Coventry Arena
5 min walkStep-free access recorded
RLY station recorded in the existing stadium transport mapping. This identifies an arrival option; check your service and the onward route.
Research checked 2026-10-14
Sky Blues · #CCFC · Let's All Sing Together (Play Up Sky Blues)
THE MATCHDAY GUIDE · Coventry
Getting to Coventry Building Society Arena
Use Coventry railway station for most longer-distance journeys, then take the extended number 20 bus towards Foleshill Road near the arena. This direct station connection was introduced in August 2026.
Plan a stay at Coventry City ↗BEFORE YOU SET OFF
Put your trip together
01 · Arrive
Your route into Coventry Building Society Arena
Follow signs for the South Stand visiting section, usually Blocks 6–9, rather than walking to the main north entrance. Your away ticket identifies the correct block and entry point. Coventry City's away guide says the South Stand turnstiles normally open 90 minutes before kick-off. From Coventry Arena station or the Arena Shopping Park bus stops, follow the signed pedestrian route into the stadium site and continue towards the South Stand. The shopping-park underpass brings you towards Car Park B; allow a further walk around the ground to reach the visiting turnstiles. After the match, segregation can change the way you leave. The host club instructs away supporters to go across Car Park B and turn left at the exit gate for the shopping park and railway station, rather than turning left immediately outside the away end.
Away Fans Guide 2025/26 — Coventry City ↗02 · Reach the away end
After the match
Allow extra time to get away from the Coventry Building Society Arena after full-time. Visiting supporters are usually directed across Car Park B towards Arena Shopping Park and Coventry Arena station. You may not be able to take the direct left turn from the away-end exit because stewards separate the crowds. If you parked in Car Park C or a booked Arena Shopping Park space, check the current traffic plan before leaving. The operator says cars can use a southbound exit towards Coventry city centre during the A444 closure, but northbound traffic must follow a diversion. Other on-site car parks may be held while coaches and pedestrians clear. For rail travel, check the actual Coventry Arena departure rather than counting on a frequent shuttle train. The number 20 now links the arena area with Coventry railway station, and the club's previous shuttle served Arena Shopping Park. Build a generous margin into any last-train connection.
Away Fans Guide 2025/26 — Coventry City ↗03 · Stay or head home?
Choose your base before your hotel
Stay in central Coventry if you want pubs, restaurants and an easier start to a longer-distance rail journey. The area around the city centre, Corporation Street and the railway station is a more useful all-round base than the retail park beside the ground.
Hotel to compare: Hotel Indigo Coventry by IHG · Friargate / Coventry railway station, city centre
Compare the stay areas →Rail, Underground & tram
Use Coventry railway station for most longer-distance journeys, then take the extended number 20 bus towards Foleshill Road near the arena. This direct station connection was introduced in August 2026. Check your return bus and connecting train before leaving home, particularly for evening games.
Coventry Arena railway station is much closer to the ground, roughly five minutes from the stadium perimeter. Trains normally run only hourly in each direction, with no separate football timetable. It is convenient if the departure times suit your journey, but less flexible after full-time.
Travelling from Nuneaton or the Coventry–Nuneaton line can make Coventry Arena useful too. If you need an accessible railway journey, Coventry main station is step-free category A; Coventry Arena is category B1, with potentially long or steep ramps.
- Recommended rail arrival
- Coventry railway station (COV), with onward number 20 bus to Foleshill Road near the arena.
- Nearest station
- Coventry Arena (CAA), approximately five minutes on foot to arena perimeter; hourly trains stated by arena.
- Coventry Arena matchday trains
- The club says there is no additional special matchday timetable; check normal scheduled trains.
- Coventry station step-free
- Category A; lifts available.
- Coventry Arena step-free
- Category B1; possible longer/steeper ramps, no lifts.
- Nuneaton rail alternative
- Nuneaton connects with the local Coventry Arena railway corridor when trains run.
Station to ground & away entrance
Follow signs for the South Stand visiting section, usually Blocks 6–9, rather than walking to the main north entrance. Your away ticket identifies the correct block and entry point. Coventry City's away guide says the South Stand turnstiles normally open 90 minutes before kick-off.
