Coventry Building Society Arena

File:WTC Jez Sutton jez-15.jpg

The decision to move Coventry City from Highfield Road to a new stadium – with a larger capacity and better road links and parking facilities – was made in 1997 by the club's then-chairman Bryan Richardson.{{cite news |first=Ian |last=Shoesmith |title=Why are Coventry City at their lowest ebb for nearly 50 years? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17817552 |work=BBC Sport |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |date=28 April 2012 |access-date=28 April 2012 }} It was anticipated that the new stadium would be ready for the 2000–01 season.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/coventry/webcams/stories/2002/12/highfield-road-virtual-tour.shtml Coventry and Warwickshire Webcams – Highfield Road virtual tour]. BBC. Permission for the construction of a 45,000-seater stadium was given in the spring of 1999, with a targeted completion date of August 2001. However, the stadium was delivered four years behind schedule, and was more basic than anticipated in the original plans.

Coventry were one out of three cities to bid for England's new national stadium along with London and Birmingham. In 2001, Nick Nolan, the leader of Coventry City Council, claimed that their proposal was always the strongest as the construction could be completed within three years.{{cite news|url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/3012031/Sports-Politics-Coventry-claim-edge-in-bid-for-new-Wembley.html|title = Coventry claim edge for new Wembley|date = 3 September 2001|last1 = Davies|first1 = Gareth A.}} The council's plan was to build a 90,000 all-seater stadium for an estimated cost of £250 million.{{cite web|url = http://www.nce.co.uk/coventry-makes-bid-to-be-national-stadium-site/815079.article|title = Coventry bid for National Stadium|date = 13 September 2001|access-date = 11 August 2015|archive-date = 2 October 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151002101912/http://www.nce.co.uk/coventry-makes-bid-to-be-national-stadium-site/815079.article|url-status = dead}} However, it was decided that Wembley, London would remain the location for the national stadium.

The original design for the arena was for a state-of-the-art stadium with a retractable roof and a pitch that could slide out to reveal a hard floor for concerts. After Coventry City's relegation from the Premiership in May 2001, a number of contractor/financier withdrawals, and England's bid to host the 2006 FIFA World Cup ending in failure, the plans were significantly downsized to reflect new realities. By the summer of 2002 there were plans for a more basic 32,500-seat stadium in its place.

The arena's first name, 'The Ricoh Arena' came from a multi-year sponsorship deal, reported to be worth £10 million{{cite news |first=Simon |last=Rice |title=Giving the name away: Stadiums named after sponsors |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/giving-the-name-away-stadiums-named-after-sponsors-1814651.html?action=Gallery&ino=4 |work=The Independent |publisher=Independent Print |location=London |date=31 March 2011 }} with camera and photocopier manufacturer Ricoh. During construction the stadium was variously referred to as the Jaguar Arena, Arena Coventry and Arena 2000.{{cite web |title=The "strange" way the Ricoh Arena sponsorship deal was struck |url=https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/football/football-news/ricoh-arena-jaguar-paul-fletcher-3025113 |website=Coventry Live |access-date=14 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214212141/https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/football/football-news/ricoh-arena-jaguar-paul-fletcher-3025113 |archive-date=14 December 2021 |date=18 May 2012 |quote=They had a real fear that after paying their £10million (as reported in the Press) fee, the media would then call the building ‘The Coventry Arena’, or ‘Arena Coventry’, or ‘that new Arena in the Midlands’ etc.}}{{cite news |last1=Hazelton |first1=Liz |title=IT'S THE BIG CAT STADIUM! Jaguar unveils pounds 7m Arena sponsorship |url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/IT%27S+THE+BIG+CAT+STADIUM!+Jaguar+unveils+pounds+7m+Arena+sponsorship.-a0119607403 |agency=The Free Library |publisher=Coventry Evening Telegraph |date=22 July 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214210154/https://www.thefreelibrary.com/IT%27S+THE+BIG+CAT+STADIUM%21+Jaguar+unveils+pounds+7m+Arena+sponsorship.-a0119607403 |archive-date=14 December 2021 |quote=JAGUAR was today unveiled as the record-breaking backer of the city's Arena. The ten-year multi-million pound sponsorship deal ends months of speculation and will see the stadium named the Jaguar Arena.}}

The sponsorship deal with Ricoh came about after the stadium's initial sponsor, luxury car manufacturer Jaguar, was forced to pull out because of the commercial difficulties that had caused the controversial closure of the large Jaguar assembly plant at the city's Brown's Lane, previously a major source of employment in Coventry. On 4 August 2004, 12 months before the stadium's opening, it had been announced that the new stadium would be called the Jaguar Arena in a deal worth up to £7 million until 2015. However, the deal was cancelled on 17 December 2004.[https://archive.today/20120918085517/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-15384534-jaguar-drops-stadium-naming-plans.do Jaguar drops stadium naming plans – News – London Evening Standard]. Thisislondon.co.uk (17 December 2004). Jaguar did however retain naming rights to the Arena's Exhibition Hall. Ricoh's sponsorship of the new stadium was confirmed on 26 April 2005.{{cite news |title=Coventry announce stadium sponsor |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/coventry_city/4485823.stm |work=BBC Sport |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |date=26 April 2005 }}

On 5 May 2021, it was announced that the venue would be renamed the Coventry Building Society Arena. The name change came into effect in summer 2021 as a part of a ten-year naming rights deal with the UK's second largest building society.{{cite news |last1=Bridge |first1=Bobby |title=New name for Ricoh Arena after 'landmark' 10-year deal signed |url=https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/breaking-ricoh-arena-become-coventry-20527543 |access-date=5 May 2021 |work=Coventry Telegraph |date=5 May 2021 |location=Coventry, England}}{{cite news |title=Wasps stadium to become Coventry Building Society Arena in naming rights deal |url=https://www.itv.com/news/central/2021-05-05/wasps-stadium-to-be-called-coventry-building-society-arena-in-new-naming-rights-deal |access-date=5 May 2021 |work=ITV News |date=5 May 2021}}

