Ricoh sold to Wasps

Coventry City Council have unanimously approved the sale of the operating company of the Ricoh Arena, Arena Coventry Limited, to Wasps rugby club.   The council will retain the freehold, but the rugby club will have a 250 year lease.

Coventry City Council have unanimously approved the sale of the operating company of the Ricoh Arena, Arena Coventry Limited, to Wasps rugby club.   The council will retain the freehold, but the rugby club will have a 250 year lease.

This was in spite of an appeal by the chairman of Coventry City Football Club to delay the decision. The Sky Blues have a two year rental agreement on the arena, what happens after that remains to be seen, but it would be in the interests of the rugby club to keep them as tenants.  There are sometimes concerns that playing rugby on a pitch can undermine its readiness for football.