Coventry City were founded in 1883 and are known as The Sky Blues, a nickname tied to the club's famous sky blue kit and identity. The club enjoyed a long spell in the top flight from the late 1960s until 2001 and won the FA Cup in 1987. Coventry have experienced ground issues, financial difficulties and lower-league football, but remain a major Midlands club with a loyal following.
The Coventry Building Society Arena, often still called the CBS Arena or simply the Arena, is Coventry City's modern stadium in the north of Coventry. Originally opened as the Ricoh Arena, it is a multi-purpose venue used for football, concerts, conferences and other events. It sits away from Coventry city centre, close to the A444, the M6 corridor, Arena Shopping Park and Coventry Arena railway station.
The stadium has a modern bowl-style layout, with the West, East, North and South stands flowing into each other rather than feeling like four completely separate traditional stands. The West Stand is the main stand and contains many of the hospitality, media and club facilities. The South Stand is the key away-supporter area for Coventry City matches, while the home atmosphere is strongest in areas such as Singers' Corner and behind the goals.
Because the Arena was built as a larger modern venue, views are generally clear and unobstructed. The bowl shape means it can look spacious, but when Coventry have a strong crowd in, the sound carries well and the home support can generate a good atmosphere. For neutrals, the side stands provide the best overall view, while supporters wanting the most vocal Coventry experience should look towards the home singing sections rather than the quieter central areas.
A motorway rivalry linking Coventry and Leicester, with close distance, supporter overlap and years of league meetings giving it real bite.
No upcoming rivalry fixture currently listed.
While not a traditional geographical derby, the rivalry between Sunderland and Coventry City is built on a deep historical grudge dating back to the infamous "Jimmy Hill" incident in 1977.
Coventry CitySunderland AFCThe Coventry Building Society Arena, Coventry | Premier League
Sunderland AFCCoventry CityStadium of Light, Sunderland | Premier League
Away supporters at the Coventry Building Society Arena are normally housed in the South Stand, usually towards the side nearest the West Stand. Coventry's own away-fan guidance directs ticketing queries to the visiting club, and visiting allocations can vary depending on demand, competition and segregation requirements. For many league fixtures the away allocation is around the 2,000 to 3,000 range, with larger allocations possible when the full stand or additional space is made available.
The away section has separate turnstiles and concourse arrangements, which helps keep movement clear once inside the stadium. Views from the South Stand are generally good because the modern arena design has no significant pillar restrictions. The upper part of the away section has also been associated with safe-standing provision, so supporters who need seated or accessible accommodation should check with their own club before purchasing.
The stadium is not in the city centre, so away fans arriving by train often need to plan the final leg carefully. Coventry Arena station is close to the ground but has limited service patterns compared with Coventry main station. Many supporters arrive by coach, car, taxi or bus from the city centre. Away fans should follow the route and entrance information issued for the fixture, particularly for larger followings.
From the north, use the M6 and leave at Junction 3, with the Coventry Building Society Arena only around 800 yards from the motorway. Follow signs for the Arena and use CV6 6AQ for the stadium area. On-site parking is available but should be checked and booked according to event instructions.
From the south, approach via the M40, M1, A46 or local Coventry routes before linking towards the M6 Junction 3/A444 corridor. The Arena is one of the easier Premier League grounds to reach by motorway, but matchday traffic around the retail park and car parks can still build. Follow official parking instructions rather than relying only on sat nav.
From Rugby, Leicester or the east, use the M69, M1 or A46 routes towards Coventry and connect with the M6/A444 corridor. The stadium is well placed for the motorway network and signed from the approach roads. Allow time for ANPR parking, retail park traffic and event-day traffic management.
From Birmingham, Solihull or the west, use the M6 eastbound towards Junction 3 and follow signs for the Arena. The venue has substantial on-site parking, but operational procedures and pricing vary by event. Book parking where required and expect queues after the final whistle.
Coventry Arena is the closest station to the Coventry Building Society Arena and is only a short walk from the stadium. It sits on the Coventry to Nuneaton line, but services can be limited, commonly around one train per hour in each direction. Where extra matchday trains operate, they are still likely to be busy and subject to crowd queues.
Coventry Station is the main rail hub for supporters arriving from London, Birmingham, Rugby, Leamington Spa and the wider national network. The stadium is around four miles away, so do not expect a quick walk. Use Coventry Arena station where suitable, or continue by bus, taxi, shuttle or local transport towards the Arena and Arena Shopping Park.