On 17 October 2022, it was confirmed that Wasps Holdings, the holding company for Wasps and Wasps Netball had entered administration. They ceased trading immediately and all playing and coaching staff were made redundant.{{cite web |title=Wasps players made redundant after club enters administration {{!}} Rugby union {{!}} The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/oct/17/wasps-relegation-administration-players-redundant-rugby-union-premiership |access-date=17 October 2022 |website=amp.theguardian.com}} Although the stadium operator Arena Coventry Ltd. were not included in the administration, they filed a notice of intention to appoint an administrator.{{cite web |last1=Bridge |first1=Bobby |last2=Rowlands |first2=Robert |date=17 October 2022 |title=CBS Arena owners announce 'intention to appoint administrators' |url=https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/local-news/cbs-arena-owners-talks-investors-25285661 |access-date=17 October 2022 |website=CoventryLive }} On 2 November 2022, it was confirmed that stadium operator Arena Coventry Limited had also applied to enter administration.{{cite web |last=Bridge |first=Bobby |date=2 November 2022 |title='Preferred bidder' for CBS Arena identified as administration move made |url=https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/preferred-bidder-coventry-building-society-25412887 |access-date=2 November 2022 |website=CoventryLive }} Initially all scheduled events would take place as scheduled. The administration hearing took place on 17 November where it was confirmed that the arena would enter administration but also immediately fall into the ownership of Frasers Group (owned by Mike Ashley), who had a pre-signed deal to immediately take over the stadium should it fall into administration.{{cite web |last=Turner |first=Andy |date=17 November 2022 |title=Mike Ashley owns CBS Arena after decision made |url=https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/football/football-news/mike-ashley-cbs-arena-breaking-25540656 |access-date=17 November 2022 |website=CoventryLive }}

File:JimmyHillStatue.jpg

The stadium hosted its first football match in August 2005. The official opening was performed by Dame Kelly Holmes and sports minister Richard Caborn on 24 February 2007, by which time the arena had already hosted a sell-out England U21 football match against Germany as well as a full season of Coventry City matches.

The arena became the venue for Coventry City's home games at the start of the 2005–06 season, following 106 years at the Highfield Road stadium. The first competitive football match played at the stadium was against Queens Park Rangers on 20 August 2005, in front of a reduced (for safety reasons) 23,012 capacity crowd. The game ended [https://www.fastscore.com/match/coventry-city/queens-park-rangers/235001 3–0] to Coventry, with Claus Bech Jørgensen becoming the first player to score at the arena. Hull City became the first away team to win at the Ricoh, easing their way to a 2–0 win on 24 September 2005, with both goals coming from John Welsh.

The stadium has never seen a capacity 32,600 crowd for a Coventry City match, but 2025 saw their highest attendance to date, coming against Middlesbrough in a Championship match that saw 31,452 people in attendance. Coventry City won the match 2-0.

In December 2009, the first hat-trick was scored at the venue when Freddy Eastwood scored three past Peterborough United. Eastwood grabbed two goals before half-time before Craig Mackail-Smith netted a brace in the second half to level the scoring. However, Coventry City secured three points in the Championship fixture after Eastwood grabbed the final goal of the fixture just a minute after Peterborough levelled. Freddy Eastwood remained the only player to have scored a hat-trick at the Ricoh Arena{{cite news|url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/8402646.stm|title = Eastwood's hat-trick seals three points|date = 12 December 2009|work = BBC Sport }} until Coventry City loanee Jacob Murphy scored a first-half hat-trick in a League One fixture against Gillingham on 21 November 2015.{{cite news|url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34817456|title = Coventry leapfrog Gillingham to go top|access-date = 25 November 2015 |work = BBC Sport }}

On 28 July 2011, a bronze statue of Jimmy Hill was unveiled at the entrance to the stadium after £100,000 was raised by Coventry City fans.{{cite news |title=Jimmy Hill statue unveiled at Coventry's Ricoh Arena |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-14328753 |work=BBC News |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |date=28 July 2011 |access-date=28 July 2011 }} He managed the club from 1961 to 1967 and was responsible for guiding it to the top flight. Despite this, Hill decided to resign as manager for a career in television but later returned to the Sky Blues as managing director before becoming chairman. When he died in December 2015, fans paid tribute by placing flowers and scarves by and around the statue.

The quickest ever goal scored at the ground was when Coventry striker Dan Agyei converted against Northampton Town after 19.5 seconds on 4 October 2016. This beat the previous record scored by Reading's Grzegorz Rasiak after 27 seconds in 2009, when Reading defeated Coventry 3–1. Rasiak's goal still remains the fastest one scored by an away side at the stadium.{{cite news|url=http://www.ccfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/record-dan-agyei-fastest-goal-ricoh-coventry-northampton-071016-3351901.aspx|title=RECORD: Daniel Agyei scores the fastest ever goal at the Ricoh during Checkatrade Trophy win|last=Marshall|first=Billie|access-date=16 October 2016}}

In December 2012, Coventry City owners SISU Capital became embroiled in a high-profile dispute with ACL over the rent arrangement and a lack of access to matchday revenue. The previously agreed rent amounted to £1.2 million per year, but did not give Coventry City access to matchday revenue.

A deadline of 27 December 2012 was given by ACL for unpaid rent. After the deadline passed, a winding up order was enforced through the High Court. Subsequently, after ACL planned to place Coventry City FC Ltd into administration, the club itself entered administration, accepting a ten-point penalty from the Football League as a consequence. A further 10-point penalty was incurred when ACL refused to accept the terms of a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) proposed by the administrator. Coventry City has since been bought by Otium Entertainment Group.

On 23 March 2013, Coventry City moved all its staff and club shop stock from the venue after a long dispute over rent and access to matchday revenue with the club.{{cite news |title=Coventry City transfer staff and stock from Ricoh Arena |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21912436 |work=BBC Sport |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |date=23 March 2013 |access-date=27 March 2013 }}

Coventry City agreed to play their home games at Northampton Town's Sixfields Stadium to ensure that they fulfilled their fixtures. This resulted in ACL threatening to sue Northampton Town if they decided to carry on hosting Coventry City's home games. Northampton Town released a statement saying that they "will not be bullied or threatened".{{cite news|url=http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/ricoh-arena-sue-northampton-town-5074046 |title=Ricoh Arena to sue Northampton Town if it hosts Coventry City 'home' matches|work=Coventry Telegraph |date=12 July 2013|access-date=7 January 2014}} ACL subsequently withdrew its legal action against Northampton Town.

