Corporate hospitality boosts Sky Blues’ business
COVENTRY City Football Club is enjoying a pre-season boost even before a ball is kicked in the new Championship campaign.
Despite a disappointing 2009/10 season – which ultimately led to former manager Chris Coleman being sacked – eager fans are snapping up new hospitality packages for the new season, giving a much needed to the Sky Blues’ coffers.
The club has reported strong interest in many of its seasonal hospitality packages, with sales up on the same period last year. More firms are expected to sign up as the new season approaches.
The announcement is a double boost for the Ricoh Arena following the decision by the London Olympics organisers to make the stadium one of its venues for 2012 football tournament.
Nathan Kosky, the club’s commercial director, said the club’s corporate packages had held up well and that football remained an attractive outlet for firms looking to boost their networking, advertising and staff rewards.
He said: “The Championship is the fourth most watched league in Europe – ahead of the top divisions in Italy and France and behind only our own Premier League and the top divisions in Germany and Spain.
“Added to that we have TV rights deals with the BBC and Sky and the sport remains as popular as ever. That is expected to go through the roof with the World Cup coming up.”
If England do well during the tournament then this could be a further boost for sales.
“We are in a strong position from a corporate point of view before the tournament gets under way because we’ve had a very good response to our corporate packages for the new season,” said Mr Kosky.
“Along with season ticket sales, it’s a substantial part of the club’s revenue stream.”
