Wasps - Ricoh Arena

 

Wasps (originally Wasps FC) were founded in North London in 1867, with the choice of name following the traditions of the time to involve an animal or insect species. The club's spiritual home is in Sudbury, Middlesex where they spent many years before upping sticks and relocating to Coventry in late 2014, where they play at the Ricoh Arena.

Although throughout the years Wasps have been regarded as one of major forces in England, the club have really thrived in the professional era with 2 Heineken Cup titles (2004 & 2007) and 6 English Premiership titles (1990, 1997, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2008) in recent years. 


Ground Information                                     Back to Top ^ 

The Ricoh Arena is a multi-purpose stadium situated just outside of Coventry City Centre, and can accommodate 32,600 spectators. It was opened in 2005 as a replacement for Coventry City FC's ageing stadium, although the relationship between the football side and the stadium's original owners was subject to continued disputes. Wasps now own the stadium outright.

The stadium is a bowl shape and is completely seated and covered, with all the modern facilities you'd expect from a new stadium. As well as the stadium itself, there is also an exhibition hall, hotel, casino and large shopping centre on the site.

Big crowds have followed Wasps to the Ricoh

Getting There                                                                                   Back to Top ^

By Car

The stadium has over 1,000 parking spaces available on match days and is less than 1 mile from the M6 motorway.


By Train

A new station (Coventry Arena) was opened in 2016 nearby to the stadium, but the services are only hourly and with fairly short carriage lengths meaning they aren't particularly fit for purpose with matchday crowds. 

Despite that madness, there are shuttle buses between the stadium and Coventry main station, where there are fast connections to Birmingham, London and Milton Keynes amongst others.

By Air

Birmingham Airport

The closest airport to Coventry is Birmingham International, with a regular and short train service linking the two.


London Luton Airport

Luton Airport is about 90 minutes from Coventry, with direct connections possible via the National Express coach service, or alternatively you can take a bus from the airport to Milton Keynes and catch rail services to the Midlands.


Fancy a Flutter? The outside of the Ricoh Arena.

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In The Ground

There are bars dotted around the bowl of the arena.

Before/After the Game

As an out-of-town stadium, there are limited pubs in the immediate vicinity of the Ricoh. Therefore, the best way to enjoy pre and post-match drinks and to mingle with fellow fans is in the excellent fan village, situated within the stadium complex.

Wasps fan Mark tells us on good authority that it is an excellent facility with ample food and drink outlets, usually a band playing and a chance to meet some players. It's all indoor and there are things for kids to do too, so should be a winner for everyone regardless of the weather.

Fellow Wasps fan John has provided a few further options if you are willing to take a little stroll.

  • Dhillon's Brewery is an award-winning craft and real ale brewery a 5-10 minute walk North from the stadium. With a bar on site that opens specifically 2 hours before and after each Wasps match. Legends!

  • Byatt's Brewery is a similar set-up and distance from the stadium, but this time to the South of the Ricoh. Before and after pints anyone?

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As above, the fan village is your best bet close to stadium. There is a shopping village-affair adjacent to the stadium though this is limited to chain restaurants.

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There is a hotel onsite with 121 bedrooms, though you may prefer to locate yourself in Coventry itself if you want to do anything other than watch the game.


Make a Trip of It                                                   Back to Top ^

Whilst Coventry isn't renowned as a major tourist destination and has suffered the wrath of post-World War 2 rebuilding primarily in concrete, there is enough to satisfy most people on a day trip one-night stopover, including a magnificent cathedral. Look a little further afield however and you can find plenty of interesting things to see and do, including;

  • England's second city of Birmingham is a short train ride away, and boasts more canals than Venice don't you know!

  • Another short train ride will take you to the town of Rugby, home to the school which produced our fine game and the Gilbert Rugby Football Museum. Here you can learn about the development of the oval ball game, including how the balls themselves have been manufactured.

Key Information

Disabled Supporters

  • Can you provide information on facilities for disabled supporters at the Ricoh? Let us know here.

Relocation, Relocation

  • For many years Wasps were known as London Wasps and played at various venues around the capital and the surrounding region, including a spell in High Wycombe from 2002.

  • The club announced in 2014 that they were to move to the Midlands and be based out of Coventry's Ricoh Arena.

  • As well as causing consternation with many of their own fans, the move was controversial as the area has plenty of top flight rugby clubs, including rivals Leicester Tigers and Worcester Warriors.

Add Your Information

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