ACL and SISU agreed a two-year deal to bring Coventry City back to the arena in 2014. The club also had the option to play there for a further two years; they played their first match back at the stadium on 5 September 2014 against Gillingham.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28881455|title=Coventry City agree deal to return to Ricoh Arena|date=21 August 2014|publisher=BBC|work=BBC News|access-date=21 August 2014}} This followed a payment of £470,000 from SISU Capital to ACL after a Football League ruling.{{cite news|url=http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/coventry-city-make-470000-acl-7616539|title=Coventry City make £470,000 ACL payment after Football League ruling |date=14 August 2014|work=Coventry Telegraph |access-date=8 February 2015}} The deal was later extended by a year.{{cite news|date=23 December 2015|title=Coventry City extend Ricoh Arena stay until 2018|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35167521|access-date=13 June 2020}}{{cite news|date=9 February 2018|title=Coventry City: League Two club agrees deal with Wasps to stay at Ricoh Arena|work=BBC Sport|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43007223|access-date=13 June 2020}} This meant Coventry City remained at the Ricoh Arena until May 2019 before ground-sharing for two seasons with Birmingham City at St Andrew's.

On 10 March 2021, It was announced that Coventry City and Wasps had agreed to a ten-year deal, which would mean that the club would return to the stadium from the 2021–22 season.{{cite tweet|number=1369596538314489856|user=Coventry_City|title=NEWS: Coventry City and Wasps Group...|date=10 March 2021}} The club still intend to build a new stadium on land near the University of Warwick on the southern edge of the city, as a break clause in their contract will allow them to leave the Ricoh for their new stadium.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/mar/10/coventry-sign-10-year-deal-with-wasps-for-return-to-ricoh-arena#:~:text=Coventry's%20chief%20executive%2C%20Dave%20Boddy,the%20stadium%20owners%20Wasps%20Rugby.|title = Coventry will return to Ricoh Arena but press on with plans for new stadium|website = TheGuardian.com|date = 10 March 2021}} Their first game back was a pre-season friendly on 1 August against Wolverhampton Wanderers in which Coventry lost 2–1.

With the administration of Wasps and subsequent transfer of ownership of the Coventry Building Society Arena Coventry City's deal became null and void and the club did not sign to continue the deal with Frasers Group. Frasers Group issued the football club with a notice of eviction on 5 December should they choose to not sign a new deal running until May 2023.{{cite web |title=NEWS: Statement following receipt of an eviction notice from Frasers Group, new owners of the CBS Arena |url=https://www.ccfc.co.uk/news/2022/december/news-statement-following-receipt-of-an-eviction-notice-from-frasers-group-new-owners-of-the-cbs-arena/ |access-date=13 December 2022 |website=www.ccfc.co.uk }} Coventry City signed the deal on 13 December agreeing to stay at the arena until at least May 2023.{{cite news |date=13 December 2022 |title=Coventry City sign deal to continue playing at CBS Arena until end of season |url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/championship-rivals-of-sheffield-united-middlesbrough-and-rotherham-united-sign-deal-to-remain-at-home-stadium-until-end-of-the-season-3951593 |access-date=13 December 2022 |website=www.yorkshirepost.co.uk }} On 28 April 2023, it was announced that Coventry City and Frasers Group had agreed a five-year license for the club to continue to play at the Arena.{{cite web |title=NEWS: Coventry City and Frasers Group plc agree new five year licence for club to play at Coventry Building Society Arena |url=https://www.ccfc.co.uk/news/2023/april/news-coventry-city-and-frasers-group-plc-agree-new-five-year--licence-for-club-to-play-at-coventry-building-society-arena/ |access-date=28 April 2023 |website=www.ccfc.co.uk }} It was also agreed that as part of the deal, no other sports team were to play home games at the Arena, after issues with the condition of the pitch under previous owners rugby union club Wasps.

The venue hosted two England under-21 internationals. The first was a 2007 European U-21 Championship qualification play-off match against Germany on 5 October 2006. The hosts edged out the visitors 1–0 thanks to Leighton Baines' 77th-minute goal. The other was a 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification Group 9 match against Macedonia on 9 October 2009. The hosts beat the visitors 6–3, with goals from Kieran Gibbs, Micah Richards, and two apiece from Andy Carroll and Zavon Hines.{{cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/england-u21-vs-macedonia-u21/report/109934|title=Match Report – England U21 6 – 3 Macedonia U21 – 09 Oct 2009|work=Sky Sports|access-date=19 January 2016}}

On 17 May 2007, England U-19 team played their home fixture against Netherlands U-19 team in the Elite qualifying group round. Netherlands won the game 2–1.{{cite web|url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/MatchRsl/MatchRslTmU19pg1.html|title=England Matches – Under-19's 1991–2010|access-date=19 January 2016}}

File:Ricoh Arena Olympic football 2012.JPG at the Coventry Building Society Arena]]

The venue also became host to 2012 Olympic Football matches, where the stadium hosted 12 tournament matches. The stadium was temporarily renamed to City of Coventry Stadium due to sponsorships on venue names not being allowed by the International Olympic Committee.{{cite web|url=http://london2012.cswp.org.uk/a-host-for-london-2012?title=olympic-football-tournaments|title=Coventry 2012 – A co-Host for London 2012 – Olympic Football Tournaments|author=Parenthesis|access-date=19 January 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129014809/http://london2012.cswp.org.uk/a-host-for-london-2012?title=olympic-football-tournaments|archive-date=29 January 2016 }} In preparation for the Olympics, a test event on 23 April 2012 saw Oman play Senegal in the Olympic Qualifier play-offs.{{cite news |title=Senegal to face Oman for final spot at 2012 Olympics |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17554702 |work=BBC Sport |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |date=29 March 2012 |access-date=1 April 2012}} Senegal won 2–0 and took the final place in the men's 2012 Olympic draw.{{cite news |title=London 2012: Senegal beat Oman for final Olympic spot |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17815322 |work=BBC Sport |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |date=23 April 2012 |access-date=24 April 2012 }} The first Olympic match, on 25 July 2012, was between Japan and Canada in Group F of the women's tournament.{{cite news |title=Football – event schedule |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/17092335 |work=BBC Sport |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |date=30 March 2012 |access-date=21 July 2012 }} On 9 August 2012, the bronze medal game was held between France and Canada at City of Coventry Stadium. Canada won the bronze medal in a 1–0 stoppage time victory on a goal from Diana Matheson.{{cite news |title=London 2012: Canada's women win Olympic football bronze with late goal |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/aug/09/london-2012-canada-olympic-bronze |work=theguardian.com |publisher=Guardian News and Media |date=9 August 2012 |access-date=1 January 2014 }}