From Coventry Arena station or the Arena Shopping Park bus stops, follow the signed pedestrian route into the stadium site and continue towards the South Stand. The shopping-park underpass brings you towards Car Park B; allow a further walk around the ground to reach the visiting turnstiles.
After the match, segregation can change the way you leave. The host club instructs away supporters to go across Car Park B and turn left at the exit gate for the shopping park and railway station, rather than turning left immediately outside the away end.
- Away stand
- South Stand; normally Blocks 6–9, depending on fixture allocation.
- Away safe standing
- Blocks 6 and 7, rows AA–XX, in the host club supporter charter.
- Turnstile opening
- Normally 90 minutes before kick-off; can vary by fixture.
- From shopping park
- Pedestrian underpass leads towards Car Park B; follow South Stand signage.
- Post-match segregation
- Visiting fans may have to cross Car Park B to reach Arena Shopping Park and the station.
Buses & local travel
The number 20 bus is a useful everyday connection between Coventry railway station and the Foleshill Road stops near the arena. Extended to the station in August 2026, the service is advertised seven days a week with evening operation. From Foleshill Road, follow signs towards Arena Shopping Park and the stadium.
National Express service 3 also serves the subway by Arena Shopping Park from the city centre. Services 20 and Stagecoach 148 use Foleshill Road, making them useful alternatives if the departure times suit. Check the operator for your matchday, especially on Sunday or for late finishes.
Coventry City's 2025/26 matchday shuttle ran from the rail-replacement bus stop near Central Six, via White Street Coach Park, to Arena Shopping Park for £5 return. Confirm that the shuttle and its boarding arrangements are operating for your particular 2026/27 fixture before relying on it.
- Direct station bus
- NX number 20 extended to Coventry railway station from 29 August 2026; arena-area stop on Foleshill Road.
- Evening service
- New number 20 extension announced as operating seven days a week until 11pm; verify actual departure times.
- Bus service 3
- Stops by subway to Arena Shopping Park; TfWM reports weekday and Sunday frequency differences.
- Other local buses
- NX 20 and Stagecoach 148 on Foleshill Road.
- 2025/26 matchday shuttle
- £5 return in 2025/26, rail replacement bus stop near Central Six via White Street Coach Park to Arena Shopping Park; current season service needs confirmation.
Away coaches
If you are travelling on an organised away coach, follow your visiting club's joining instructions and remain with the group at arrival. Coventry City's away guide identifies Car Park B as the area used for away coaches, with a short walk from there to the South Stand.
Independent coach organisers should arrange their visit in advance rather than assuming they can drive into the stadium car parks. The host club's 2025/26 away guide asks organisers to liaise with their local police for parking arrangements, while the arena's parking operator manages event bookings.
After full-time, stewarded segregation directs visiting supporters across Car Park B. Confirm the precise collection bay with your operator, as police arrangements and the departure sequence can change for individual fixtures.
- Away coach area
- Car Park B is identified as the visiting coach area in the host club 2025/26 away guide.
- Coach arrangements
- Host club guide asks independently arranging away coach parking to contact local police for coordination.
- Collection point
- Exact coach bay is fixture-dependent and should be confirmed by the visiting coach operator.
- Coach pedestrian route
- Away supporters are directed via Car Park B after full-time.
Accessible journeys
Arrange accessible parking before you travel by emailing cbsarena@apcoa.com, giving the fixture and your needs. Blue Badge parking is limited and allocated through the arena operator. Do not assume that displaying a badge lets you use resident-permit streets or an unbooked arena space.
Coventry City's 2025/26 visiting guide identifies Gate 25 for away wheelchair and ambulant supporters needing help. The away wheelchair viewing platform is at the front of Block 8 in the South Stand. Contact accessibility@ccfc.co.uk to confirm your ticketed position, entry route and any commentary support for your match.
Coventry main railway station offers category A step-free access with lifts. Coventry Arena station has category B1 access and may involve lengthy or steep ramps, so request rail assistance if that is a concern.
