The 2025–26 season is Reading's 155th and their third consecutive season in League One. In addition to the domestic league, the club will also participate in the FA Cup, the EFL Cup, and the EFL Trophy.
Season events.
Pre-season.
Prior to the last match of the previous season, a 4–2 defeat to Barnsley at home, Reading announced that a sale in principle of the club, stadium, and training ground to Rob Couhig's Redwood Holdings Limited. On 14 May 2025, Reading and the EFL, confirmed that Redwood Holdings Limited had completed their takeover of the club.
On 16 May, Reading released their retained and released list, with David Button, Harlee Dean, Tom Carroll, Coniah Boyce-Clarke, Adrian Akande, Louie Holzman, Jack Senga, Charlie Wellens, James Sharlott, Kai Source and Verell George all leaving the club at the end of their contracts on 30 June. Reading confirmed that they had activated one-year extension clauses with Mamadi Camará, Tom Norcott, Joseph Barough, Boyd Beacroft and Mathew Rowley. Whilst new contracts had been offered to Michael Craig, Jeriel Dorsett, Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan, Abraham Kanu, Amadou Mbengue, Joel Pereira, Tivonge Rushesha, Michael Stickland, Basil Tuma, Jayden Wareham, Andy Yiadom, Jacob Hammond-Chambers-Borgnis, John Clarke, John Ryan, Jeremiah Okine-Peters, Shay Spencer, Ashqar Ahmed, Carter Bowdery, Philip Duah, Sam Harrison, Luke Howard and Josh Welland.
On 23 May, Reading announced that they had signed a new contract with Lewis Wing, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2028.
On 12 June, Reading announced that they had signed a new contract with Joel Pereira, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2028.
On 17 June, Reading announced the signing of Paudie O'Connor to a four-year contract, joining on a free transfer from Lincoln City on 1 July once his contract expires.
On 23 June, Reading announced that they had signed new one-year contracts with John Clarke and John Ryan.
On 24 June, Reading announced that Michael Stickland had signed a new one-year contract with the club.
On 25 June, Reading announced the signing of Jack Stevens to a two-year contract, joining on a free transfer from Cambridge United on 1 July once his contract expires. Later the same day, Reading announced that Andy Yiadom had signed a new one-year contract.
On 26 June, Reading congifirmed that both Amadou Mbengue and Jayden Wareham had turned down new contracts with the club, and would depart at the end of their contracts on 30 June.
July.
On 1 July, Reading announced new one-year contracts with Tivonge Rushesha and Jeriel Dorsett.
For those players sold, released or contract ended before the start of this season, see 2024–25 Reading F.C. season.
Friendlies.
On 29 May, Reading announced their first pre-season friendly, an away trip to face Gillingham on 12 July. Reading announced their second pre-season friendly on 3 June, a home match against Portsmouth on 26 July. On 9 June, Reading announced two behind-closed doors friendlies at Bearwood Park Training Ground, against Swindon Town on 15 July and Oxford United on 22 July. On 27 June, Reading announced that their first pre-season friendly would take place on 5 July, away to Hungerford Town at Bulpit Lane, and that they would host Tottenham Hotspur at home on 19 July.
Development.
On 5 May, Basingstoke Town announced that they would host a Reading XI in a pre-season friendly on 26 July. On 5 June, Reading announced four pre-season fixtures for their academy teams.
Competitions.
League One.
On 26 June, the fixture list was released, with Reading starting their campaign away to Lincoln City on 2 August, and finishing the season at home to Blackpool.
EFL Trophy.
Group stage.
On 25 June, Reading were drawn into Southern Group D alongside Swindon Town and Milton Keynes Dons and an unnamed U21 team, which was named as West Ham United the following day.