Coventry's bowl, the Ricoh Arena. (Ricoh Arena (Coventry City))

Member Name: drakesdrum

Product:	Ricoh Arena (Coventry City)
Date:	24/06/09 (84 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Generally good facilities, clean, easily accessible for cars, decent bus service.

Disadvantages: Lack of character and soul, too far from city centre and train station.

The Ricoh Arena is home of Coventry City Football Club, where I had a season ticket in the 07/08 season while I was at Coventry University. The stadium holds 32,609 for the football matches and the ticket prices vary depending on where you sit and who you are, adult, child, etc. For me personally, I was able to buy a student season ticket which now if I were to buy again, would cost £156 in a 'zone 3' area. There are 3 zones and a junior zone too and the prices differ depending on which zone, zone 1 is the most expensive and it works down from there. I would say that every zone and every seat has a good view of the pitch so I didn't mind sitting in zone 3 at all, it saved me money too! £156 for a full season of Championship football is excellent value and certainly in the season I viewed there were many exciting matches week-in week-out. For an adult a season ticket in zone 3 costs £310 for the upcoming season, which again I think is good value compared to many other Championship clubs. In zone 1, an adult season ticket would cost £455 and for the difference in seat quality I don't think it constitutes an extra £145 personally.
For matchday tickets, an adult in zone 1 would cost £28, zone 2 £25 and zone 3 £19. Under 7s are free.

The stadium has a soulless feel about it. There is no character and no unique features about it that set it apart. It feels very Americanised and the location next to a shopping centre just adds to that feel. The location is excellent for people driving to the stadium as it is near to the M6 but parking can be difficult. The carparks around the stadium fill up quickly and your best bet would probably be in the scrawling car-park of the shopping centre, however this can get filled quickly too with fans and shoppers. The stadium is located miles away from the train station. Personally I don't mind long walks but I wouldn't fancy finding my way on foot to this stadium as I would have to navigate through many confusing underpasses and roads to get there. If one was travelling by train, your best walking or taking a bus to the city centre (the buses are frequent) and then getting a bus from the large bus station there to the stadium, which on a matchday costs £3.50 return, a little pricey but the bus does stop right outside the stadium and it is reliable, with many buses put on. For away supporters who aren't familiar with Coventry, navigating to the stadium would be a nightmare I'd imagine. It is poorly signposted in the city centre and the train station offers little information such as maps. You could get a taxi from the station which would cost in the region of £10-12. This is probably the best option if there is a few of you to split the cost.

As I mentioned earlier, the stadium is a soulles bowl with no identity, a sad reflection of modern times in football and is typical of many new football stadiums. I found this very sad and I didn't feel any great feelings for it at all. The shopping centre next to it is equally as soulless, however the huge tesco's located here is useful for pre-match food. The stadium does retain some atmosphere when noise is made, usually by the away supporters may I add! Coventry City fans are generally a friendly bunch and I feel sorry for them, they walk around looking tired of the club's plight but they remain passionate fans despite being given this soulless ground. They have some good chants which can be heard mainly in zone 1 areas in the Telegraph stand, which is opposite the away stand behind a goal. One stand of the Ricoh is designated to the media and friends, which I found sad as there was no atmosphere from that side of the ground at all and they are sat near the away fans, which is a little embarrassing to be honest. Then the other stand is the Tesco stand, where many of the older fans sit and they make minimal noise, although they are passionate supporters.

The food was of a decent quality although predictably, it was expensive. The Ricoh Arena is a cashless stadium, you have to buy a card and top it up before purchasing food. This has its faults and advantages. It's good as waiting times are cut because people aren't fishing around for coins, giving out change etc. However, it is annoying if you don't usually eat at the stadium and you have to get this card and top it up, it's a hassle and you probably won't spend exactly how much is on the card, making the food even more expensive! The card you recieve can be used at future games too.

The Ricoh Arena hosts large scale concerts in the Jaguar Exhibition Hall next to the stadium. I have never been to a concert here so unfortunately I can't comment on this but it's a good facility to have. Premier League Darts is also held here. The stadium also has a large casino, which they thrust down your throat at every available opportunity. The casino looks sleek and modern and contains everything you can expect a casino to have. The staff are friendly and it's a good addition to the stadium.

Overall the Ricoh Arena has a large array of facilities which are of a good standard but as a football venue it is a relatively soul crushing experience. If you aren't bothered about character in football stadiums and you are travelling by car, it is perfect. Otherwise, not a great experience.

Summary: Typical new football stadium, a soulless, Americanised bowl, but facilities are decent.