The stadium has also hosted the 2011 Women's FA Cup final, which was played between Arsenal and Bristol Academy. 13,885 watched Arsenal win their eleventh FA Cup as they ran out as 2–0 winners.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/13463068|title=Women's FA Cup final: Arsenal 2–0 Bristol Academy|work=BBC Sport|access-date=19 January 2016}}

During Coventry City's absence, Football Conference Youth Alliance Midland Division side Football CV Reds agreed to play eight games at the stadium in January 2014.{{cite news |title=Non-league amateur side sign up to play at Ricoh Arena next season |url=http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/non-league-amateur-side-sign-up-6649711 |work=Coventry Telegraph |date=30 January 2014 |access-date=30 January 2014 }} Leicester City's under-21 development squad played twice at the Arena on 29 January 2014{{cite news|last=Perry |first=Keith |url=http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/football/football-news/leicester-city-play-ricoh-arena-6639921 |title=Leicester City to play at the Ricoh Arena! |work=Coventry Telegraph |date=28 January 2014 |access-date=18 May 2014}} and 3 February 2014{{cite news |url=http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/football/football-news/leicester-city-playing-ricoh-arena-6662247 |title=Leicester City playing at Ricoh Arena again tonight – this time against Manchester United |work=Coventry Telegraph |date=3 February 2014 |access-date=18 May 2014}} due to waterlogged pitches at the original venues. The first game was behind closed doors but the second game against Manchester United was open to the public.

In August 2014 it was announced that Coventry City Ladies would be moving to the stadium for the 2014–15 season.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-28698307|title=Coventry City Ladies Football Club will call the Ricoh Arena home this season|date=8 August 2014|publisher=BBC|work=BBC News|access-date=10 August 2014}} However the team had to return to the Oval in Bedworth during the season after Wasps' purchase of the arena.

On 22 April 2007, the arena hosted its first ever rugby union match when Northampton Saints hosted Wasps (then known as London Wasps in an all-English Heineken Cup semi-final. 16,186 fans saw Saints captain Bruce Reihana score the first ever try at the stadium but the London Wasps came from behind to win 30–13 to secure a place in the final.{{cite web|url=http://www.epcrugby.com/matchcentre/1939.php|title=Wasps join Tigers in Twickenham final : European Rugby Champions Cup (EPCR)|work=epcrugby.com|access-date=19 January 2016|archive-date=17 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117023453/http://www.epcrugby.com/matchcentre/1939.php|url-status=dead}}

London Wasps again played at the arena, this time hosting Irish side Munster on 10 November 2007 in a Heineken Cup fixture. Wasps narrowly won 24–23. The stadium hosted another Heineken Cup semi-final in the same season when Saracens chose it as their venue to play Munster. It was a close encounter that saw Munster win by two points with a score of 18–16.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/7367355.stm|title=Rugby Union – Saracens 16–18 Munster|work=BBC Sport |access-date=19 January 2016|date=27 April 2008}}

On 28 March 2009, the arena hosted the EDF Energy Cup semi-finals. The first semi-final saw Gloucester beat their Welsh opponents Ospreys with a score of 17–0.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/7962048.stm|title=Rugby Union – Gloucester 17–0 Ospreys|work=BBC Sport|access-date=19 January 2016|date=28 March 2009}} A total of 26,744 people turned up with them also witnessing Cardiff Blues beat Northampton Saints 11–5.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/7962066.stm|title=Rugby Union – Cardiff Blues 11–5 Northampton|work=BBC Sport|access-date=19 January 2016|date=28 March 2009}}

The arena was one of several venues that put in a bid to host Rugby World Cup matches in 2015 as England were announced as hosts on 28 July 2009. However, the venue was unsuccessful in their bid with Villa Park and the Leicester City Stadium becoming the chosen venues within the Midlands to host tournament matches.{{cite news|url = http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/rugby-world-cup-2015-coventry-3317689|title = Coventry lose out on Rugby World Cup|work= Coventry Telegraph}}

In September 2014, Simon Gilbert of the Coventry Telegraph broke the news that Wasps (formerly London Wasps) were in talks to permanently relocate to the arena, from their home at Adams Park, in High Wycombe.{{cite news|url=http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/rugby-club-wasps-talks-buy-7792990|title=Rugby club Wasps in talks to buy major stake in Ricoh Arena|work=Coventry Telegraph|date=18 September 2014|access-date=4 October 2015}} In October 2014 Wasps announced that from December 2014 they would play their home games at the Coventry Building Society Arena.{{cite news |url=http://www.wasps.co.uk/news/article/2014/10/08/the-ricoh-arena-q-as |title=Ricoh Stadium Move |date=8 October 2014 |work=Wasps RFC |publisher=Wasps RFC |access-date=8 October 2014 |archive-date=10 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010204542/http://www.wasps.co.uk/news/article/2014/10/08/the-ricoh-arena-q-as |url-status=dead }} On 14 November 2014 Wasps confirmed the purchase of the final 50% of shares in the stadium from the Alan Edward Higgs Charity to become outright owners of the facility.{{cite news|url=http://www.wasps.co.uk/news/article/2014/11/14/wasps-confirm-100-shareholding-in-the-ricoh-arena |title=Wasps Confirm 100% Shareholding In The Ricoh Arena |date=14 November 2014 |work=Wasps RFC |publisher=Wasps RFC |access-date=14 November 2014}}

After Wasps purchased the remaining 50% from the Alan Edward Higgs Charity in November 2014, the club announced that the north stand would be renamed "The Higgs Charity Stand", and added that 50 pence would be donated to the charity from each ticket sold in that stand.

Wasps played their first home match as owners at the stadium against London Irish on 21 December 2014. The match saw Coventry-born Andy Goode set a Premiership Rugby record with the most points scored in a single match with a total of 33. It was not the only record broken at the time as the attendance of 28,254 meant it was the largest attendance at a Rugby Premiership match at a recognised home ground.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/30501550|title=Premiership: Wasps 48–16 London Irish|work=BBC Sport|access-date=19 January 2016}}

The Rugby Premiership attendance record was broken again when Leicester Tigers came to the arena. The overall attendance was 32,019, meaning it was the highest attendance at the stadium for a sporting event as well as the largest attendance at a Rugby Premiership match at a recognised home ground. Leicester Tigers beat Wasps by a score of 26–21 on their first trip to the stadium.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/32595867|title=Premiership: Wasps 21–26 Leicester Tigers|newspaper=BBC Sport|access-date=19 January 2016|date=9 May 2015}}

Samoa became the first international side to play at the stadium in a Rugby World Cup warm-up match when they faced Wasps on 5 September 2015.

