Reading shift friendly to The Valley amid pitch woes

Reading have been forced to move their final pre‑season friendly against Charlton Athletic to The Valley, with the Saturday fixture now set behind closed doors after concerns emerged over the condition of the newly‑laid pitch at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

The decision was taken to safeguard the playing surface ahead of the start of the League One campaign. The newly‑laid pitch at the Select Car Leasing Stadium has not developed as expected, with hot, dry weather slowing grass growth and rendering the surface unsuitable for the scheduled friendly.

Reading co‑chief executive Joe Jacobson said on the club website, “This is not a decision anyone at the club wanted to make, but it is the right one.” He added that protecting the pitch is the club’s priority.

Jacobson also noted that the club has invested significantly in providing the team with the best possible playing surface for the season ahead. He said the decision follows expert advice on preserving the new turf.

He explained, “Unfortunately, the recent spell of hot and dry weather has slowed the development of the new pitch and, after taking expert advice, we’ve concluded that protecting it now gives us the best chance of having it in the condition we all want for the start of the League One campaign.”

Reading will begin their League One campaign at home to Luton Town on 15 August, and preserving the new pitch remains a priority ahead of that match. The club hopes the surface will be match‑ready by then.

Because of the pitch condition, Charlton will host the game at their home ground, The Valley, but the match will be played behind closed doors, meaning no spectators will be admitted.