- Introduction
- About the Ricoh Arena: the essentials
- How to get to the Ricoh Arena by train?
- What to do at the Ricoh Arena?
- Travel tips for visiting the Ricoh Arena
- Conclusion
- Explore more stadium guides
Introduction
Initially opened in 2005, the Ricoh Arena, or the Coventry Building Society Arena for sponsorship purposes, is home to Coventry Football Club.
Getting the train to the Ricoh Arena is incredibly easy, as it has a dedicated station that serves the arena directly. So, travelling to the arena by train just makes sense.
In this article, we’ll divulge a little more about the arena and provide some more information on the best way to reach it via train.
About the Ricoh Arena: the essentials
Unusually for a football stadium in the UK, the Ricoh Arena contains an exhibition hall, a casino, a hotel, and a shopping centre. It hosts numerous concerts during the football off-season, too, and the arena’s central location in the UK makes it a popular multi-purpose venue even when the football has stopped for the summer break.
It has hosted numerous events in the past, including darts championships, the 2012 Olympic Games, and rugby union matches and was host to the Rugby World Cup in 2015. As well, numerous musical acts have played in the arena, including Rammstein, The Arctic Monkeys, Bruce Springsteen, Rihanna, and Harry Styles.
The arena has a capacity of almost 33,000 for football matches and 40,000 for concerts.
How to get to the Ricoh Arena by train?
The Ricoh Arena is a dedicated train station named Coventry Arena, whose sole purpose is to facilitate easy access to the arena that’s operated only by West Midlands Railway. Although the station closes one hour before and after events due to the heavy footfall, it is only a five-minute walk to the arena once you leave the station.
For people travelling from around the UK, it’s likely easier to first travel to Coventry Station and then switch trains for Coventry Arena. Given that the station closes early before events, it’s worth making sure you have plenty of time to reach the station before your event begins. Here are some popular routes to the stadium:
The journey from Coventry Station to Coventry Arena takes a measly seven minutes with West Midlands Trains.
2: Birmingham New Street to Coventry
It takes around forty-two minutes to reach Coventry Arena from Birmingham New Street with Avanti West Coast. First, you'll need to leave from Coventry Station and then take a West Midlands Trains service to reach the arena.
3: Northampton to Coventry
Getting from Northampton to Coventry with West Midlands Trains takes around fifty-three minutes. You’ll first need to depart from Coventry Station and then catch a West Midlands Trains service to the arena.
4: Leicester to Coventry
The journey from Leicester to Coventry takes around one and a half hours with CrossCountry. Begin your journey by departing from Coventry Station and then board a West Midlands Trains service to get to the arena.
What to do at the Ricoh Arena?
The Ricoh Arena is packed with things to do. It’s so much more than a football stadium. While you can still get your classic football stadium tour, where you’ll see all the behind-the-scenes stuff like the dugout, the players’ tunnel, changing rooms, and the club shop, there’s still tons to do at the Ricoh Arena.
There are tons of opportunities to spend your day, whether that’s after the match or before. For example, there’s a whole casino to explore, a convention centre, and a massive shopping mall named the Arena Park Shopping Centre, which is filled with big brands like Decathlon, Next, Nando’s, and Starbucks.
Travel tips for visiting the Ricoh Arena
When travelling to the Ricoh Arena, it’s worth remembering that Coventry Arena Station closes an hour before and after each event due to its limited capacity to accommodate the intense footfall. So, it’s worth leaving yourself plenty of time to get to and from the station if you are travelling by train. It’s also recommended that you get to the arena at least one hour before an event, so it’s a good idea to factor that into your schedule, too.
Booking your train tickets early is a great way to save time and money, and give you peace of mind, too. By being proactive, you can not only snag the cheapest fares available but you can also have the privilege of selecting your preferred seats. If you want to avoid crowds, booking off-peak tickets is a great way to travel while also saving money and, crucially, it typically comes with the benefit of lower ticket prices.
If you have a Railcard, don’t forget to apply it when you book your train tickets, as it will grant you a significant discount.
Conclusion
This comprehensive guide to reaching the Ricoh Arena by train provides you with all the necessary tools to ensure a smooth and cost-effective journey. By offering insights into the best travel routes, timing strategies, and ticketing options, the blog helps you plan effectively, avoiding common travel hassles. Whether you're attending a major sporting event or a concert, understanding how to navigate the rail network efficiently enhances your overall experience. This guide not only aids in saving money but also in reducing travel stress, allowing you to fully enjoy the vibrant atmosphere at the Ricoh Arena.
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