The 2026–27 season is Reading's 156th and their fourth consecutive season in EFL League One.

Season events Pre-season On 5 May, Reading released their retained and released list, with Mamadi Camará, Ben Elliott, Michael Stickland, Tivonge Rushesha and Andy Yiadom all leaving the club at the end of their contracts on 30 June. Reading confirmed that they had activated one-year extension clauses with Jeriel Dorsett, whilst new contracts had been offered to Kelvin Abrefa and Andy Rinomhota.

On 11 May, Reading announced that they had entered into a two-year footballing partnership with American youth football team Louisiana Fire SC. Also on 11 May, Reading released their retained and released list for their Under-21s. Jacob Borgnis, John Clarke, Miles Obodo, Jeremiah Okine-Peters, Basil Tuma and Jay Williams would all be released at the end of their contracts, whilst Carter Bowdery, Philip Duah, Sam Harrison, David Hicks, Luke Howard, Abraham Kanu, Harrison Rhone, John Ryan, Shay Spencer all had one-year extensions to their contracts activated, and Boyd Beacroft, Tom Norcott, Emmanuel Osho, Matt Rowley, Tyler Sackey and Joe Barough were all in talks regarding new contracts with the club.

On 12 May, Reading announced their retained and released list for their U18s, with Jacob Neptune and Ainsley Covus having one-year contract options activated, whilst Dennis Bossman, George Booth, Anthony Dove, Harley Irish and T’Shay St Louis had all been offered contracts to extend their stay with the club.

On 19 May, Reading announced that Harrison Rhone had signed a new contract with the club, until the summer of 2028.

On 8 June, Matt Ritchie announced his retirement from football after a playing career at clubs such as: Portsmouth, Dagenham & Redbridge, Notts County, Swindon Town, AFC Bournemouth, Newcastle United and the Royals whilst he made 16 appearances for the Scotland national football team.

On 10 June, Reading announced that they would end their pre-season preparations with a home game against Charlton Athletic on 1 August which would see former player Harvey Knibbs return to the Select Car Leasing Stadium for the first time since he left for the Addicks in August 2025.

On 14 June, Reading announced that they had extended their contract with Andy Rinomhota for another season, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2027.

On 22 June, Derrick Williams announced his retirement from football after a playing career at clubs such as: Aston Villa, Bristol City, Blackburn Rovers, LA Galaxy, D.C. United, Atlanta United and the Royals whilst he made 3 appearances for the Republic of Ireland national football team. Also later on the same day, Reading announced the signing of Kyreece Lisbie to a four-year contract after signing for undisclosed fee from EFL League Two club Colchester United joining his brother Kyrell Lisbie in the division who plays at fellow EFL League One club Peterborough United.

On 24 June, Reading announced that they had extended their contract with Kelvin Abrefa until the summer of 2028.

On 25 June, the EFL League One fixture list was released, with Reading starting their season at home to Luton Town on 15 August, and ending the season with a trip to Doncaster Rovers on 8 May. The next day, 26 June, Reading's away fixture against Oxford United scheduled for 29 August, over the August Bank Holiday weekend, was moved to 19:45hrs on 8 September at the request of Thames Valley Police.

On 29 June, with the squad returning to training, Reading announced that Rob Kelly had left his role as Assistant Manager to Leam Richardson due to personal circumstances.

On 30 June, Reading announced the singing of Udoka Godwin-Malife for an undisclosed fee from Burton Albion, on a contract until the summer of 2029. Later the same day, Reading announced that they had signed new one-year contracts with Matthew Rowley and Boyd Beacroft, a two-year contract with Tom Norcott and Emmanuel Osho, a three-year contract with Tyler Sackey and six-month contracts with Joe Barough and Dennis Bossman whilst they rehab from injury.

July On 2 July, Reading announced the signing of Jacob Brown on a free-transfer after he'd left Luton Town, to a two-year contract.

On 3 July, Reading announced the appointment of John Coleman as Leam Richardson's new Assistant Manager, and that goalkeeper Tom Norcott had joined Derry City on loan until 1 January.