Nuneaton can be a useful rail connection for supporters arriving from the north or east, because Coventry Arena sits on the Nuneaton to Coventry line. Check the timetable carefully, as the local service pattern is limited and not every matchday journey will line up neatly with kick-off or full-time.
From Coventry Arena Station, follow the signed pedestrian route towards the Coventry Building Society Arena. The walk is short, usually around 5 to 10 minutes depending on the stand and entrance. After the match, check train times carefully because the local service pattern can be limited.
Coventry Station is around four miles from the Arena, so walking is not recommended for most supporters. From Coventry Station, use the local train to Coventry Arena when timings work, or continue by bus, taxi or shuttle. If walking, expect well over an hour on busy urban roads.
Nuneaton Station is not within walking distance of the Arena. It is useful only as a rail connection onto the Coventry to Nuneaton line. Take the local train to Coventry Arena Station, then walk the short signed route to the stadium.
Birmingham Airport is the best airport for Coventry City. The terminal connects to Birmingham International station by the free Air-Rail Link, and Coventry is only a short rail journey from Birmingham International. From Coventry station, continue to Coventry Arena by local train when the timetable works, or use bus, taxi or shuttle options. For drivers or taxis, the airport is also close by road, making it the most practical airport for the CBS Arena.
National Express Coventry service 3 links Coventry city centre with the Arena Shopping Park area, leaving a short walk to the Coventry Building Society Arena. It is one of the best normal bus routes for supporters arriving in Coventry by train or starting in the city centre.
The 20, 20A and 20B services serve the Foleshill Road / Arena corridor and are useful for supporters travelling from Coventry suburbs or connecting from the city centre. Alight at the retail park / Arena area and allow time for the walk to your entrance.
Service 15 is another useful local bus option serving stops near the Arena Shopping Park and Coventry Building Society Arena. It is a practical alternative depending on your starting point, but check live running times because evening and Sunday services can differ.
Allens Taxis are a local Coventry taxi option. A taxi from Coventry station, city centre or nearby hotels to the Arena is often sensible because the stadium is several miles from the city centre, but matchday traffic around the retail park and Judds Lane can delay both drop-off and collection.
Official Coventry Building Society Arena parking is the best option if you are driving to Coventry City. Current guidance has listed parking at around £15.50 when booked in advance or £20 on the day, subject to availability. The site uses ANPR, so enter the correct vehicle registration when booking and follow CV6 6AQ / event parking signs from the M6 Junction 3 area.
Arena Shopping Park parking is only suitable if it is booked or used within the shopping park's matchday rules. On matchdays, normal retail parking limits apply unless you meet the required spend rules or purchase official Arena parking in advance. Do not leave the car there casually for a full match without checking the current restrictions.
There are pre-booked private spaces and commercial parking options around the CBS Arena and Arena Shopping Park. These are useful if official Arena parking is sold out or if you want a quicker exit route. Choose a space with a clear walk to the ground and allow extra time for retail park and Judds Lane traffic.
On-site brewery and bar at the Coventry Building Society Arena complex. Very convenient for the ground, but matchday access and ticketing/event arrangements should be checked before travelling.
Large pub north of the arena and a practical option for food and drink before Coventry matches. It is walkable to the stadium but can be busy on matchdays.
City-centre Wetherspoons option useful for supporters arriving into Coventry main station. You will need onward travel to the arena by bus, taxi or local rail.
On-site brewery and bar at the Coventry Building Society Arena complex. Useful for food and drink close to the ground, but check matchday access and opening rules before travelling.
Chain restaurant at the Arena Shopping Park, useful if arriving early at the Coventry Building Society Arena. Be careful with parking rules and maximum-stay restrictions.
Large pub serving food north of the arena. A practical option before Coventry matches, though it is a walk from the stadium and can get busy.
Built into the Coventry Building Society Arena, making it the most convenient hotel for Coventry City matches. Book early because availability can be limited around major fixtures and events.
Practical hotel close to the M6 and Coventry Arena. Good for drivers and supporters who want to stay near the stadium rather than in the city centre.
Budget-style city-centre hotel useful if arriving by rail into Coventry main station. You will need onward travel to the arena by bus, taxi or local rail.