- Accessible parking contact
- cbsarena@apcoa.com; advance request essential due to limited event-day spaces.
- Blue Badge requirements
- Blue Badge checked; badge holder must travel with vehicle.
- Away wheelchair entrance
- Gate 25 in host club 2025/26 guide; fixture-specific confirmation advised.
- Away wheelchair location
- South Stand Block 8 front platform in 2025/26 guide.
- Accessibility enquiries
- accessibility@ccfc.co.uk.
- Coventry main station step-free
- Category A, lifts available.
- Coventry Arena station step-free
- Category B1 with possible long or steep ramps.
After the match
Allow extra time to get away from the Coventry Building Society Arena after full-time. Visiting supporters are usually directed across Car Park B towards Arena Shopping Park and Coventry Arena station. You may not be able to take the direct left turn from the away-end exit because stewards separate the crowds.
If you parked in Car Park C or a booked Arena Shopping Park space, check the current traffic plan before leaving. The operator says cars can use a southbound exit towards Coventry city centre during the A444 closure, but northbound traffic must follow a diversion. Other on-site car parks may be held while coaches and pedestrians clear.
For rail travel, check the actual Coventry Arena departure rather than counting on a frequent shuttle train. The number 20 now links the arena area with Coventry railway station, and the club's previous shuttle served Arena Shopping Park. Build a generous margin into any last-train connection.
- Away-fan departure route
- Away supporters directed across Car Park B, then towards Arena Shopping Park and the local train station.
- Road closure
- A444 Jimmy Hill Way closes briefly after every Coventry City first-team home fixture.
- Car Park C departure
- Event-specific operator instructions allow southbound exit only during the closure.
- A/B/D car park hold
- Arena general guidance warns of post-event car park lockdown; precise football car-park release differs by fixture.
- Coventry Arena rail frequency
- Arena says hourly each direction on matchdays; no additional special service in host club away guide.
- Bus alternative
- NX 20 extended between Coventry station and arena area from late August 2026.
Coventry
Step-free access recorded
RLY station recorded in the existing stadium transport mapping. This identifies an arrival option; check your service and the onward route.
Research checked 2026-10-14Nuneaton
Step-free access recorded
RLY station recorded in the existing stadium transport mapping. This identifies an arrival option; check your service and the onward route.
Research checked 2026-10-14Coventry Arena Rail Station
RLY station recorded in the existing stadium transport mapping. This identifies an arrival option; check your service and the onward route.
Research checked 2026-07-29Bedworth Rail Station
RLY station recorded in the existing stadium transport mapping. This identifies an arrival option; check your service and the onward route.
Research checked 2026-07-29Coventry Rail Station
RLY station recorded in the existing stadium transport mapping. This identifies an arrival option; check your service and the onward route.
Research checked 2026-07-29Would an overnight stay help?
Check your return services, then compare a station, stadium or town-centre stay.
Where to stay
Stay in central Coventry if you want pubs, restaurants and an easier start to a longer-distance rail journey. The area around the city centre, Corporation Street and the railway station is a more useful all-round base than the retail park beside the ground. Travel to the arena separately by the number 20 bus or a planned rail connection. For the shortest trip from bed to the turnstiles, choose the on-site DoubleTree by Hilton at Coventry Building Society Arena. You lose some city-centre choice, but you avoid a post-match journey back to your hotel. Check match-night room rates before deciding, as event pricing can vary. If travelling home late by train, staying near Coventry railway station is particularly practical. It keeps your hotel close to the main rail hub, while the arena remains easy to reach by a planned bus or hourly local train.
Plan your visit ↗For most overnight supporters, base yourself in central Coventry and travel out to the arena. Hotel Indigo is especially useful because it sits beside Coventry railway station, while the Telegraph puts you directly in the city-centre drinking and dining area. Choose the on-site DoubleTree when getting back to the room within minutes of full-time matters more than nightlife or price resilience.
For the evening
The strongest evening choice is central Coventry around Corporation Street, the Belgrade/Broadgate side of the centre and the nearby Skydome. The Telegraph is in the middle of this area and has its own Generators rooftop bar; Hotel Indigo is quieter by the station but still walkable into the centre.
