Reading has a proud sporting history and punches above its size in many sporting fields. Now, we all know what the most popular sport in Reading is. Despite the woes besetting our local club, Reading FC still regularly draws crowds of over 10,000. But what is the most successful sport locally ?

This is a good question for a Reading pub quiz (if there are still any pubs open to hold quizzes...): at what sport does Reading rank highest in England ?

Well your investigative journalists here at inReading have delved deep and hard, and here's a current list at the end of January 2025:

  1. = Reading Women's Hockey 2nd in the top tier
  2. = Reading Rockets men's Basketball 2nd in the current top tier
  3. Reading Men's Hockey 13th and at the top of second tier
  4. Rams RFC 24th and near the top 3rd tier
  5. Reading FC - 51st - 7th in third tier


Reading has a great sporting legacy. Here's a look at everything apart from association football.

Rowing and Water Sports

Reading's strategic position along the River Thames has established it as a prominent center for rowing. The Reading Rowing Club, founded in 1867, is among the oldest in the country. The Reading Amateur Regatta, initiated in 1842, is a significant event in the rowing calendar, attracting competitors from various regions. The Redgrave Pinsent Rowing Lake, situated near Sonning Eye between Caversham and Sonning, serves as a premier training facility for the British Olympic rowing team. Named after celebrated Olympians Sir Steve Redgrave and Sir Matthew Pinsent, the lake was officially opened in April 2006. There's a good chance you will have even passed an Olympic medallist jogging on our local roads and pathways without realising.

Rugby

Rugby has been played in Reading for over 120 years, and the town has a proud history of producing talented players. The first rugby club in Reading was founded in 1898, and the town has since been home to a number of successful clubs, including Reading RFC, Rams RFC, and Reading Abbey RFC. Of course, the town had the top flight London Irish exiles in residence for nearly twenty years before they moved back to London and squbsequently imploded.

Reading RFC is the oldest rugby club in the town, founded in 1898 by a group of local businessmen. The club's first game was played against a team from London, and Reading won 19-6. The club has since gone on to win numerous trophies, including the Berkshire Cup on 12 occasions.

Current top club, Rams RFC was founded in 1924 by former pupils of Reading School as Readingensians RFC. The club has also enjoyed success in recent years, and it won promotion to National League 1 (Level 3 rugby) in 2018-19 where it has challenged for promotion ever since.

Reading Abbey RFC was founded in 1956 by a group of players who had left Reading RFC. The club has also enjoyed success in recent years, and it won promotion to National League 2 South (Level 4 rugby) in 2017-18.

Reading has also produced a number of talented rugby players over the years. Some of the most notable include Mike Tewkesbury, who was a member of the England team that won the Grand Slam in 1992, Ben Cohen who played for Reading RFC and England in the 2000s - he was a member of the England team that won the World Cup in 2003 - and Tom Wood, who played for Reading Abbey RFC and was a member of the England team that won the Six Nations Championship in 2016.

Between them, the three leading sides in Reading put out over thirty teams and over 500 regular players.

Cricket

Cricket has deep roots in Reading. The Reading Cricket Club was a dominant force in amateur cricket between 1961 and 1986, culminating in two appearances at Lord's: the 1979 Scarborough Cricket Club Haig Cup Final and the 1985 Old Hill Cricket Club William Younger Cup Final.

Berkshire County Cricket Club (BCCC), established on 17 March 1895, has been a prominent player in England's minor counties cricket scene. The club joined the Minor Counties Championship in 1896 and has since achieved significant success, winning ten National Counties Championship Titles in 1924, 1928, 1953, 2008, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2024 (shared), as well as many Cup victories and a single NCCA T20 Championship in 2018. The club's home fixtures are hosted at various grounds, including Sonning Lane in Reading.

Athletics

Founded in 1881, the Reading Athletic Club has produced several notable athletes. Ann Packer secured Britain's first female Olympic gold in the 800m at the 1964 Tokyo Games. Kathy Smallwood-Cook emerged as Britain's fastest female sprinter, achieving significant success in the 1980s.

The Reading Half Marathon, inaugurated in 1983, has become one of the UK's premier running events, attracting elite and amateur runners alike.