The main advice for visiting the CBS Arena is to plan travel and parking in advance. The ground is close to major roads and has official parking options, but spaces should be booked ahead where possible. Coventry City's own travel guidance advises pre-booking Arena parking, with a higher price on the day if spaces remain. Do not rely on parking at Arena Shopping Park unless you have checked the latest restrictions, as retail-park parking rules are actively enforced.
By train, Coventry Arena station is close to the stadium, but services can be limited and are not always the best option for every supporter. Coventry main station has far better connections, but it is several miles from the ground, so you will need a bus, taxi or onward rail connection. Local bus services run from the city centre towards the Arena area, but queues can build after the match.
There are fewer traditional away-fan pub options immediately around the stadium than at many older city grounds. Some visiting guides recommend drinking in Coventry city centre first and then travelling out to the Arena. If doing that, leave plenty of time, because traffic around the A444 and Arena area can be slow close to kick-off.
Coventry City home tickets are sold through the club's official ticketing website and ticket office, with priority arrangements depending on the match, competition and membership or booking history. For Premier League fixtures in 2026/27, demand is likely to be much higher than in recent Championship seasons, so casual availability should not be assumed.
For neutrals, the West or East Stand central areas usually provide the best view of the pitch and the most comfortable overall experience. Home supporters wanting atmosphere should look towards the club's more vocal areas, including Singers' Corner. The South Stand is the away end and should not be used by home or neutral supporters unless the club specifically opens unused away areas for home sale.
Away tickets are sold by the visiting club, not by Coventry City. Travelling fans should follow their own club's allocation, collection and digital-ticketing instructions. Coventry's guidance makes clear that ticketing queries for away fans should normally be directed to the visiting club's ticket office.
The CBS Arena operates standard football ground regulations, including searches on entry, no pyrotechnics, no pitch encroachment, no discriminatory behaviour and no alcohol in view of the pitch. Supporters should use the correct entrance and follow steward instructions, especially where home and away concourses are separated.
Parking rules are particularly important at this stadium. Supporters should pre-book official parking where possible and should not assume they can use nearby retail parking for a match. Fines or enforcement action may apply if parking conditions are breached.
The stadium is a multi-purpose venue, so event-day rules may vary depending on whether the fixture is a league match, cup match or another event. Supporters should check the match-specific guide before travelling, especially for bag rules, coach parking, accessible parking and ticket collections.
Coventry City and the CBS Arena publish accessibility information for disabled supporters. The club's supporter charter states that the stadium has wheelchair bays around the ground, including provision for visiting supporters, with adjacent personal-assistant seating. Accessible toilets are available around the stadium and operate with RADAR key access.
Away disabled supporters should book through the visiting club and confirm the exact entrance, seat location and parking arrangements before travelling. Recent visiting-club information has directed wheelchair users to specific access points, and this can vary depending on the fixture and allocation.
The Arena itself is a modern venue with step-free concourse access in many areas, but the journey to and from the stadium can still require planning. Accessible parking is limited and should be arranged in advance. Supporters using public transport should remember that Coventry Arena station is convenient but not as frequent as Coventry main station.
The Coventry Building Society Arena offers official arena tours on selected dates. These are guided tours covering the heritage of the venue, Coventry as a city and Coventry City Football Club, with advertised access to behind-the-scenes areas such as the press room, home dressing room, dugouts and pitchside, subject to availability.
Tours are booked through the Arena's official channels and are priced separately for adults, children and concessions, with personal-assistant arrangements available. Because the venue is used for football, concerts, conferences and other events, tour dates and routes can change, so visitors should check availability before travelling.
One of Coventry’s best-known attractions, with a major collection of vehicles and local motoring history. Best visited from the city centre before heading to the arena.
Historic cathedral site and modern cathedral in the city centre. A strong cultural stop before travelling out to the Coventry Building Society Arena.
Independent creative quarter with food, shops and events. Better for early arrivals staying in Coventry city centre rather than those heading straight to the arena.
Official Coventry City ticketing page for match tickets, membership sales, hospitality, accessibility information and fixture-specific ticket updates.
Official website for Coventry City. Useful for tickets, travel updates, accessibility information, stadium rules and matchday announcements.
Useful starting point for information about Coventry Building Society Arena, including visitor details, stadium facilities and matchday guidance where available.