Following the announcement of their plans to boost attendance in the Family Zone at the CBS Arena and introduce a new Ticket Exchange system for supporters unable to make it to certain matches, Coventry City has faced a mixed reaction from fans.
While some Sky Blues supporters have expressed dissatisfaction with the new policies, labeling it as a misstep by club owner Doug King, others have viewed it more positively, seeing it as a fair move. The club has stated that changes to the terms and conditions of Family Zone Season Tickets for the 2024/25 season are being made in response to feedback and ticket demand in the area.
A significant portion of Family Zone seats has been consistently unused during matchdays, preventing other supporters from taking advantage of the area’s benefits and contributing to a lively matchday atmosphere. To address this issue, the club plans to overhaul the Terms and Conditions governing the Family Zone to ensure better utilization of seats.
In cases where fans are unable to attend matches in the Family Zone, they will have the option to utilize the new Ticket Exchange system, details of which will be finalized in the coming months. Failure to exchange tickets for three or more matches or exceeding ten occasions without utilizing the Ticket Exchange will lead to revocation of Season Tickets, with the seats offered on a match-by-match basis to qualifying supporters. Those failing to comply with the new guidelines may also face restrictions on purchasing or renewing tickets for the following season in the Family Zone.
Coventry City’s Owner and Executive Chairman, Doug King, emphasized the importance of engaging with the club’s growing youth fanbase and expressed satisfaction with the response to the Family Zone offer in the previous season, highlighting its value in fostering the next generation of supporters and families.
However, despite the Arena consistently selling out and drawing in large crowds, there was a noticeable trend of empty seats on game days that left organizers disappointed.
Acknowledging that not all fans can make it to every game, the decision was made to implement participation requirements and establish a Ticket Exchange program for this particular area. Renewing Season Ticket holders were reassured that these measures were put in place for a reason and were urged to support these changes.
Furthermore, it came to light that some attendees were taking advantage of the discounted Family Zone tickets. These fans were observed purchasing an adult season ticket along with a child’s ticket but failing to bring the child to the games regularly. Instead of opting for the standard zone season ticket priced at £400, they paid £250 for the adult ticket and £50 for the child’s ticket, totaling £300. Additionally, instances were reported where fans in the Family Zone would purchase tickets but then relocate to vacant seats in different sections of the stadium during games.