Coventry City – The Ricoh Arena
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The Ricoh Arena is an all-seater stadium, with a capacity of 32,500.
Built by Laing O’Rourke (also responsible for Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium), it was opened in August 2005, replacing Coventry’s previous home at Highfield Road, where they had played since 1899.
The new stadium is completely enclosed, with single tier stands to the North, South and East of the ground. The West Stand has a small tier of seats overhanging the larger lower tier which houses hospitality boxes towards its rear. Numerous perspex panels allow natural light to enter, aiding the growth of the pitch. A large, video scoreboard occupies one corner of the stadium between the South and East Stands. Away supporters are accommodated to one side of the South Stand towards the corner with the West Stand.
How to get to the Ricoh Arena
By Road:
The Ricoh Arena is located in Phoenix Way, Foleshill, Coventry CV6 6GE.
Visiting fans driving from both North and South should follow the M6 as far as junction 3, taking the A444 exit, signed Coventry (North). Those arriving from the North should take the 4th exit at the roundabout, while those coming from the South should take the 2nd exit, onto Phoenix Way. Having passed through one roundabout, the Ricoh Arena is located on the left.
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By Rail:
Coventry station is 3½ miles from the Ricoh Arena and too far to walk for most. However, there is a bus stop directly outside the station, from which most buses go to the Pool Meadow bus station. “Match Day Special” tickets are available, covering all journeys within the Coventry area.
A shuttle bus (service no. 101) operates from the Pool Meadow bus station to the Arena stadium complex, with departures every 10 minutes for 2 hours prior to kick-off. Return buses run from outside the South Stand for an hour after the match. Several fans have advised avoiding the lengthy queues for the return buses by catching the no.13 service from near the roundabout close to the stadium. Click here to check the current train timetables
By Air:
The nearest airport is Birmingham International, some 11 miles from the ground. Regular rail connections are available to Coventry, with a journey time of 20-30 minutes. Click here to check the current flight times
Where to Park?
Parking is not available at the stadium and a residents’ only parking scheme operates in the vicinity of the ground. However, the club utilise a number of official car parks in nearby factory units and schools, within easy walking distance of the ground.
Alternatively, there are secure car parks near junction 3 of the M6, within a 15-minute walk of the ground. These provide easy access to the motorway after the match. However, they are popular and fans are advised to book spaces in advance.
Away Friendly Pubs near the Ricoh Arena
The Black Horse, situated between Longford and Exhall, is reported to offer a friendly welcome to away fans. Many of the pubs along Longford Road are “home only,” but the JK English Pub is an exception, providing a hearty welcome for visiting supporters.
It can be reached by following the towpath away from the North Stand, over the canal for some 400 yards and turning right into Longford Road. The pub is some 200 yards, on the right. It offers an “all you can eat” buffet on Saturday lunchtimes. Reasonably priced parking is also available at this pub. Alternatively, alcohol is available inside the stadium.
Hotels near the Ricoh Arena
The Britannia Coventry Hotel, Fairfax Street, Coventry CV1 5RP is a centrally-located, budget price hotel. Guest reviews have been less than sparkling, but suggest that it is more than adequate for a one night stay.
The Quality Hotel Birmingham NEC, Birmingham Road, Coventry CV5 9BA is also towards the lower end of the price scale, but guest reviews have been more encouraging, remarking upon its good location, helpful staff and cleanliness.
What have other Away Fans said about their trip to the Ricoh Arena?
Many fans have remarked on the steep nature of the South Stand, requiring a good deal of effort to reach their seats. Numerous visitors have reported being disappointed at the view of the playing action, as a running track surrounds the pitch and is itself some distance from the playing surface. Several fans have reported that despite excellent legroom, the seating was quite uncomfortable, which proved very disappointing in a relatively new stadium.
However, acoustics are reported as superb, creating a great atmosphere within the ground. Facilities are reported as modern, with helpful staff. Queues at catering outlets appear to be far shorter than at some other grounds, and the range and quality of products offered are generally reported as excellent, though several fans have complained of warm lager at £3+ per bottle. Stewards are reported as being a little overzealous, with fans regularly ejected for persistent standing, so best behaviour is advised
Getting to the Ricoh is a piece of cake. Just follow the “Football Parking” signs from the M6, and there’s a car park literally just off Junction 3 (cost £3 iirc) – The Ricoh is then around a 10-15 minute walk (longer if you stop in a pub!), and best of all it means that after the game, you’ll be back on the M6 and moving at 70mph within 20 minutes. Park anywhere near the stadium and you’ll still be in sight of the stadium after 20 minutes!
As with a lot of new stadiums, the Ricoh lacks “character”, but you can’t argue with the sheer size of it, and the acoustics are really fantastic, particularly when all four sides of the ground are singing.
The concourses under the stadium are nice and big, and allow plenty of room for chatting. The queues for food and drink were huge last time I visited, so maybe worth filling up before the game!
I visited the Ricoh Arena this season, I was very impressed with the acoustics and overall layout of the ground as it is close to variosu shops/restaurants such as one of the largest tescos in Britain, piza hu and burger king, although it is to be noted that that Coventry fans are very passionate about their team which can make for a hostile environment outside the ground and surrounding areas, so it is advisable not to wear/show club colours until in the ground.
Went to The Ricoh last October and was fairly pleased with my visit. Lots of cheap parking in the back of pubs near the stadium and also lots of shops and food outlets. The largest Tesco in Britain is within 100 yards of the stadium and also 2 food outlets, Pizza Hut and Burger King. Can be intimidating for younger fans due to ferocity of Coventry City fans towards the visiting supporter. Also, lack of legroom so legs are likely to be very soor
Hi, just wanted to explain to fans that their is a fantastic Casino / catering establishment that is part of the Ricoh Arena complex. It is open to fans and has a friendly atmosphere. Very modern and lush with great TV cameras. The stadium it self is off course brilliant. If full it is fantastic for acoustics but when empty a little lacking All facilties are very modern and has a very continental feel about it Car parks are free or cheap around if you know where your going Pubs do exist around the Arena and I have never had reports of bad fan behaviour Good views and catering facilties all round I think and there is a Burger King and Pizza Hut in walking distance as well as tescos adn other shops. Cheers Dave Mc Gee.
i went to the ricoh on the opening game of the championship for portsmouth it was my first away game dislcuding wembley but got to say it is a very nice staduim and very easy to get to but us portsmouth fans seemed to wake the staduim up coventry fans hardly sang so their was no atmosphere form their end their was only 18,000 thousand attendance its a shame really becasue it is a really nice staduim but overall it is a good day out and one of the championship staduims u should go to.