BREAKING: Coventry City announce campus stadium plans

Coventry City FC and the University of Warwick have announced plans to construct a new stadium on “the agricultural field area” on the University’s “main campus”. An exact site for the new stadium has not yet been agreed by the Club and University.

The Sky Blues “will own and be entirely responsible for the cost of the stadium,” according to a joint statement issued by both parties.

Since departing the Ricoh Arena following the 2018/19 season, Coventry have been tenants of St. Andrews’ Stadium in Birmingham.

According to a joint statement: “Both the University and the Club are committed to a visionary, environmentally-friendly stadium in terms of materials, energy, noise, building and of course access.”

Supporters could arrive at the stadium using the proposed CVLR

In addition to the construction of an “environmentally friendly stadium,” the Club has suggested that supporters could arrive at the new arena using the proposed Coventry Very Light Rail system.

The CVLR has been developed by researchers from WMG, who claimed in 2017 that the system “will be cheaper, quieter and more environmentally friendly than anything currently available.”

Coventry’s stadium plans “will require significant discussion and partnership work with all surrounding local authorities,” including the West Midlands Combined Local Authority.

This football club needs to be in the middle of its community and we’re not

– Tim Fisher

The development would allow the Sky Blues to own their own stadium, meaning that the Club would be able to retain matchday revenues. Coventry Live have reported that the plans will see the construction of a 20,000-seat capacity stadium.

Speaking about plans to build a new stadium last year, Coventry chairman Tim Fisher said: “We are a community asset and this football club needs to be in the middle of its community and we’re not.

“I can tell you we are trying our best. We want to play in Coventry. We do not want to play in Birmingham and, as I say, we remain hopeful.”

The University of Warwick and Coventry City “do not expect to issue any further joint statements on this initiative.”