Coventry City Football Matchday Guide

A practical guide to a Coventry City Football home game at the CBS Arena stadium for first-time visitors and away fans: getting there, parking, food and drink, and matchday tips.

Visiting Coventry City Football Club for the first time? This guide covers everything you need to plan your football matchday at the Coventry Building Society Arena, from choosing the right railway station and booking parking to finding the away end and organising your journey home.

The most important thing to understand is that the stadium is not in Coventry city centre. Coventry Arena station is beside the ground, while Coventry’s main railway station is several miles away in the city centre.

For most football supporters, the best option depends on the type of matchday they want:

• For the simplest journey to the stadium: travel to Coventry Arena station or pre-book parking near the ground.
• For pubs, restaurants and time in Coventry: arrive at Coventry’s main station and travel to the arena later.
• For the easiest journey home by car: do not automatically choose the parking space closest to the stadium.
• For an evening match: check the return journey before booking your football ticket or accommodation.

Quick answer: Coventry City play at the Coventry Building Society Arena, also known as the CBS Arena. The postcode is CV6 6AQ. Coventry Arena is the closest railway station and is only a short walk from the stadium. Coventry’s main station is in the city centre and requires another train, bus or taxi journey.

In this guide

• Before you travel
• Where is Coventry City’s stadium?
• What is the best way to reach the CBS Arena?
• Coventry Station or Coventry Arena station?
• Travelling from London
• Travelling from Birmingham
• Driving and parking at Coventry City
• Can you park at Arena Shopping Park?
• Where do away fans sit?
• When should you arrive?
• Tickets and stadium entry
• Bag policy and prohibited items
• Food and drink
• Where should away fans drink?
• Where should you stay?
• Accessibility
• Leaving after the football match
• A simple first-visit itinerary
• Quick answers
• Final matchday checklist

Before you travel

Check the fixture-specific information published by Coventry City Football Club and your own club before setting off.

Kick-off times, ticket arrangements, turnstile opening times, available parking and traffic restrictions can vary between football matches. Coventry City regularly publishes a dedicated matchday guide with the confirmed timings and practical information for each home fixture.

Before leaving home, make sure you have:

• downloaded or saved your match ticket;
• checked the confirmed kick-off time;
• reserved parking if you are driving;
• checked your return train or bus;
• saved any booking confirmations;
• brought a payment card or contactless device;
• checked the stadium’s bag and prohibited-item rules;
• read the latest information issued by the visiting club.

General guides can help you plan the day, but fixture-specific instructions from the clubs and the venue should always take priority.

Where is Coventry City’s stadium?

Coventry City Football Club play at the Coventry Building Society Arena, commonly shortened to the CBS Arena.

Stadium address

Coventry Building Society Arena
Judds Lane
Longford
Coventry
CV6 6AQ

The stadium is in the north of Coventry, close to Junction 3 of the M6. It is beside Arena Shopping Park and has its own railway station, Coventry Arena.

This location is useful for motorway access, but it can cause confusion for first-time visitors arriving at Coventry’s main railway station. The main station is in the city centre and is not within a short walk of the football ground.

What is the best way to reach the CBS Arena?

There is no single best route for every supporter. Your best option depends on where you are travelling from and what you want to do before the match.

Travelling directly to Coventry Arena station

Coventry Arena is the nearest railway station to the stadium. It is located beside the arena and is the most direct option when the train timetable works for your journey.

The local journey from Coventry’s main station to Coventry Arena takes around eight minutes. However, local services may be less frequent than national services into Coventry, so check the complete outward and return timetable before travelling.

This option is best when:

• you want to travel directly to the football ground;
• you do not plan to spend much time in the city centre;
• the local connection fits your arrival time;
• there is a suitable return service after the match.

Arriving at Coventry’s main station

Coventry’s main railway station is the better option when you want to visit the city centre before the football match.

From there, you can continue to the stadium by:

• local train to Coventry Arena;
• bus;
• taxi;
• pre-booked private hire vehicle.

Allow extra time for the connection, particularly before a sold-out fixture or an evening match.

This option is best when:

• you want to eat or drink in the city centre;
• you are staying in a central hotel;
• you want to visit Coventry before the match;
• your national train arrives well before kick-off.

