The local train company has issued a clear caution to fans traveling by train to The CBS Arena for this evening’s Championship match between Coventry City and Ipswich Town.
Coventry City face Ipswich Town at The CBS Arena in a crucial Championship encounter that kicks off at the unusual time of 6pm. The match is critical for both teams, with Coventry and Ipswich among the favourites to be promoted to the Premier League at the end of current season.
However, West Midlands Railway has issued a warning to supporters traveling to this match, advising them to double-check their route before leaving for the big match.
West Midlands Railway warns travelling fans to check their journey.
West Midlands Railway, the train company that serves the Coventry area, has issued a warning to fans via the social media platform X, advising them to double-check their travel plans before leaving for this evening’s match at The CBS Arena.
The message states that “we expect services heading into Coventry to be busier than usual” and that “there will be an additional calling pattern at Coventry Arena” ahead of the big match.
They advise anyone going to the match to “please check your journey before you travel”.
A 6pm kick-off on a Monday evening was an unusual decision on the part of the EFL
Regardless of the Christmas season, the EFL’s decision to start such a high-profile match at 6 p.m. on a Monday evening was unprecedented.
With an early kick-off, they can show two live matches on Sky Sports Football tonight, with Birmingham City and Southampton starting at 8.15 p.m., which is slightly later than normal. Sky Sports+ will also broadcast six 7.45 kickoffs, two from each of the EFL’s three divisions.
Because the 29th of December is not a public holiday, some supporters will be working on the day of the match, making getting to the CBS Arena – which is not in Coventry City Centre – difficult at 6pm, whether they are rooting for the home team or the visiting team.
The first Monday after the Christmas holiday was always going to be a very busy day in Coventry city center, because the kick-off time coincided with when both workers and shoppers may be coming home.
West Midlands Railway may have been looking ahead to the clubs’ previous match at the CBS Arena in 2025 when they made their early announcement.
When Coventry and Ipswich played in the Fourth Round of the FA Cup at the beginning of February, kick-off was delayed by ten minutes, yet some supporters still missed a lot of action. Ipswich scored the game’s first goal when they were awarded a penalty kick in the first minute, but Coventry equalised eight minutes later, with some still taking their seats. Ipswich won the game 4-1.
With another large crowd expected for this match, the railway company has chosen to send a clear message to both home and away fans travelling to Coventry ahead of time tonight that they should allow extra time to get to The CBS Arena to ensure that they do not miss any of the action.
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