Ricoh Arena
New home of Coventry City FC - capacity 32,000


http://www.bbc.co.uk/coventry/content/images/2005/07/14/ricoh_july_gallery_09_470x270.jpg

http://www.bbc.co.uk/coventry/content/images/2005/07/14/ricoh_july_gallery_01_470x300.jpg

http://www.bbc.co.uk/coventry/content/images/2005/07/14/ricoh_july_gallery_06_470x350.jpg

http://www.bbc.co.uk/coventry/content/images/2005/07/14/ricoh_july_gallery_03_470x250.jpg

http://www.bbc.co.uk/coventry/content/images/2005/03/03/city_arena_march_05_gallery_16_300x330.jpg


For aeriel views go to http://www.webbaviation.co.uk/stadiums/coventry-stadium.htm

It's a fairly standard design, certainly nothing unique, but it'll do the job it's intended for (and hopefully bring us many wins!)

Completion date is August 20th (2005).

Roll on the new season http://www.wdisneyw.com/forums/images/smilies2004/cartwheel.gif

So i see coventry have looked for inspiration from middlesborough, derby, southampton et.c. Why have they continued this trend for bland, functional stadiums. It looks even more basic than the stadiums mentioned above (sorry coventry fans) and shows a lack of imagination. It will do it's job and look clean and presentable but probably a missed opportunity for the club. This is in contrast to the great designs of the emirates stadium, wembley, new anfield e.t.c., so at least we'll have some great new stadia in this country.

http://www.wdisneyw.com/forums/images/smilies/I-Agree.gif

it's a long uninteresting story as to why we've ended up with the simple box design, but i agree with you.

http://www.cwn.org.uk/skyblues/arena2000/images/arena2000a-w400-w259.jpg

The original design was stunning and would have been one of the best stadiums in Britain had it been built for the 2006 world cup. However, the Ricoh arena is still great news for Cov.

We now need a team worthy of the stadium, and the city.

http://www.martinwildig.com/pictures/houchengoal.jpg

i would say it is a little bit better than the other bowl stadiums but when will teams get the idea of building interesting stadiums like the modern baseball ones in the states!

The original design (back in 1999) was when us Sky Blues were still a half-decent Premiership outfit, and yes, it was intended to be a World Cup-standard stadium. However, following relegation in 2001, the fact that we did not go straight back up (as 'predicted') and a couple of contractor pull-outs, we have been left with the 'Blandbowl' design.

Considering it was designed by the same construction firm that built Cardiff's Millenium Stadium, this really is a missed opportunity. In fact it's even blander than St Mary's Stadium, which at least looks decent from the outside and has been well 'finished-off'. Sadly Coventry has gotten well-used to 'bog-standard' in terms of any of its built environment, and the Ricoh Stadium is no exception. The amazing lack of surrounding infrastructure for the stadium also comes as no surprise, considering the city council are very closely involved. The proposed 'Coventry North' rail station close to stadium never materialised and the parking is almost non-existent unless you want to pay well over the odds. Matchdays will see the adjacent retail park full-up with fan's cars and thereafter everyone else (ie, non-fans) will no doubt have to pay a premium to go shopping if the council have their way as it is opportunity for more revenue.

I'm aware the the stadium is not completely finished yet and it does have a few things going for it, such as great acoustics and decent facilities, which Highfield Road, bless it, was distinctly lacking. A more striking design along the lines of Bolton's Reebok Stadium, which looks like an alien starship, would have been ideal (their stadium also cost less than half as much to build in real terms) and a 28,000 seater would've been more than adequate (even a 25,000 seater like Reading's fine Madjeski Stadium would've sufficed).The Sky Blues simply don't have the fan base to fill a 32,000 seater each week, even if they get back to the Premiership next year.

There has been mention of the Ricoh in the 2018 world cup bid thread being a possible contender for a Midlands ground. Is it expandable at all - was it factored into the original design? I know that 32,000 is too small for a wc ground and there are the conference facilities on one side.

i actually like this stadium, those stands look huge

I went there last year and even though Wednesday filled their end and we sang our hearts out all night it just seemed to lack any atmosphere at all as the roof is too high above the seats where as St. Marys did appear to some as it is more enclosed as the roof is lower down, but both stadiums like a lot of newer grounds lack character as all the stands are identical. Of course I wouldn't say no to my ground having all 4 stands being like the current main south stand.

Ricoh Arena is a nice stadium, but lacks atmosphere...

i would say it is a little bit better than the other bowl stadiums but when will teams get the idea of building interesting stadiums like the modern baseball ones in the states!

when baseball gets popular over here i guess lol

Coventry can still expand their stadium right? especially if England get to host the World Cup 2018

I would imagine so, like any other new stand/stadium these days I expect.

Its a nice enough ground, but the roof is fairly high as mentioned.

Cannot see much chance of the Ricoh being expanded. Covs average attendance is 22,000 that means there are 10,000 empty seats on a matchday and i would'nt want to see anymore. However (!) if we do get back into the Premiership again I'm sure attendances would rise significantly. Clubs need to stop raising ticket prices though!