Travelling by car

The CBS Arena is approximately 800 yards from Junction 3 of the M6 and is also accessible from the M1 and M40. Use CV6 6AQ for navigation, but follow temporary football matchday signs and traffic instructions when you reach the area.

Parking should normally be booked before travelling.

Coventry Station or Coventry Arena station?

Coventry and Coventry Arena are two different railway stations.

StationBest forLocationCoventryNational rail connections, city-centre hotels, pubs and restaurantsCoventry city centreCoventry ArenaDirect access to the CBS ArenaBeside the football stadium

Choose Coventry Station when you want to spend part of your matchday in the city centre.

Choose Coventry Arena when your priority is reaching the football ground directly and the timetable is suitable.

Do not search for “Coventry train station” and assume that the first result will be beside the stadium. This is one of the easiest mistakes for a first-time visitor to make.

Travelling from London

Coventry is served by direct trains from London Euston, making a Coventry City football match possible as a day trip from London.

However, your journey does not end when you arrive at Coventry’s main station. You will still need to reach the CBS Arena by local train, bus or taxi.

When planning the journey, check:

• the arrival time in Coventry;
• the connection to Coventry Arena;
• the time needed to reach the away turnstiles;
• the final services after an evening fixture;
• the possibility of delays after the match;
• whether your ticket allows you to use an alternative train.

The arena states that London Euston can be reached from Coventry in approximately 55 minutes on faster services, although actual journey times vary.

Avoid booking a very tight return connection. Football matches can finish later than expected because of stoppage time, VAR, crowd-control arrangements or post-match transport delays.

Travelling from Birmingham

Coventry has regular rail connections from Birmingham New Street, making Birmingham a practical arrival point or overnight base.

Birmingham may be particularly useful for:

• supporters travelling from northern or western parts of the country;
• visitors arriving through Birmingham Airport;
• international supporters;
• people who want a larger choice of hotels or nightlife.

Birmingham International Airport is around a 20-minute drive from the arena in normal traffic conditions.

Staying in Birmingham can provide more options, but it also means making another journey after the football match. Check late-night trains before deciding where to stay.

Driving and parking at Coventry City

The Coventry Building Society Arena has approximately 2,000 on-site parking spaces. Parking availability, prices and operating arrangements can vary according to the fixture.

Pre-booking is strongly recommended, especially for Premier League football matches, cup games and fixtures expected to attract a large crowd.

When comparing parking options, consider:

• the walking distance to your entrance;
• whether the space is official or privately managed;
• whether advance booking is required;
• the post-match release arrangements;
• the direction in which traffic will be allowed to leave;
• the route you need for your journey home.

The parking space closest to the stadium is not always the quickest option overall. A space a little farther away may involve a longer walk but allow you to leave the area more easily after the match.

Post-match road closure

The A444 Jimmy Hill Way is temporarily closed after Coventry City home football matches to allow pedestrians to leave the stadium safely.

During the closure, vehicles leaving Car Park C and Arena Shopping Park can exit southbound towards Coventry city centre. Drivers heading towards the M6 must then follow the temporary diversion. Car Parks A and D are released after the closure is lifted.

Follow the temporary signs and directions from matchday staff rather than relying entirely on your sat-nav.

Can you park at Arena Shopping Park?

Arena Shopping Park is beside the Coventry Building Society Arena, but ordinary customer parking should not be treated as unrestricted football parking.

Matchday conditions may be different from the shopping park’s usual rules. Read the signs carefully and use an authorised football parking booking when one is available.

Do not assume that making a small purchase allows you to leave your car there throughout the match. Check:

• the maximum permitted stay;
• any matchday-specific restrictions;
• whether registration or pre-booking is required;
• the rules displayed at the entrance on the day.

A parking charge can make an apparently free space much more expensive than booking an authorised option in advance.

Where do away fans sit?

Visiting football supporters are normally accommodated in the South Stand at the Coventry Building Society Arena.

The exact blocks, entrance and ticket allocation can change depending on the fixture. Always follow the information printed on your ticket and the instructions issued by your own football club.