Wasps recorded their biggest ever win in the Champions Cup on 15 October 2016 when they defeated Italian side Zebre 82–14 after scoring twelve tries.{{cite news|url=http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/rugby/wasps-earn-stripes-club-record-12026478|title=Wasps earn their stripes with club record demolition of Zebre|last=Smith|first=Paul|date=15 October 2016|newspaper=Coventry Telegraph|access-date=16 October 2016}}

On 28 November 2022, all external Wasps signage was removed from the stadium, confirming the end of their association with the stadium.{{cite web |last=Turner |first=Andy |date=28 November 2022 |title=Wasps signage and logos removed at Coventry Building Society Arena |url=https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/football/football-news/coventry-city-wasps-cbs-arena-25622655 |access-date=13 December 2022 |website=CoventryLive }} Internal signage has also since been removed.

File:Colin Fleming and Jonny Jonny Marray.jpg

The arena was selected to host the Great Britain versus Russia Group One second-round tie of the 2013 Davis Cup tennis competition on 5–7 April.{{cite news|url=http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/davis-cup-tennis-coming-ricoh-3014220|title=Ricoh Arena set to host Great Britain Davis Cup tie|date=31 January 2013|work=Coventry Observer|access-date=15 March 2013}} Great Britain earned a shock 3–2 victory over Russia after they were trailing 2–0 in the tie. On Friday 5 April, Russia's Dmitry Tursunov beat Great Britain's Dan Evans and Evgeny Donskoy defeated James Ward, which put Russia 2–0 ahead. On the Saturday, Great Britain's Colin Fleming and Jonny Marray won the doubles match against Igor Kunitsyn and Victor Baluda. On Sunday, Great Britain completed the comeback when Ward got the win against Tursunov and Evans beat Donskoy.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/22059002 |work=BBC Sport |title=Davis Cup 2013: Great Britain shock Russia in Coventry|publisher=BBC|date=7 April 2013|access-date=7 January 2014}}

After the revival of the Champion of Champions snooker tournament, the arena was chosen as the venue for its first tournament since 1980.{{cite news|url=http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/coventrys-ricoh-arena-host-champion-3316634|title=Ricoh to host Champion of Champions snooker|date=2 May 2013|work=Coventry Telegraph|access-date=18 June 2014}} After a successful event, The Coventry Building Society Arena became the annual venue for the competition until 2019 after hosting it again in 2014{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/29982983|title=Champion of Champions: Ronnie O'Sullivan beats Judd Trump|newspaper=BBC Sport|access-date=19 January 2016|date=9 November 2014}} as well as 2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/tournaments/champion-of-champions-2015/|title=Champion of Champions 2015 – World Snooker|work=World Snooker|access-date=19 January 2016}}

Premier League Darts was held at the venue on two occasions with the first being on 21 February 2008 and the second being on 19 February 2009.{{cite web|url=http://www.pdc.tv/page/PremierLeagueDetail/0,,10180~1563246,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090222130154/http://www.pdc.tv/page/PremierLeagueDetail/0,,10180~1563246,00.html|title=Planet Darts – Tournaments – Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts – Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts – Premier League Darts – Night Three|archive-date=22 February 2009|access-date=19 January 2016}} Due to the rising demand for tickets in the PDC, it has not been a venue to audiences since. The venue has other minor PDC tournaments and those without audiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as BDO competitions.{{cite news|url=http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/whats-on/whats-on-news/darts-greats-set-ricoh-arena-7724219|title=Darts greats set for Ricoh Arena show|first=James |last=Rodger|date=5 September 2014|work=Coventry Telegraph|access-date=19 January 2016}}

The stadium hosted its first-ever American football game on 6 May 2007, when the Coventry Cassidy Jets beat then British national champions London Olympians 27–20.{{cite web|url=http://www.cassidyjets.com/newsresults.php?newsid=85|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004081653/http://www.cassidyjets.com/newsresults.php?newsid=85|archive-date=4 October 2011|url-status=usurped|title=Welcome to the Cassidy Jets Website! – News|date=4 October 2011}} The Jets had hoped to play their inaugural EFAF Cup game against Madrid Bears on 29 April but they were forced to change venue to the Manor Park Stadium in Nuneaton. The Heineken Cup the previous week to the Madrid game had led to CCFC objecting in case of damage to the pitch.{{cite web|url=http://www.cassidyjets.com/newsresults.php?newsid=79|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004081702/http://www.cassidyjets.com/newsresults.php?newsid=79|url-status=usurped|title=Welcome to the Cassidy Jets Website! – News|date=4 October 2011|archive-date=4 October 2011}}

The stadium hosted a rugby league fixture for the first time when the Coventry Bears took on the Keighley Cougars at the stadium on 8 May 2016 in a League 1 encounter.{{cite web|url=https://coventryobserver.co.uk/sport/ricoh-arena-set-host-first-ever-rugby-league-clash-coventry-bears-take-keighley-cougars/|title=Ricoh Arena set to host first ever rugby league clash as Coventry Bears take on Keighley Cougars|work=Coventry Observer|date=12 April 2016|accessdate=14 April 2016}}

File:England v Scotland Rugby League Four Nations.jpg

A record home crowd for the Coventry Bears of 1,097 watched the side lose to the Cougars. The arena also hosted a 2016 Rugby League Four Nations double-header in November as England defeated Scotland and Australia defeated New Zealand at the stadium in front of 21,009 people.{{cite web|url=http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/other-sport/rugby-league/international-rugby-league-heading-coventrys-11223376|title=Rugby League's Four Nations internationals heading to Coventry|first=Aidan|last=McCartney|date=22 April 2016}}

File:Aus v Sco RLWC2021.jpg

The arena held the rugby sevens, wrestling and judo events at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

