Coventry Building Society Arena opened its doors for the first time in August 2005 and over the last 20 years has been home to iconic moments, unforgettable experiences and incredible events.
As part of our 20th anniversary celebration celebrations, we take a journey back through the years and shine a spotlight on some of the most memorable moments from the Arena’s history.
Since 2005, the best times have happened right here at Coventry Building Society Arena.
1999
Planning permission given green light by Coventry City Council. The design changed and a revised application was accepted in 2002
2003
Key meeting held by Coventry City Council on 16th October 2003 to seek full council approval for funding to proceed with stadium development
2005
£113 million Ricoh Arena completed and opens its doors for the first time
Coventry City play their first ever game at the new stadium, winning 3-0 against Queens Park Rangers.
The National Painting and Decorating Show is held for the first time – and is still at the venue 20 years later!
Bryan Adams plays the Arena’s first ever concert in September – drawing 7,000 fans to the Indoor Arena.
2006
More than 40,000 fans watch Red Hot Chilli Peppers in a sell-out concert in the stadium bowl
Pixel Trade Show & Solus Garden Leisure first exhibitions to be hosted
2007
Rod Stewart performs in the stadium bowl
The stadium hosts its first ever international football fixture, with England U21s facing Germany
2008
We hosted PDC Premier League Darts for the first time, with Phil Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld gracing the oche.
Scouting for Girls brought their tour to the Indoor Arena, Bon Jovi returns to the arena after performing in 2006 for two sell-out stadium bowl shows!
2009
Take That perform over three back-to-back nights. Oasis played in concert to over 40,000 fans in stadium bowl and 120,000 fans see .
Coventry City faced Chelsea in the FA Cup Quarter Finals – setting a record attendance of 31,407 for a Sky Blues fixture (a record only broken in 2025!)
2010
P!nk brings Funhouse Tour to stadium bowl
2011
Statue of Jimmy Hill unveiled in front of the venue
2012
Briefly renamed City of Coventry Stadium, due to Olympic rules on sponsorship, and hosts 12 football matches in 2012 Olympics
Coldplay light up the stadium bowl with the Mylo Xyloto Tour
2013
Bruce Springsteen performs to a packed audience in the Stadium Bowl.
Great Britain defeat Russia 3-0 as the Arena hosts Davis Cup tennis for the first time.
2014
Wasps complete deal to purchase the stadium, facing London Irish in 2014 and setting a new record attendance for a Premiership rugby match at a home ground of 32,019 against Leicester Tigers.
2015
The indoor arena hosts the Champion of Champions snooker tournament for a third time – it would remain at the venue until 2019.
2016
A huge summer of music, with the stadium also welcoming Rihanna and Jess Glynn as part of MTV Crashes.
Her Royal Highness Princess Anne visits the Arena to speak at Microlise Transport Conference.
2017
Wasps Netball formed and played their first game at the venue, winning the league title in their first season.
Mark Robins returns to Coventry City as Manager, marking the start of a golden era that marked the club’s rise back to the Championship – including victory in the League Two Play Off Final and a League One Championship.
2018
The Rolling Stones rock the stadium bowl – returning to Coventry for the first time in 47 years.
2019
A huge year for the stadium bowl, with Bon Jovi returning and The Spice Girls performing a sell-out show. Huge motorsport event Monster Jam was also held.
2020
“The Ricoh Bubble” enables the venue to host behind closed doors events during the Covid-19 pandemic – hosting Premier League Darts, Weber Cup ten-pin bowling, the Grand Slam of Darts, the World Ping Pong Masters and nine-ball pool tournament, the Mosconi Cup.
2021
Coventry Building Society announced as the stadium’s new naming right partner
The MOBO Awards is held at the venue as the city celebrates being UK City of Culture.
2022
Coventry Building Society Arena is acquired by Frasers Group
The Commonwealth Games 2022 brings 144,000 fans to watch Rugby Sevens, Wrestling and Judo
The Killers and Rammstein perform in the stadium bowl
2023
International sport returns to the venue with an England’s Lionesses setting a record attendance for a spot fixture at the venue of 32,128 in the Arnold Clark Cup and the indoor arena hosting Billie Jean King Cup tennis.
Arctic Monkeys and Harry Styles sell out the stadium bowl – with Harry playing for two successive nights!
Doug King becomes the new owner of Coventry City, with the club making it all the way to the Championship play-off final that season.
2024
England’s Lionesses return to the venue for a second time and beat South Africa 2-1.
Goliath – the world’s largest poker tournament outside of the USA – marks its 10th anniversary in the Grosvenor Casino.
Frank Lampard is appointed Coventry City manager, eventually leading the club to the play-offs.
2025
Coventry City sets a new record home attendance at the venue with 31,452 fans against Middlesborough
Coventry Building Society Arena enters major sustainability partnership with E.ON
The statues of two Coventry City icons – FA Cup winning duo John Sillett and George Curtis – are unveiled outside Coventry Building Society Arena