When approaching the stadium:

• look for signs for away supporters;
• follow steward instructions;
• do not enter through a home-supporter turnstile;
• allow extra time if ticket collection is required;
• confirm the correct entrance before joining a queue.

After the match, visiting supporters may be directed along a controlled pedestrian route. This can add time to the walk back to Coventry Arena station, a taxi point or your parking space.

When should you arrive?

For a first visit, aim to reach the stadium area 60 to 90 minutes before kick-off.

Arriving early gives you time to:

• locate the correct stand;
• find the away entrance;
• deal with a ticket issue;
• pass through security;
• use the facilities;
• buy food or drink;
• avoid the busiest queues.

Coventry City’s fixture guides often show turnstiles opening around 90 minutes before kick-off, but the exact timetable varies between matches.

For a major Premier League football fixture, cup match or sold-out game, allow additional time.

Tickets and stadium entry

Away tickets should normally be purchased through the visiting football club.

Before reaching the turnstile:

• open the ticket on your phone;
• increase the screen brightness;
• make sure the barcode is clearly visible;
• save the ticket to your mobile wallet when possible;
• keep each supporter’s ticket on the correct device;
• bring identification if required for collection or concessions.

Avoid relying on mobile reception outside the stadium. A large football crowd can place additional demand on local networks.

Never purchase a ticket in a home section with the intention of openly supporting the visiting team. Football segregation and ticketing rules are in place for the safety of all supporters.

Bag policy and prohibited items

Bags larger than A4 size are not allowed inside the Coventry Building Society Arena.

The stadium’s published prohibited-item list includes:

• glass;
• weapons;
• airhorns;
• fireworks and flares;
• bottles and cans;
• long umbrellas;
• outside food and drink;
• flagpoles;
• smoking and e-cigarettes;
• selfie sticks;
• large or offensive flags and banners;
• baby buggies and prams;
• large bags and suitcases;
• computer tablets.

The restrictions apply to both home and away football supporters. Entry searches may also take place, so travelling light can reduce delays.

Contact Coventry City Football Club or the arena before travelling when you have medical, dietary or accessibility requirements.

Food and drink

Food and drink are available inside the CBS Arena and at venues around the stadium.

The arena has on-site bars and restaurants, including The Anecdote sports bar and The Mill Bar & Brasserie.

Your main options are:

Eat in Coventry city centre

Best when you arrive early by train and want the widest choice of restaurants, cafés and pubs.

Eat around Arena Shopping Park

Best for convenience and proximity to the football ground. Restaurants can become busy before kick-off, so allow enough time.

Eat inside the stadium

Best when you want to enter early and avoid rushing to the turnstiles. The available food and drink may differ between stands and fixtures.

The best choice depends on your arrival station, kick-off time and whether you are travelling with children.

Where should away fans drink?

There is no single pub that is automatically suitable for every group of visiting supporters.

Your best option depends on:

• whether you arrive at Coventry or Coventry Arena station;
• whether you are wearing club colours;
• the admission policy for the fixture;
• the size of your group;
• how you intend to reach the stadium;
• whether the match is considered high risk.

Coventry city centre offers a broader selection and is better suited to visitors who want a longer pre-match experience.

Venues close to the stadium are more convenient but may be busier and may operate different football matchday policies.

Always check a venue’s latest information before travelling. A pub described as away-friendly in an old guide may have changed its admission rules.

Where should you stay?

The arena has an on-site DoubleTree by Hilton hotel with 121 bedrooms. Coventry city centre also provides a broader range of hotels.

Stay near the stadium when:

• the football match is the main purpose of your visit;
• you want the shortest possible stadium journey;
• you are attending an evening game;
• you do not need to spend the night in the city centre.

Stay in Coventry city centre when:

• you want more restaurants and pubs;
• you are arriving at Coventry’s main station;
• you want to explore the city;
• you want a wider choice of accommodation.

Stay in Birmingham when:

• Coventry hotels are expensive or fully booked;
• your wider journey already passes through Birmingham;
• you want more nightlife and hotel options;
• suitable trains operate after the match.

The hotel closest to the stadium is not automatically the best option. Consider the whole visit, including what you want to do before the match and how you will travel home.

