Coventry City season ticket news from CoventryLive as Sky Blues owner Doug King reveals new policy to free up unused seats
After announcing plans to guarantee that the Family Zone at the CBS Arena is full more often than it has been this past season and revealing that a new Ticket Exchange system will be put in place for supporters who can’t get to certain matches, Coventry City has faced backlash from supporters.
Some Sky Blues fans are not happy about the announcement and are calling for a “rethink” from the team. One fan commented that owner Doug King “missed the mark by a country mile” and that the new policy “stinks.” Conversely, some people have said things like “seems fair” and “can’t understand the meltdown.”
The club has announced that, in response to feedback and demand for tickets in the least expensive section of the stadium, they would be modifying the terms and conditions of Family Zone Season Tickets for the 2024–2025 season.
According to a statement from the club, “every matchday, about one-third of the Family Zone seats are left unoccupied. This implies that other fans are losing out on this amazing deal and the opportunity to see the Sky Blues from these seats. Everyone wants to see the Arena packed and for spectators to take in the incredible matchday atmosphere.
“These seats are effectively reserved for use by anyone who wish to join their children, nieces, or nephews in this section because they are offered seasonally but remain unsold. It’s not fair. We are updating the terms and conditions that govern the Family Zone section in light of this.
“Fans who are unable to attend games in the Family Zone may utilize the new Ticket Exchange system for matches; complete information will be provided in the summer. It has been added to the Family Zone area Terms and Conditions that fans must use the Ticket Exchange to exchange their tickets if they are unable to attend. Your season ticket will be canceled for the balance of the season if you fail to do this three times or more, and eligible fans will be given the opportunity to purchase tickets on a match-by-match basis. Moreover, your season ticket will be canceled for the balance of the season if you use the ticket exchange more than ten times; there won’t be any reimbursements.
Regretfully, those who violate these conditions will also be prohibited from making purchases or renewing in the Family Zone for the 2025–2026 campaign.
Owner and Executive Chairman of Coventry City, Doug King, stated: “We have a fast growing and vibrant youth section who are reengaging with the club. As many will have seen as the season has progressed and having personally witnessed the wonderful open training session put on for club sponsors and Junior Sky Blues.”
Naturally, we were thrilled with the reception and usage of the Family Zone section during the 2023–2024 season; it was an excellent opportunity for the upcoming generation of fans and their families. Though the Arena was frequently sold out, there were far too many games where the actual number of people who showed up to claim their seats was underwhelming.
We are implementing participation requirements and the Ticket Exchange for this zone because we recognize that fans might not be able to attend every game. I am confident that individuals who renew their season tickets this year will comprehend the rationale behind these measures.
It’s thought that the club has also observed some supporters taking advantage of the discounted Family Zone area by purchasing a season ticket for an adult for £250 plus a child for £50 (a total of £300) and not attending many games with the youngster instead of spending £400 for a season ticket in the standard zone. Additionally, there have been instances where fans have purchased tickets in the Family Zone and then frequently relocated to open seats elsewhere on the field.
The following fan commentary has generated significant controversy within the Sky Blue Army:
gmkonline: Of all the excellent deeds Doug King has accomplished, relatively few have been directed toward the younger fan base’s children. Our home games this season have been in the middle of the week; we are from Manchester. To be honest, this stinks.
Dale Harris:I see what Doug is attempting to accomplish here, but he’s fallen far short. The purchase of those season tickets was made with the impression that football games would typically take place on Saturdays at 3 p.m., but this season, that was definitely not the case.
Simon Miller: This is terrible since so many families purchase tickets, and the games are now held in the evenings on weekdays—these are the clubs’ future.
Harby Garchay: This season’s midweek games are far too numerous. On a school night, how may parents bring their children? particularly throughout the winter. This is limited to games played on the weekends.
Lee MarloweEven though you bought a ticket, you’re keeping people hostage. You are aware that we have supporters who travel great distances, children who can’t attend games at night, and fixtures that are frequently shifted. I won’t be impacted, but I think this is very out of touch. First and first, football is about the fans.
Bully: I paid for this seat, so it’s up to me whether it remains empty. Because they are young, especially in the middle of the week, my kids decide whether or not to go on the day. I have to pay £250 to attend each midweek game away from work, so I will kindly make room for a family who can afford it more frequently.
RichO:This is completely ridiculous. There aren’t many kickoffs at 3 p.m. anymore, which is why the seats are vacant. On a night match, what would you like a six-year-old to do? I get the impression that you will shortly withdraw this policy. You stole the money from @skytv. Never chastise the children.
Chef Antony:What impact does this have on kids who own Family Zone season tickets but are unable to attend night games because they have school the next day? This seems to be penalizing fans who have little children in an unjust way.
Papa Roche:This is a little absurd, in my opinion. I’ll explain why there were going to be empty seats. All season, we had roughly seven kickoffs at 3 p.m. 15 times a year at 8 p.m., you want people to be dragging their 6–10-year-old children to the stadium. Do children’s tickets or adult tickets fall under this as well?
Rick Cushen:This is not good. Since some parents are unable to keep their younger children out so late, the rescheduled midweek games shouldn’t be included in the list of “missed” games. Kindly reconsider this strategy.