• The first concert held at the arena was by Bryan Adams on 23 September 2005. The bar in the Eon Lounge, overlooking the pitch, was named The Bryan Adams Bar after the Canadian rocker.
• Almost 40,000 people saw Oasis play a concert at the stadium on 7 July 2009.{{cite news|url=http://blogs.coventrytelegraph.net/ladslounge/2009/07/oasis-at-coventry-ricoh-arena.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20130715005300/http://blogs.coventrytelegraph.net/ladslounge/2009/07/oasis-at-coventry-ricoh-arena.html|archive-date=15 July 2013 |title=Oasis at Coventry Ricoh Arena: Our review}}
• Scouting for Girls performed on 30 November 2008, in the Ericsson Exhibition Hall.
• Coldplay performed a sold-out show at the venue on 29 May 2012 as part of their Mylo Xyloto Tour.
• Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band performed a concert to a sell-out crowd of 37,262 on 20 June 2013 as part of their Wrecking Ball Tour. They performed again on 3 June 2016 as part of their The River 2016 Tour in front of a sold-out crowd of 36,588 people.
• Multiplay's Insomnia Festival was hosted at the Ricoh Stadium from 2014 until 2016 when it moved to the NEC.{{cite web|url=http://insomniagamingfestival.com/|title=Insomnia Gaming Festival |access-date=8 February 2015}}
• Rihanna performed at the stadium as a part of her Anti World Tour on 25 June 2016.{{cite news|url=http://www.ricoharena.com/entertainment/rihanna/|title=Rihanna 2016 Tour|access-date=28 November 2015|archive-date=2 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202203625/http://www.ricoharena.com/entertainment/rihanna/|url-status=dead}}
• MTV Crashes came to the venue on Friday 27 May and Saturday 28 May 2016, which included Chase & Status and Kaiser Chiefs on the first night while the second night was headlined by The Chainsmokers as part of Club MTV.{{cite web|title = MTV Crashes Coventry 'exciting artists' to be revealed 'in next few weeks'|url = http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/whats-on/whats-on-news/mtv-crashes-coventry-exciting-artists-10834898|work = Coventry Telegraph|access-date = 5 February 2016|first = Fionnuala|last = Bourke|date = 5 February 2016}}
• On Thursday 17 November 2016, Catfish and the Bottlemen performed to a sellout crowd in the Ericsson Exhibition Hall.
• On Saturday 2 June 2018 the Rolling Stones played the Arena as part of their No Filter Tour, Mick Jagger and the crowd sang Happy Birthday to Charlie Watts, who was celebrating his 77th Birthday.
• The Spice Girls performed for two nights at the arena, including one sold-out concert, on 3 and 4 June 2019 as part of their Spice World – 2019 Tour.{{cite web |last1=Sandford |first1=Elis |title=Spice Girls: What the Ricoh experience was like on day two |url=https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/spice-girls-ricoh-arena-coventry-16386299 |website=CoventryLive |access-date=9 June 2019|date=6 June 2019 }}
• Rammstein performed at the stadium on 26 June 2022.
• Harry Styles performed at the arena on 22 and 23 May 2023 as part of his Love On Tour.
• Arctic Monkeys performed on 31 May 2023.

When the ground first opened, the stand was known as the Coventry Evening Telegraph stand and was the main stand for Coventry City supporters that sang during games. After the sponsorship deal ran out for the stand, it became known as the North Stand, but was then renamed again after the Wasps' purchase of the Alan Higgs Charity share of Arena Coventry Limited. After attendances dropping due to boycotts against the ownership, Coventry City announced that for the 2014–15 season that the stand would be closed for football matches due to costs but would be opened if the demand is there, however tickets could still be bought there for Wasps' fixtures. Coventry City reopened the North Stand ahead of the 2021–22 season.

The only two-tier stand at the stadium, it consists of a larger lower tier below the upper tier, which consists of corporate hospitality boxes. Also situated on this side of the stadium are hotel rooms, which have a view of the pitch. In the corner between this stand and the South Stand is a police control box.{{cite web|title = Ricoh Arena {{!}} Coventry City FC {{!}} Football Ground Guide|url = http://www.footballgroundguide.com/leagues/england/league-one/ricoh-arena-coventry-city.html|website = www.footballgroundguide.com|access-date = 5 February 2016|first = Duncan|last = Adams}} This is the only stand that offers cushioned seats and it also provides seating for directors as well as the media.

The East Stand provided a video screen in the corner by the South Stand until 2018. This corner soon became known as the singers' corner to Coventry fans as first called by Aidy Boothroyd, when he was manager of the Sky Blues. This is where the main cameras are positioned. The stand has been formerly known as the NTL stand and the Tesco Stand. In 2021, in response to Coventry Building Society's sponsorship deal, the black seats which previously spelt Ricoh were rearranged to spell Wasps. Following Wasps' bankruptcy and the purchase of the ground by Mike Ashley, the Wasps seats were removed and replaced with seats that spelt Frasers.{{cite web|last=Bridge|first=Bobby|date=4 July 2021|title=Arena makes first big change after rebrand and not everyone's happy|url=https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/coventry-building-society-arena-makes-20965858|access-date=2 August 2021|website=CoventryLive}}

This stand is used for away supporters for Coventry City football matches and only opened for rugby matches when needed due to extra demand. However, the stand has opened for home supporters in the past for Coventry City fixtures against Gillingham and Crewe Alexandra as there was heavy demand by the home support but there were no large followings from the away sides. Clubs such as Sheffield Wednesday, Chelsea, West Ham United, Leicester City, Wolves, Sunderland and Leeds United have sold out the stand in the past. The stand has had previous names in the past due to naming rights. In October 2018, the capacity of the stand was reduced when a new large screen was installed to replace the previous one situated between the South and East stands.{{cite web | url=https://www.wasps.co.uk/news/big-screen-launch/ |title = Big screen launch}}

File:Ricoh Arena - geograph.org.uk - 901396.jpg football matches.]]

The stadium bowl has a seating capacity of 32,609 with the overall capacity rising to 40,000 for concerts and has easy access to refreshments for customers from the many bar and food outlets around the bowl. Access for production is accessible via two main tunnels on the pitch and the stadium bowl also has back of house facilities meeting artist and production standards.{{cite web|url=http://www.ricoharena.com/organising-an-event/entertainment/stadium-bowl/|title=Stadium Bowl|access-date=19 January 2016|archive-date=28 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128110027/http://www.ricoharena.com/organising-an-event/entertainment/stadium-bowl/|url-status=dead}}

The Stadium bowl is the main venue for its sporting events as it currently hosts Coventry City's home fixtures as well as hosting top sporting events such as 2012 Olympic Football matches and Heineken Cup semi-finals.

It has also hosted music concerts with Muse, Bon Jovi, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Take That, Bruce Springsteen, Oasis, Pink, Rolling Stones, Rihanna, Spice Girls and Kings of Leon all performing on the outdoor pitch. Coldplay also performed there with tickets selling out in ninety minutes.

