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Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43
Coventry Building Society Arena Phoenix Way, Rowleys Green Coventry, England CV6 6GE
Year Opened: 2005 Capacity: 32,753
You won't Sing the Blues at CBS Arena
Coventry Building Society Arena, also known as CBS Arena or Coventry City Arena, is a 32,609-seater that includes an exhibition Hall, a hotel, and a casino. The Arena Park Shopping Center contains one of the largest Tesco Extra hypermarkets in the country. The complex has every bit of something for the sports traveler.
The stadium opened in 2005 and replaced Highfield Field, which Coventry City called home for over a century from 1889-2006. The new, modern facility is owned and operated by the Wasps Rugby Football Club, which charges rent to City. It makes for an unusual agreement and has resulted in the club playing matches at St. Andrew’s in Birmingham for the past two years.
Sky Blues has been the club's nickname since 1898 but gained popularity in 1962 when manager Jimmy Hill reintroduced it after a 40-year hiatus. The colour has become synonymous with Coventry City, which includes the same seat hue inside the stadium.
Food & Beverage 4
The food options are very good at home matches: pies, pasties, hot dogs, hot chocolate, coffee, and tea. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are available inside the stadiums, with pies ranging from £2 to £4. The steak and ale pie is filling.
Atmosphere 3
The CBS Arena is one of the modern venues in the league, offering four stands that wrap around the field. The West Stand is two-tiered that offers corporate and hospitality suites, a police control box in the corner, and access to the hotel that has a pitch of the views. The South Stand is for away supporters and features a video board.
Outside the stadium are spots to check out, including the team shop, the Wall of Fame, and the Jimmy Hill statue. Certain blocks within the stadium stand out from another. It will depend on where you are seated. However, the views are great from the majority of the stadium.
Neighborhood 2
There is a large parking lot and a shopping complex outside the facility. There are places nearby to enjoy a pint before the match: The Longford Engine, Parkston Working Men’s Club, The Coach & Tavern, The Foleshill Gas Club, The Bird in Hand, Dhillon’s Brewing, Riley, and The Cherry Tree.
The Arches is an English and Indian fusion restaurant/pub worth having a meal at. Nashaa has traditional Indian cuisine, while chain restaurant Nando’s has peri peri chicken and other items. The Anecdote is located at the stadium and is a worthwhile place for Sky Blues fans to get together for something to eat before the game. The DoubleTree by Hilton has 121 rooms and 50 rooms that overlook the pitch at the stadium.
Fans 4
The Sky Blues fans have seen a lot in the last few years having the play at home away from home do the contract disputes with the Wasps. It would pressure most fan bases, but they have welcomed the club back to the CBS Arena with open arms. The fans provide an atmosphere that might be among the best in the Championship.
Access 5
The stadium is located outside the town center and features various parking lots for easy access by car. The venue is also accessible by train, which has a station nearby. There are copious bus routes that drop fans off near the arena: routes 3 and 5 at the shopping centre and routes 20, 20A, 20B, and 20C.
Inside the venue, the concourses are wide and provide services, bathrooms, concession stands, and other information spots within the facility. The fanbase is dedicated to specific areas, while away supporters are safe and sound in the South Stand in sections 6 to 9.
Return on Investment 4
The price of a ticket comes in three categories depending on the opponent. The cheapest adult ticket is £20, £25, and £33. Under 18 prices are as follows: £10, £15, and £20. The price of a pie is £3, hot chocolate £2.50, a pint of beer £4, and a programme is £3. The parking lot is £13 and is prepaid.
Extras 2
The Jimmy Hill statue and the Wall of Fame are worth posing for photos at the game. The taste of the pies is rather good.
Final Thoughts
CBS Arena is a very non-descript stadium but offers a few advantages for the atmosphere. While it's located outside the city for easy access by car or train, it doesn't stand out from other venues in the league in terms of aesthetics. Is it worth checking out of the match, Of course? However, it sort of falls in the middle-of-the-road category.