difficult circumstances.
“We have to thank Reading FC Community Trust for their support over the last couple of years in making it possible for the women and girls to continue. Now, we’re just really excited for the future.”
Women’s First Team manager Ed Jackson-Norris said the move would help fuel optimism around the club.
“The biggest achievement was that we’ve given people permission to believe and dream again,” he said.
“Everyone associated with the women’s side of the football club can now look to the future with optimism and be excited about what’s to come.”
He said the prospect of returning to Reading’s stadium was “giddy with excitement”.
“To be back sharing the ground with the club, with blue and white seats everywhere and the Reading badge all around you, that’s huge for us,” he said.
“It should inspire and motivate the players, but it also means the local community can get more involved.”
The new structure will also incorporate the club’s Under-16 and Under-14 girls’ teams, creating what officials describe as a clearer pathway for young players.
Co-operating manager Alec Lundberg said access to Bearwood Park would help support player development.
“Bearwood Park is football heaven,” he said.
“Bringing the Women’s First Team, Under-16s and Under-14s back into the club helps create a pathway for young players and allows us to continue the tradition of developing talented footballers at Reading.”
The club said Women’s First Team fixtures are also expected to be live-streamed through Reading FC’s YouTube channel.
Looking ahead, ambitions remain high.
“The aim next season is to get out of Tier Five and win promotion to the Women’s National League,” Ms Hopkins said.
“It’s going to be a really competitive division, but we feel we’ll be very much part of that conversation.”
Further details on fixtures, ticketing and stadium matches are expected to be announced before the start of the new season.