The Indoor Arena – Coventry,{{cite web|last=Campelli |first=Matthew |date=4 August 2016|title=Ricoh Arena Exhibition Hall renamed following technology deal with Ericsson {{!}} Leisure Opportunities news|url=http://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/news/Ricoh-Arena-Wasps-Wasp-Netball-technology-stadium-fan-engagement/325982|access-date=27 January 2021|website=www.leisureopportunities.co.uk}} formerly the Jaguar Exhibition Hall and Ericsson Exhibition Hall, is 6,000 square metres and column-free. The first ever gig at The Coventry Building Society Arena was held in the Exhibition hall when Bryan Adams played to a sell-out 8,000 crowd. The current maximum capacity is 12,000.{{cite web|url=https://www.ricoharena.com/book-your-event/music/|title=Music events at Ricoh Arena {{!}} Ricoh Arena {{!}} Wasps|website=www.ricoharena.com|access-date=22 May 2019|archive-date=18 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190618080113/https://www.ricoharena.com/book-your-event/music/|url-status=dead}} Florence and the Machine, Scouting for Girls, The Enemy as well as the Specials (twice) have all performed in the hall.{{cite web|url=http://www.ricoharena.com/organising-an-event/entertainment/jaguar-indoor-arena/|title=Jaguar Indoor Arena|access-date=19 January 2016|archive-date=28 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128140029/http://www.ricoharena.com/organising-an-event/entertainment/jaguar-indoor-arena/|url-status=dead}}

It is also the host to the Champion of Champions snooker competition annually and was home to Netball Superleague side Wasps Netball between February 2017 and their final season in 2022. The hall has also hosted major events such as the Davis Cup in 2013.

Besides Entertainment and Sport the indoor arena is also used as the counting hall for Council and Parliamentary Elections within Coventry and occasionally Nuneaton/Bedworth.

The site includes a 121 bedroom DoubleTree by Hilton hotel including 50 rooms with pitch-side views of the stadium bowl.{{cite web|url=http://doubletree3.hilton.com/en/hotels/united-kingdom/doubletree-by-hilton-hotel-at-the-ricoh-arena-coventry-CVTRADI/index.html|title=Coventry Accommodation at The Ricoh Arena Hotel|access-date=31 October 2016}} All of the rooms are en-suite as well as coming with access to satellite TV and wi-fi. The Singers Bar & Bistro is available for hotel guests to use, which is divided into a restaurant, bar area and coffee lounge.{{cite web|url=http://www.ricoharenahotel.com/dining-en.html|title=Coventry Bar & Bistro Restaurant – Singers Bistro & Bar|access-date=19 January 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924091056/http://www.ricoharenahotel.com/dining-en.html|archive-date=24 September 2015 }}

A second Hampton by Hilton branded 150-room hotel was due to open at the site from late 2022.{{cite web|title=A new 150-room hotel at one of the Midlands' premier sporting and leisure complexes.|url=https://www.ricoharena.com/news/a-new-150-room-hotel-at-one-of-the-midlands-premier-sporting-and-leisure-complexes/|access-date=15 March 2021|website=www.ricoharena.com}}{{cite web |last1=Davis |first1=Tom |title=New Hilton hotel in Coventry to be finished by 2022 |url=https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/new-hilton-hotel-coventry-finished-19133222 |website=Coventry Telegraph |access-date=9 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023115615/https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/new-hilton-hotel-coventry-finished-19133222 |archive-date=23 October 2020 |date=21 October 2020 |quote=We are delighted that the planning application has been approved and our focus now moves on to the construction of the hotel, which we hope to conclude by late 2022.}}

The casino is built under the ground and has a standalone Show Bar, which has had live entertainment such as Rebecca Ferguson performing. There is a 120-seater poker room as well as other casino games on offer such as blackjack, roulette and slots. There is a gaming lounge, which shows the big televised sporting events.{{cite web|url=http://www.ricoharena.com/visiting-us/g-casino/|title=G Casino – Ricoh Arena|access-date=19 January 2016|archive-date=16 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160216034900/http://www.ricoharena.com/visiting-us/g-casino/|url-status=dead}}

There are club shops situated at the stadium, where it is possible to buy merchandise and match tickets for all teams. Coventry City moved all its staff and stock out of the complex in March 2013. A new combined club shop and ticket office for Coventry City opened ahead of the 2021–22 season, this is the first time Coventry City have had a club shop at the arena since 2013 after relocating the club shop to Gallagher Retail Park and then to the Arena Park Shopping Centre, and the ticket office having been situated at the Butts Park Arena.{{cite web|last=Turner|first=Andy|date=12 March 2021|title=Sky Blues are moving their ticket office back to the Ricoh|url=https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/football/football-news/coventry-city-ricoh-ticket-office-20110468|access-date=14 March 2021|website=CoventryLive}} Coventry opened a second club shop in West Orchards Shopping Centre in July 2022.

A 400 square metre sports bar opened at the arena in 2021, located by the front door in the space previously occupied by Wasps' club shop.{{cite web|title=State-of-the-art Sports Bar Set To Open At Ricoh Arena|url=https://www.ricoharena.com/news/state-of-the-art-sports-bar-set-to-open-at-ricoh-arena/|access-date=11 March 2021|website=www.ricoharena.com}} The bar is named The Anecdote.{{cite web|last=Bridge|first=Bobby|date=12 March 2021|title=What the new Ricoh Arena sports bar will be called|url=https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/ricoh-arena-sports-bar-20099842|access-date=14 March 2021|website=CoventryLive}}

{{main|Arena Park Shopping Centre}}

The Arena Shopping Park is also on the same site of The Coventry Building Society Arena but is not operated by Arena Coventry Limited. It is instead owned by Tesco with a large Tesco Extra store available to customers. Other stores such as Next, New Look, Boots, Marks and Spencer, Currys and Decathlon are also at the shopping park with other smaller unit shops like Game, Clinton Cards and TUI travel agent inside the mall where Tesco Extra is situated.{{cite web|url=http://www.arenashopping.com/store/|title=Stores Archive – Arena Shopping Park|work=Arena Shopping Park|access-date=19 January 2016|archive-date=23 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160123173018/http://www.arenashopping.com/store/|url-status=dead}}