Greg Sherrington: Using a fair strategy and stepping up enforcement against system abusers. For real families with little children, this is problematic as they will need to purchase season tickets without access to fixture listings.
Andy BentleyThis is just to deter those who purchase a child’s ticket only to take advantage of the discounted season pass rather than actually bringing the child? Most likely, the same folks who are complaining now will still be complaining when the club stops making purchases!
Paul AdamsWhoa, this is truly quite horrible. “Refunds not given.” You will forfeit your purchased season ticket if you miss three straight games or ten in a season. I understand that it’s lost, but it’s terrible that there isn’t a partial return. Consider the consequences if this occurs. Life isn’t just about CCFCs.
Bobbygodo:Since I have a family ST, I can genuinely assist when it comes to wanting to bring friends and relatives. To be honest, I’m not against this. But in my opinion, the elegant seats in the main stand should be filled up more than the family area, which should already be depicted as being fuller. Looks awful on television.
Matt SBA:I’m not sure why all the commotion… Purchase individual tickets for each game a child can attend if their attendance limit is under ten games per season. The club does not want STs to attend ten games a year out of thousands of five-year-olds. This gives more fans an opportunity.
Neil JohnsonI believe the club miscalculated this. 19,000 season passes were sold out of 30,000 total tickets. If you’re interested, tickets are always available. This season, there were just twelve midweek games and seven 3 p.m. Saturday KOs. I mean, if kids under 16 have school too, surely it’s unfair to make them go?
Sid:I understand the necessity to intervene. There are a lot of guys where I sit in Block 34 with my son that I have never seen kids with. Purchasing an adult and an U18 ticket together for £350 during the previous season was a terrific deal, but many take advantage of this by purchasing a ST for their imaginary child.
Robert Smith: A dumb choice. I have season tickets to the FZ with my kids. There are always a lot of kids there, and it’s always busy if it’s Saturday kickoff. The biggest issue is the sheer quantity of midweek games. Most likely, we won’t be renewing.
Chickenzombie: While I appreciate Doug’s actions since becoming leadership, this isn’t it. Like he did with the family zone season ticket prices last year, I want to see him make some changes to this policy.
TwoCathedrals: With the amount of games shifted to the evenings for television, this is a major miss. It’s acceptable to set a cap on how many times a person can’t swap their tickets, but it’s not appropriate to revoke tickets if a person uses the exchange more than ten times—unless this restriction only applies on Saturdays.
OJ: It all makes sense. If you intend to purchase or renew a season pass. After that, use it to enter the games. You have nine chances to forfeit your spot in the exchange if you are unable to make any. 9 is almost half a season. Get rid of your ST if you won’t be using it frequently.
Pete Didgeon: While I believe a ticket exchange program is an excellent idea, true fans who are unable to attend nighttime games because they have young children shouldn’t be penalized. There are better ways to punish people who have misused the system than using ST cards, especially if you want to crack down on them.
Martin ShawThis season, my 10-year-old son received his first season ticket. Even though it was a three-hour round trip, we went to every game, even though I might not have cared if I had known how many would be moved! For people who are unable to attend every game, having the opportunity to resell is a wise decision.
Colin Kiley:Consider it unfair to deny season tickets to individuals who have missed three games. In addition, we no longer have Saturday kickoffs, so my kids missed a few games owing to illness and other issues. If we sold out every week and had to sell more tickets, I might see it, but we only did it for a select few games.
James Spittle:I reviewed this again and found very little evidence to justify the strategy.Please Coventry City, listen to your followers and act morally. Rethinking is necessary.
PUSB-Lee:For the first time, Doug, you are completely incorrect. I reside in Devon, and my dad, two of my under-ten-year-old girls, and I all have season tickets. Because 3pm was shifted, we were only able to attend 8 or 9 home games overall, and we spent more over £1500.
PBilling: The meltdown is beyond comprehension. Obviously, a season ticket isn’t appropriate if you can’t make it to 10 of the 23 home games.
Jeff is my name.Providing tickets that would otherwise be empty is a good concept. Ultimately, it is a certain that games will be shifted starting at 3 p.m. on Saturdays due to the current nature of the game.
Justin Locker:Looks reasonable. When there are so many empty seats despite the event being supposed to be sold out, it is embarrassing.
Steve:When so many games are scheduled for a weeknight school evening, this is absurd. Sky can abruptly switch up the games. Not only should this apply to the entire stadium, but instead of only young fans, shouldn’t it? This season, there have been too many games moved from Saturday at 3 p.m. to midweek.
Chris:I’m not sure about this. especially considering that the TV people will decide how much disturbance they are willing to cause when the fixtures are announced. However, good luck with the season ticket sales.
Sue ScottIt’s encouraging to see that you are taking care of system abusers!
Chris Mutton: This is ridiculous; when games are dispersed, people, particularly those with children, are unable to access them. Coventry City is an embarrassment.
BadManBadly: Well done, Doug. Those who find this offensive ought to think carefully about whether a season ticket is what they need. would be wiser to get individual tickets for the games they believe they can attend. Season passes require dedication.
Patrick: How the heck? You charge someone for a seat, and then you take it away from them if they don’t use it more than three times? Wholly absurd and utterly disconnected. Although I can appreciate the sentiment, it is incorrect to have a full stadium.
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