For the train
Coventry main station is the most useful rail base. Hotel Indigo is about two minutes away and IHG advertises a seven-minute train ride to Coventry Arena. Coventry Arena station is around a five-minute walk from the ground, but the arena says matchday trains are only hourly in each direction, so this is a timetable-led connection rather than a turn-up-and-go metro service.
Hotels to compare
Hotel Indigo Coventry by IHGFriargate / Coventry railway station, city centreAll-round choiceCoventry railway station is around two minutes away, with IHG advertising a seven-minute train ride to Coventry Arena.
Bear in mind: It is not beside the ground; the main advantage is the rail connection, and Coventry Arena's matchday train frequency is only hourly.
Hotel details checked 2026-09-28Check availability ↗Booking.com · Choose your dates and check the final price.More about this choice
Current Booking.com evidence was very strong at 9.1/10 from more than 1,100 reviews during this research pass.
Recent 2026 Tripadvisor reviews repeatedly praise cleanliness, quiet rooms, comfortable beds, helpful staff and station convenience.
It gives travelling supporters a city-centre evening without committing to the arena's more event-led surroundings.
Sampled Premier League home-match Saturdays were broadly in line with its ordinary weekend baseline rather than showing the extreme arena-hotel spike seen at the DoubleTree.
There is no on-site hotel car park; IHG directs guests to Coventry Station multi-storey nearby.
It is at the station end of the centre rather than directly in the Broadgate/Corporation Street nightlife cluster.
Midweek rates in the sample were consistently upper-mid-market for Coventry.
DoubleTree by Hilton Coventry Building Society ArenaCoventry Building Society Arena / LongfordFor the shortest ground journeyIt is on site at Coventry Building Society Arena; the venue itself promotes it as the hotel 'right in the heart of the action'.
Bear in mind: Match and event pricing can be dramatically higher than quiet-night pricing.
Hotel details checked 2026-09-28Check availability ↗Booking.com · Choose your dates and check the final price.More about this choice
There is no meaningful post-match transport problem if you are happy to stay in the arena area.
Coventry Arena station is around a five-minute walk away for onward travel.
Quiet non-event weekends in the sample were good value for a branded full-service hotel.
The arena/retail setting offers fewer independent pubs, restaurants and late-evening choices than central Coventry.
Recent review evidence is much more mixed than at Hotel Indigo or the Telegraph, with recurring complaints around parking, event noise, food/value and some dated or maintenance-related room issues.
Coventry Arena station is close but the arena states matchday trains are only hourly.
Telegraph Hotel - CoventryCorporation Street / Coventry city centreFor the eveningIt sits directly in Coventry city centre rather than at the edge of it.
Bear in mind: It is around three miles from the stadium and is not a practical walk for most supporters.
Hotel details checked 2026-09-28Check availability ↗Booking.com · Choose your dates and check the final price.More about this choice
The hotel has its own Generators rooftop bar, refreshed for 2026, and the surrounding streets contain a strong concentration of pubs, bars and restaurants.
Current reputation evidence is strong: Booking.com showed 8.9/10 from more than 4,000 reviews and Tripadvisor showed 4.5/5 with a 2026 Travellers' Choice award.
Recent reviews repeatedly praise room size, cleanliness, beds, staff and the central location.
Sampled Coventry home-match nights did not show the sharp matchday pricing seen at the on-site DoubleTree.
Coventry main station is about a 16-minute walk according to the hotel, so rail to Coventry Arena is less seamless than from Hotel Indigo.
There is no on-site parking.
Food-and-beverage service receives occasional inconsistent comments despite the overall strong hotel reputation.
Check current rates and availability for your dates.
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Sources, limitations and matchday changes
Reviewed transport publication. This permanent guide uses the existing approved research; admission, opening hours, services and parking controls may change for each match.
Station mappings identify arrival options. They do not guarantee a walking route, step-free access or a train timetable. Confirm current club guidance and your actual service.
Official club guidance ↗