Cycling

The Reading Cycling Club, established in the 19th century, has been instrumental in promoting the sport locally. The town's Palmer Park Velodrome, an outdoor track, played a pivotal role in developing British cyclists before its closure and there has been pressure to re-instigate it, although it was absent from the recent redevelopment of the sports facilities in East Reading.

Hockey

Perhaps above all other sports, Reading has long been a powerhouse in English hockey, with both men's and women's teams achieving national dominance and producing world-class players who have shone on the international stage. At the heart of this success is Reading Hockey Club, founded in 1904 and based at Sonning Lane, which has built a formidable reputation over the decades.

The men’s team has enjoyed a golden era in domestic hockey, winning multiple National League titles, with triumphs in 1996–97, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2006–07, 2007–08, and 2011–12. Their dominance extended to cup competitions, securing the National Cup on no fewer than ten occasions, including in 1996, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2009, 2015, 2016, and 2018.

The women’s side has been just as successful, claiming National League championships in 2010–11 and 2012–13. This period of success saw them compete at the highest level in European club competitions. They currently stand at second place nationally.

However, Reading’s influence extends far beyond domestic honours. The club has been home to some of the most celebrated players in British hockey history. Among them, Kate Richardson-Walsh, who captained Great Britain to a historic gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, remains one of the sport’s most inspiring figures. Alongside her, Helen Richardson-Walsh was a pivotal member of that same Olympic-winning squad, cementing her place as one of the country’s finest midfielders.

Another star to emerge from Reading is Alex Danson, one of Britain’s greatest ever forwards. A key figure in the national team for over a decade, she played an instrumental role in the gold medal triumph in Rio. Meanwhile, the Mantell brothers, Simon and Richard, also enjoyed distinguished international careers, representing both England and Great Britain at multiple Olympics and World Cups.

Beyond Reading Hockey Club, the town also boasts Phoenix Reading Hockey Club, a community-driven outfit that provides opportunities for players of all levels, from grassroots to competitive leagues and the University of Reading Hockey Club has played a crucial role in developing young talent, many of whom have gone on to represent local and national teams.


Basketball

The Reading Rockets are a more recent success as a semi-professional basketball club established in 1997. In their inaugural season, the Rockets clinched promotion from Division 3, marking the beginning of a series of successes. Over the years, they have secured multiple titles, including three NBL Division 1 League Championships in the 2008–09, 2012–13, and 2013–14 seasons. Their impressive trophy cabinet also boasts five National Cup victories, with the most recent triumph in the 2024–25 season. The club currently stands second in the country, although it remains to be seen if the team will become one of the franchises joining the new Super League Basketball competition starting later this year.

The club's commitment to nurturing talent is evident through its comprehensive player development programs. In partnership with the John Madejski Academy, the Rockets launched an elite basketball program in 2013, offering young athletes a pathway to refine their skills and compete at higher levels.

The Rockets' roster has featured notable players who have significantly contributed to the team's success. One such standout is Mitch Clarke, an Australian guard who joined the team in August 2023. Clarke made an immediate impact, delivering stellar performances throughout the season. On January 19, 2025, he recorded a triple-double with 14 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds, leading the Rockets to a National Cup Final victory over the Hemel Storm.

Beyond the men's team, the Reading Rockets have expanded their horizons by establishing a women's team and a wheelchair basketball team, promoting inclusivity and diversity within the sport. The club's community outreach programs further emphasize their dedication to using basketball as a tool for positive social impact.

Of course, there are a wide range of other sports played to a high standard in our town. Reading hosts several tennis clubs, including the Caversham Lawn Tennis Club, fostering local talent and hosting regional tournaments. There are many local golf courses (see the directory).

Teams like the Reading Knights have represented the town in British American football leagues and is now a University team and the town long had a GAA (Irish) football side, St Anthony's. Another defunct sport is speedway, where Bulmershe Raceway was once a venue for speedway and stock car racing.

But if you feel like getting involved in sport, then check out our directory of local sport clubs below.

If we've missed out your club then get in touch with us and we'll add you to our directory.