Some news...
The railway station that was planned will probably never be built. Being used only once or twice a week is just not profitable enough.
Also, one of the carparks is now going to have a hotel built on it.

I'm gonna try to find some pics that show off the stadium a bit better.

http://image.blog.livedoor.jp/jimmiebond007/imgs/6/2/6258fda9.jpg

http://image.blog.livedoor.jp/jimmiebond007/imgs/8/b/8b385d1b.jpg

http://image.blog.livedoor.jp/jimmiebond007/imgs/6/c/6cabe147.jpg

http://image.blog.livedoor.jp/jimmiebond007/imgs/d/0/d01440c3.jpg

:cheers:

http://p.vtourist.com/2583871-Sports_Travel-Coventry.jpg


http://www.matchtravel.nl/Coventry-city%20stadion.jpg

http://www.rigby-research.co.uk/news/press/ricoh.jpg


http://www.justinbrown.co.uk/qpr/coventry/Img_2494.jpg

http://www.saville.co.uk/news/pics/ricoh3.jpg

http://www.saville.co.uk/news/pics/ricoh1.jpg

http://www.saville.co.uk/news/pics/ricoh2.jpg


http://www.footballgroundsofengland.co.uk/images/Coventry-03.jpg

Its a nice stadium. Wolves took just under 5,000 during the week and most reports back to me said it was a very nice venue. Unfortunately I could'nt make it but next year I shall.

If were still in the same division.

http://k41.pbase.com/o4/83/333783/1/53519856.DSCF8984br.jpg

http://www.ccfc.premiumtv.co.uk/javaImages/5b/a9/0,,10269~2730331,00.jpg

View from one of the hotel rooms
http://www.uki.net/php/files/ricoharena.uki.net/pitch%20view%20room.jpg

Heath and Fitness club
http://www.uki.net/php/files/ricoharena.uki.net/ahfc.jpg

youtube clips:

Inside and outside
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZIlzKs7VlE

Players tunnel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZG01bW1xVQ

Bon Jovi concert:rock:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8-Z7DlJ1UE

http://www.webbaviation.co.uk/sports/gallery2/d/211-1/coventry-arena-aerial-aa09039b.jpg

Some news...
The railway station that was planned will probably never be built. Being used only once or twice a week is just not profitable enough.
Also, one of the carparks is now going to have a hotel built on it.

I'm gonna try to find some pics that show off the stadium a bit better.

The last report I read stated that the line between Nuneaton -> Coventry was going to put back into use again, and would eventually run between Nuneaton and Leamington to serve commuters. Part of this plan involves a station at Bermuda Park, one at the Ricoh and one in Kenilworth. They have already begun upgrading the line between Coventry and Leamington to two tracks (In places!) as part of this.

The "Bus Rapid Transit" system Sprint will also go to the Ricoh.

I think it's a waste of time - the Ricoh isn't an employment area and doesn't need the transport links as much as other areas do.

Surely this should be in the completed projects thread.

Seen as Wembley which is yet to be granted a safety certificate can be classed as completed I agree, this should be. My preference would of course just be to stick the Wembley thread back here so I don't have to remember to look in the Completed Thread as well!

The last report I read stated that the line between Nuneaton -> Coventry was going to put back into use again, and would eventually run between Nuneaton and Leamington to serve commuters. Part of this plan involves a station at Bermuda Park, one at the Ricoh and one in Kenilworth. They have already begun upgrading the line between Coventry and Leamington to two tracks (In places!) as part of this.

The "Bus Rapid Transit" system Sprint will also go to the Ricoh.

I think it's a waste of time - the Ricoh isn't an employment area and doesn't need the transport links as much as other areas do.

As i always say, it wont happen! They need to build a £15M flyover of the existing station to carry the local services. Coventry station is already near capacity and cant deal with services crossing all the lines every 15/30mins. It'd cause too much distruption to regional / national services.

officially, this stadium CAN NOT be expanded, at least that is what the experts say, but i have been told that the stadium could possibly be expanded to as much as 68,000 seats. The marconi stand (the only 2-tiered stand) cannot be expanded at all due to the conference halls, restaurant etc.
I am sure that, with the right amount of money, the stadium could definately be expanded, but at the moment, talk of expansion has been extinct at CCFC for many years now, even before we moved into the glorious, bigger ricoh arena...

It looks pretty good in every pic I've seen :) The first renders made it look like a slug, but the restaurant/conference halls bit looks good IMO. Ricoh must have paid a fortune to put advertising boards that big on the stadium?

As i always say, it wont happen! They need to build a £15M flyover of the existing station to carry the local services. Coventry station is already near capacity and cant deal with services crossing all the lines every 15/30mins. It'd cause too much distruption to regional / national services.

You'd better tell them to stop the upgrading work they're currently doing on the Coventry -> Leamington line.