On 9 July, Reading announced that George Booth, Anthony Dove, Harley Irish and T'Shay St Louis had all signed new one-year contracts with the Under-18s, and that Callum Cliff had signed a one-year contract with the club after leaving Fulham's Academy.

On 10 July, Reading announced the season-long loan signing of Josh Stokes from Bristol City.

On 11 July, Harrison Rhone joined Brackley Town on loan until January.

On 21 July, Reading announced that Select Car Leasing, their front of shirt sponsor for the previous five season, would now be their back of shirt sponsor whilst also retaining the naming rights to the stadium and featuring on the training kit, academy kit, junior replica kit and the Women's teams. On 23 July, Reading announce Mr Vegas as their new front of shirt sponsor for the 2026–27 season.

On 24 July, Reece Evans joined Bedford Town on loan until 31 August.

On 29 July, Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan left the club to sign for Danish Superliga club Horsens for an undisclosed fee.

On 30 July, Reading confirmed that their final pre-season friendly against Charlton Athletic had been moved to The Valley, and played behind-closed doors at 14:00hrs, due to the new pitch at the Madejski Stadium not being ready in time. Later the same day, Reading's home game against Leyton Orient scheduled for 20 October, was moved to 21 October at 20:00hrs to be shown on Sky Sports, whilst their home game against Bromley was brought forward to 12:30hrs on 21 November to be shown on Sky Sports +. At the same time Reading's away trip to Plymouth Argyle, on 31 October, and their trip to Burton Albion on 12 December, where both moved forward to 12:30 kickoffs to be shown on Sky Sports +.

On 31 July, Reading announced the signing of Matteo Dashi from Crystal Palace to a two-year contract and the singing of Torin Ntege from West Bromwich Albion to a one-year contract.

August On 6 August, Reading announced their new squad numbers for the season, and that David Hicks had joined Bedford Town on loan until the end of August.

On 11 August, Readings League One fixture at home to Mansfield Town scheudled for 1 September, was pushed back 24hrsto 2 September. This was due to Sky Sports picking Chelsea vs Fulham for broadcast on Monday 24 August, and the knock on effect of players having 72hrs rest between matches, which then meant Luton Town's match against Mansfield was moved to 30 August as Luton face Chelsea on 27 August.

On 12 August, Shay Spencer joined Slough Town on loan until mid-October.

On 19 August, Reading announced the signing of George Earthy from West Ham United for an undisclosed fee, on a contract until the summer of 2029.

On 24 August, Reading announced the signing of Calum Logan to a two-year contract after he'd left Tottenham Hotspur earlier in the summer, and the signing of Kevin Mfuamba to a one-year contract following his departure from West Bromwich Albion also in the summer.

On 25 August, Reading announced the signing of Jeremiah Berkeley-Agyepong from Chelsea, to a two-year contract, and the signing of free-agent Conor Masterson, who had been training with the club, on a short-term contract until January.

On 28 August, Reading announced the season-long loan signing of Josh Knight from Portsmouth, and that their Third Round match against Brentford had been scheduled for 15 September, whilst their League One match against Oxford United, scheduled for 8 September, had been postponed for a second time at the request of Oxford United.

On 31 August, Reading announced the signing of Jamie Reid from Stevenage for an undisclosed fee, on a contract until the summer of 2028.

September On 3 September, Reading's away fixture against Oxford United was arranged for 4 November.

On 4 September, Reading announced that Kelvin Abrefa had joined Forest Green Rovers on a three-month loan deal, and that Reece Evans and David Hicks had both extended their loan deals with Bedford Town until January.

On 11 September, Jack Marriott's second goal against Luton Town on 15 August, was nominated for EFL League One Goal of the Month. On 18 September, the EFL announced that the goal had won the Goal of the Month.

On 21 September, Reading confirmed that their match against Wycombe Wanderers on 26 September would go ahead despite, Jeriel Dorsett, Andy Rinomhota and Charlie Savage being called up for international duty.

On 25 September, Abraham Kanu joined Wealdstone on a short-term loan deal until December.

October On 5 October, Reading announced that they had signed a new contract with Sean Patton until the summer of 2028.

On 7 October, Jack Marriott was nominated for League One Player of the Month, whilst Leam Richardson was nominated for EFL League One Manager of the Month.

Squad