Accessibility

Supporters who require accessible seating, parking or assistance should make arrangements through their own football club and Coventry City before travelling.

Do not wait until matchday to request:

• wheelchair spaces;
• companion tickets;
• accessible parking;
• audio description;
• specific entry assistance;
• support for a medical requirement.

Coventry City offers an audio-description service for blind and visually impaired supporters at home matches. Advance contact is required so that the receiver can be arranged and delivered to the supporter’s seat.

Matchday Supporter Liaison Officers can also be identified around the arena by their blue bibs.

Leaving after the football match

Plan your exit before entering the stadium.

After the final whistle:

• visiting supporters may be directed along a different pedestrian route;
• the A444 may be temporarily closed;
• some car parks may have controlled release arrangements;
• Coventry Arena station may become crowded;
• taxis may be delayed by traffic restrictions;
• the journey back to Coventry’s main station may take longer than it did before kick-off.

Drivers leaving Car Park C and Arena Shopping Park during the temporary road closure are directed southbound towards the city centre. Drivers who need the M6 must follow the diversion route.

Avoid booking a return train that leaves shortly after the expected final whistle. The match may finish late and it can take time to leave the away section, walk through the crowd and reach your onward transport.

A simple first-visit itinerary

Saturday 3pm kick-off by train

TimeSuggested plan10:30–11:30Arrive in Coventry city centre11:30–13:00Lunch or pre-match drink13:00–13:30Travel towards the stadium13:30Reach the CBS Arena area13:45–14:00Enter the stadium15:00Football match beginsAround 17:00Full-timeFrom 17:30Begin the return journey

This is a planning example, not an official fixture timetable. Always check the confirmed kick-off time and match-specific information.

Saturday 3pm kick-off by car

TimeSuggested planBefore travellingReserve an authorised parking space13:00–13:30Arrive in the stadium area13:30–14:00Walk to the correct entrance14:00Enter the stadium15:00Football match beginsAround 17:00Full-timeAfter the matchAllow for road closures and parking controls

Coventry City matchday: quick answers

What is Coventry City’s football stadium called?

Coventry City Football Club play at the Coventry Building Society Arena, commonly called the CBS Arena.

What is the CBS Arena postcode?

The stadium postcode is CV6 6AQ.

Which railway station is closest to the stadium?

Coventry Arena is the closest station and is located beside the football ground.

Is Coventry’s main station close to the stadium?

No. Coventry’s main railway station is in the city centre. You will need a local train, bus or taxi to reach the CBS Arena.

Do I need to book parking?

Pre-booking is strongly recommended. Availability and traffic arrangements can vary between football fixtures.

Where do away supporters sit?

Away supporters are normally located in the South Stand. Check your ticket for the correct block and entrance.

Can I take a large bag into the stadium?

No. Bags larger than A4 size are not permitted.

How early should I arrive?

First-time visitors should aim to reach the stadium area 60 to 90 minutes before kick-off.

Can I walk from Coventry Station to the CBS Arena?

It is not the most practical option for most visitors. Use a local train, bus or taxi instead.

Is Coventry City in the Premier League?

Yes. Coventry City returned to the Premier League for the 2026/27 season after winning the 2025/26 Championship and ending a 25-year absence from the top flight.

Final matchday checklist

Before leaving home, check that you have:

• downloaded your football ticket;
• confirmed the date and kick-off time;
• selected the correct railway station;
• checked your complete return journey;
• reserved parking if required;
• saved booking confirmations;
• packed a bag no larger than A4;
• brought a contactless payment method;
• identified the away entrance;
• read your club’s fixture-specific guide;
• allowed enough time after the final whistle.

A Coventry City football matchday is straightforward once you understand the geography.

The city centre and the CBS Arena are separate parts of the journey. Decide whether you want a city-centre experience, a direct stadium journey or the simplest possible drive, then organise your return before planning the rest of the day.

Information reviewed in August 2026. Transport services, football ticketing arrangements, parking conditions and stadium rules can change. Check the latest information from Coventry City Football Club, Coventry Building Society Arena, your own club and your transport operator before travelling.