The Sky Blues will come head-to-head with Queens Park Rangers for their first Championship game at the 32,000-seater stadium in Coventry.  The Ricoh Arena is a new £113 million multi-purpose development which expands over 72 acres and is less than two hours’ drive time for 75% of the mainland UK population. 

The Ricoh features a 6,000sq metre exhibition and events hall capable of holding 8,000 people and a 1,000-seater banqueting suite, as well as 67 hotel rooms and a health and fitness suite.  

Takahisa Yokoo, MD of Ricoh UK comments: “This is an exciting time for us as we unveil the Ricoh Arena to the public for the very first time.  The Ricoh is a unique Arena with world class facilities and is set to become an outstanding international entertainment and sports centre.”

The IT giant signed the £10 million sponsorship deal with the Arena on 26 April 2005, securing the international naming rights for a 10 year period.  The Arena will be one of the UK’s most high profile venues, attracting an array of sports and entertainment events, the first of which being Canadian rock star, Bryan Adams on 23 September.   

Added Sky Blues boss Micky Adams: “Moving to a brand new stadium is always very exciting, especially when it is as magnificent as the Ricoh Arena. 

“It’s fantastic for the Club and the City of Coventry and we aim to make it feel like our true home as soon as we possibly can.”

Paul Fletcher, Chief Executive of Arena Coventry Ltd, comments on the opening match: “Today is a truly historic day for both the Arena and CCFC.  The clash against QPR gives us the first opportunity to show off the fantastic new home, the landmark Ricoh Arena, to Sky Blue fans.”  

“The Arena heralds a new age of business in Coventry and is contributing enormously to the regeneration of the area.  We are setting a benchmark for future developments of its kind across the country.”

-ENDS-
Notes to Editors:
Ricoh was founded in 1936.  The Company is a leading global provider of IT solutions, is the 8th largest IT Company in the world.  Ricoh has a number one market share in Europe and is ranked number 335 in the Global 500.  The Ricoh Arena sponsorship deal was signed on 26 April 2005 and has unique, world class facilities.  It is situated in the heart of England – within two hours drive time from 75 per cent of the UK population.  It is set to become a world class international entertainment and sports centre.  

For further information: 
The Communication Group: 
Nicki Glancey, nglancey@thecommunicationgroup.co.uk;
Natasha Behrouz, nbehrouz@thecommunicationgroup.co.uk;
T: 020 7630 1411

Coventry City Football Club:
Jo Lumani, jo.lumani@ccfc.co.uk
T: 0870 421 5033

Advent Communications: 
Adam Dent, adent@advent-communications.co.uk, 
T: 024 7663 3636