Coventry City travel guide
Thursday, 28th Feb 2008 18:32

Rangers have another midweek away game next week with a Wednesday night trip to Coventry.

Ground Name: Ricoh Arena
Capacity: 32 000 (all seated)
Address: Phoenix Way, Foleshill, Coventry, CV6 6GE
Main Telephone No: 0870 421 1987
Ticket Office: 024 7657 8000

By Car:
Off the M6 at Junction 3 and then park up in the first place you see. If you do want to drive to the ground follow the A444 towards the city centre and look for the ground after a mile. If you can't see it see an optician.

Map:

Click map to visit Multi Map site and zoom in/out or tour round.

Parking:
As with all new grounds the parking is an inadequate nightmare. Who would have thought visiting fans want to come by car? Never fear though, Coventry have a 'green travel plan' in place! Well thank goodness for that, never mind making the kick off, how big is your carbon footprint for this trip eh? EH? The 'green travel plan' runs as follows: Are you coming to the game on a bicycle? No? Well you are the spawn of Satan and we wish to have nothing to do with you.

Next the ground there is a Tesco where several friends of mine parked last season, although I'm not sure it's technically allowed so I'm not responsible for any tickets handed out. Failing that if you come off the M6 at juction three then take the first exit at the roundabout, and first exit again you can park in a field that offers a quick get away afterwards at a small price., We've used it last two visits and it was excellent.

There are a number of smaller car parks just off the M6 next to the ground. These all charge a fiver, some are private, some are official.

The people involved with the parking and drinking at the Black Horse got in touch last season. Leisure Ireland, located a few minutes drive away from Junction 3 of the M6, has 200 secure spaces next to the pub and you're straight out onto the M6 afterwards. The cost to park there is £4 per car and to find the car park, follow the 'pink arrow' signs from Junction 3 of the M6. Not sure if that's the case this season.

By Train
As with all new grounds it's miles away from the nearest station, who would have thought football fans want to come to a game by train anyway? Taxi is just about your best bet if arriving at the station in the middle of the city.

Even though this is a midweek game there is a train back afterwards. If you get the 1650 from Euston (arriving Coventry at 1801) and then the 2330 back (arriving 0102) then there is a ticket available still for £38 based on buying two singles. That will rise to £51 within the next couple of days and you could be charged more than £100 for turning up and paying on the day.

Pubs:
As with all new grounds pubs are few and far between near the ground. I mean how were they to know football supporters might fancy a drink before the match? On the last two seasons we've drunk in the Black Horse just the other side of the M6 and about a 15 minute walk from the away end. There's parking in a nearby field and we've always had a friendly welcome there before. Of course on our last two visits it was a Saturday match in gorgeous weather - the pub, and the subsequent walk - may not be as attractive if it's tipping it down.

Tickets
Rangers got an initial allocation of just over a thousand tickets and 600 of those remain although with Coventry only half filling their soulless new ground and the away end capable of holding 6000 people I dare say there will be plenty available on the night. Bought in advance adult tickets are £23 with concessions ranging from £8.50 to £10.50. On the night tickets rise to £4 for adults and £12 for all concessions.

Links:

Detailed fans' guide to the Ricoh Arena

Official website