{{See also|Coventry Arena railway station}}

File:Coventry Arena railway station under construction.jpg

File:Ricoh Arena - geograph.org.uk - 1015915.jpg

The stadium is situated on the northern side of Coventry, {{Convert | 1 | mi | spell = in}} south of junction 3 of the M6 motorway, on the A444 road from Coventry to Nuneaton.{{cite web|url=http://www.ricoharena.com/visiting-us/travel/how-to-get-here/|title=How To Get Here|access-date=19 January 2016|archive-date=28 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128124540/http://www.ricoharena.com/visiting-us/travel/how-to-get-here/|url-status=dead}} The railway line between Coventry and Nuneaton is immediately adjacent and Coventry Arena railway station which opened on 18 January 2016.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-35341487 |title=Coventry Arena and Bermuda Park railway stations open |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC |date=18 January 2016 |access-date=18 January 2016}} It is located in the small suburb of Rowley's Green, between two larger suburbs, namely Holbrooks to the west, and Longford to the east. The stadium was constructed on the former site of the Foleshill gasworks complex (which fell within the former Foleshill civil parish and, until 1932, Foleshill Rural District), although what is today considered the Foleshill district begins around {{Convert | 1/2 | mi | 1 | spell = in}} to the south-east. The stadium is located within {{Convert | 1/4 | mi | 1 | spell = in}} of the boundary with the borough of Nuneaton and Bedworth and the county of Warwickshire. It is adjacent to the Arena Park Shopping Centre.

From the city centre, National Express Coventry routes 3{{cite web |title=3 Arena Shopping Park – University Hospital |url=https://nxbus.co.uk/coventry/services-timetables/3-arena-shopping-park-university-hospital |access-date=3 May 2022 |website=nxbus.co.uk |archive-date=3 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220503073624/https://nxbus.co.uk/coventry/services-timetables/3-arena-shopping-park-university-hospital |url-status=dead }} & 5{{cite web |title=5 Coventry City Centre – Arena Shopping Park |url=https://nxbus.co.uk/coventry/services-timetables/5-coventry-city-centre-arena-shopping-park |access-date=3 May 2022 |website=nxbus.co.uk |archive-date=22 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122083049/https://nxbus.co.uk/coventry/services-timetables/5-coventry-city-centre-arena-shopping-park |url-status=dead }} bus go to the Arena Park Shopping Centre. Routes 20, 20A, 20B & 20C,{{cite web |title=20 Coventry City Centre – Nuneaton |url=https://nxbus.co.uk/coventry/services-timetables/20-coventry-city-centre-nuneaton |access-date=3 May 2022 |website=nxbus.co.uk |archive-date=3 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220503073623/https://nxbus.co.uk/coventry/services-timetables/20-coventry-city-centre-nuneaton |url-status=dead }} and Stagecoach Midlands Route 48{{cite web |title=Timetable PDF |url=https://www.stagecoachbus.com/timetable-pdf |access-date=3 May 2022 |website=www.stagecoachbus.com }} stop nearby on Foleshill Road. It is also served by Arriva Midlands routes 78 & 78A, and Stagecoach Midlands routes 60 & 703.

When arriving by train to Coventry, the number 8 bus can be caught at the railway station to the Transport Museum.{{cite web|url=http://www.ricoharena.com/visiting-us/travel/bus-train-taxi-information/|title=Bus, Taxi and Train Information – Ricoh Arena|access-date=19 January 2016|archive-date=18 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160118110349/http://www.ricoharena.com/visiting-us/travel/bus-train-taxi-information/|url-status=dead}} There is a railway station located at the stadium but it was announced in August 2015 that the new station will be closed following major events at the stadium.{{cite news |last1=Gilbert |first1=Simon |title=Coventry City FC and Wasps RFC fans warned not to use new Ricoh Arena train station |url=https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/coventry-city-fc-wasps-rfc-9920187 |access-date=23 March 2021 |work=Coventry Telegraph |publisher=Reach plc |date=25 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150826210614/https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/coventry-city-fc-wasps-rfc-9920187 |archive-date=26 August 2015 |location=Coventry}}{{cite news |title=Coventry City fans cannot use Ricoh Arena rail station |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hereford-worcester-34050354 |access-date=23 March 2021 |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC |date=26 August 2015}} It was announced that trains will be provided to transport 1,000 extra supporters for the Wasps' fixtures against Harlequins on 28 February and Leicester Tigers on 12 March 2016 as a trial run. London Midland and Wasps will review the trial run before deciding any more decisions with Coventry City "hopeful" that they will eventually benefit from the services.{{cite news |last1=Gilbert |first1=Simon |title=Coventry City FC fans could benefit from Ricoh Arena train station service |url=http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/coventry-city-fc-fans-could-10881364 |access-date=23 March 2021 |work=Coventry Telegraph |publisher=Reach plc |date=13 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160214082843/http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/coventry-city-fc-fans-could-10881364 |archive-date=14 February 2016 |location=Coventry}}

The table shows the top ten attendances at the Coventry Building Society Arena for sporting events, in order of attendance.

{{unreferenced section|date=June 2022}}

The table shows the highest attendances of Coventry City and Wasps fixtures each season

This table shows the average attendances for league matches played at the Coventry Building Society Arena for both Coventry City and Wasps.

Football and Rugby Records

Hat Tricks Scored at The Arena

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Coventry Building Society Arena}}

• [https://www.coventrybuildingsocietyarena.co.uk/ Official website]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20120718231740/http://www.london2012.com/venue/city-of-coventry-stadium/ London 2012 Olympics profile]
• [http://www.wasps.co.uk/ Wasps]
• [https://www.ccfc.co.uk/ Coventry City]
• [https://www.coventrybuildingsociety.co.uk/ Coventry Building Society]

{{EFL Championship venues}}

{{English Premiership (rugby union) venues}}

{{2012 Summer Olympic venues}}

{{Olympic venues football}}

{{2021 RLWC Venues}}

{{2022 Commonwealth Games venues}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Coventry City F.C.

Category:Wasps RFC

Category:Rugby union stadiums in England

Category:Sports venues in Coventry

Category:Sports venues completed in 2005

Category:Venues of the 2012 Summer Olympics

Category:Darts venues

Category:Snooker venues

Category:2005 establishments in England

Category:Football venues in England

Category:English Football League venues

Category:Netball venues in England

Category:Rugby league stadiums in England

Category:2022 Commonwealth Games venues

Category:Rugby sevens at the 2022 Commonwealth Games

Category:Wrestling at the 2022 Commonwealth Games

Category:Judo at the 2022 Commonwealth Games