Relief as club agree deal to stay at Arena this season
COVENTRY City have agreed a short-term deal to stay at the CBS Arena, bringing an end to the recent uncertainty surrounding remaining home fixtures at the CBS Arena this season.
The Sky Blues are next playing at home on Saturday against Swansea, swiftly followed by West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday, December 21 and a further two more at the stadium over a busy festive period against Cardiff and Bristol City.
New stadium owners – Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group – served the football club with an eviction notice on December 2 after City had declined to sign fresh terms following the Sports Direct founder buying the CBS Arena in a deal worth £17million.
The club’s previous 10-year agreement with former owners Wasps became null and void when the rugby club and stadium went into administration.
However, Ashley’s people insisted that they offered the Sky Blues revised terms and welcomed the club back to the table to negotiate.
That process is now complete and City have signed a deal to take the club to the end of the current 2022/23 campaign, during which the two parties intend to thrash out a long-term contract to safeguard the club’s future at the stadium built for Coventry City FC.
A statement released by the football club last night said: “Coventry City Football Club is pleased to confirm that it has signed a new licence agreement with Frasers Group in order for the club to continue to play home games at the Coventry Building Society Arena.
“This represents a positive step forward for the club and its fans and we now look forward to establishing a constructive working relationship with Frasers Group.
“The licence that we have today signed will run until May 2023 and is subject to EFL approval, which we expect to be granted on Tuesday.
“Coventry City will now commence amicable talks with Frasers Group with a view to agreeing a longer-term licence for the club to play at the Arena.”