So this article from last year is rubbish:

http://iccoventry.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0100localnews/tm_method=full%26objectid=18176707%26siteid=50003-name_page.html


What's this flyover for?

According to a report on the west midlands passenger transport authority website, there is plenty of capacity in the Nuneaton->Leamington line. Surely 15 million is peanuts? How much are they wasting on these empty buses running down bus lanes all day?

Surely this should be in the completed projects thread.

Er - why? It's (appropriately) in "Cultural and Sporting Venues" at the moment, not "Projects and Construction"...

Er - why? It's (appropriately) in "Cultural and Sporting Venues" at the moment, not "Projects and Construction"...

Wembley was shoved out to completed projects the second Multiplex downed tools, just wondering what the rules are here.

This should be here, as should Wembley, come on, if you can provide a joke as funny as the April Fools day joke, surely the real joke of separating Wembley from all the similar projects can also be rectified.

Went to the Ricoh yesterday. As far as out-of-town new builds go, it's an alright stadium. The stands are nice and steep and only one side is blighted by having tiers. I thought it was a decent atmosphere with good noise coming from the right hand side of the away end, but I suppose it was their biggest home league crowd for 30 years

Decent facilities underneath and good-sized bottles of booze. 500ml should be a minimum size

Went to the Ricoh yesterday. As far as out-of-town new builds go, it's an alright stadium. The stands are nice and steep and only one side is blighted by having tiers. I thought it was a decent atmosphere with good noise coming from the right hand side of the away end, but I suppose it was their biggest home league crowd for 30 years

Decent facilities underneath and good-sized bottles of booze. 500ml should be a minimum size


It feels and looks far better when there are 25k+ fans in there. Good support from Leeds.

6,350 away supporters was an excellent turnout!

I went there yesterday as well, my first ever time at the Ricoh. Really enjoyed myself, even though we lost.

Does anyone know why the Rioch Arena has replaced Villa Park as a host venue for the Football tournament at the 2012 Olympics?

^^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/olympic_games/8193075.stm

http://supermarketpeople.co.uk/sp/wp-content/uploads/RICOH-ARENA-AERIAL-758x454.jpg


http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/46124000/jpg/_46124243_ricoh_getty.jpg


http://images.planetf1.com/08/07/800x600/Coventry-City--Ricoh-Arena-General_1058236.jpg


http://www.thefa.com/~/media/Images/TheFA/Website/Stadia/Football%20League/Coventry_RicohArena.ashx/Coventry_RicohArena.jpg?bc=Black&as=1&db=web&thn=0

Highfield road was such a nice little ground..

Highfield road was such a nice little ground..


That place was utterly horrible.

How is it that this place looks so bloody boring to watch a game of football while in Germany, Mainz the Coface Arena looks spectacular.Similarish design,capacity cost and size of club:ohno:


http://www.rheinhessen-on-tour.de/_/stadionbau/18062011/images/_MG_9030.jpg

Because no one in this country has any vision.. What other country in the world would take a stadium design and replicate it around the country 15 times.. The stadiums being built all over Europe piss all over any new stadiums in this country. Its a complete embarrassment and i'm glad we didn't get the world cup..

The Ricoh is one of the better examples of new stadia in this country, and it's still truly dire.

It looks just like the rest of the new builds that pop up, right across the board. Why does everywhere have to look like it's made from spare materials left over from building the latest Tesco or shitty retail outlet?

Cosidering the extortionate sums of cash we pump into these clubs, surely we should expect something better than this? Is there absolutely no originality left?

The Coface Arena above looks grand, it has character. German stadiums are truly fantastic, and the new Franch grounds looks great too. However, ours should be on a par if not better considering the cash in our game along with the staggering attendances right down the league.

How is it that this place looks so bloody boring to watch a game of football while in Germany, Mainz the Coface Arena looks spectacular.Similarish design,capacity cost and size of club:ohno:


http://www.rheinhessen-on-tour.de/_/stadionbau/18062011/images/_MG_9030.jpg

German engineering is so much better than British, some of the grounds they do over there are fantastic compared to what we build at similar price/size even the smaller grounds say 10,000 capacity for example.

I don't think it helps the difference between the £ and Euro which does make things for them seem cheaper but we all seem to settle for the same boring design that is used around the country rather than try something new!

The problem is far too many new grounds in the U.K. are built to maximise profits and viewer satisfaction, rather than individuality or any sort of extraneous perks. The simple fact is the Ricoh has a capacity of 32k, with each seat having an unhindered view of the action, and plenty of executive boxes.

It seems most new builds are designed to tick all the necessary boxes.

The problem is far too many new grounds in the U.K. are built to maximise profits and viewer satisfaction, rather than individuality or any sort of extraneous perks. The simple fact is the Ricoh has a capacity of 32k, with each seat having an unhindered view of the action, and plenty of executive boxes.

It seems most new builds are designed to tick all the necessary boxes.

correct - looking at that Mainz ground, there's not a prawn sandwich box to break up the terraces in site. Makes for a better atmosphere too.