Up to 50,000 people are expected to descend on War Memorial Park on Bank Holiday Monday for Coventry City FC’s We Are Back: Live festival – and with security checks on every gate, there is a comprehensive list of banned items, strict bag rules and an entry cut-off time you absolutely need to know about before you leave the house.
The event runs from 1pm to 7pm on Monday 4 May and forms the centrepiece of Coventry’s celebration of the Sky Blues’ return to the Premier League for the first time since 2001. The Enemy and Tom Grennan headline a full day of live music, with Frank Lampard’s title-winning squad expected on stage from 4pm after the open-top bus parade concludes at Hearsall Common.
Coventry City FC has described it as “the biggest party this city has seen.” Here is how to make sure you actually get in.
Entry times – the 3pm cut-off
The most important thing to know: last entry to the festival is 3pm. No one will be admitted to the War Memorial Park after this time.
The festival opens at 1pm. Fans who want to both watch part of the open-top bus parade and attend the festival are encouraged to position themselves along the earlier sections of the route – from Holbrook Lane through to Hollyfast Road – which the buses are expected to pass between 1:20pm and 2:30pm, leaving enough time to reach the park before the 3pm cut-off.
Players and staff will arrive at the War Memorial Park at 4pm after a short private break following the conclusion of the public parade at Hearsall Common.
Tickets
Season ticket holder tickets are priced at £5 and are on sale now. General sale tickets went on sale on Wednesday 29 April at £10. All proceeds from ticket sales go directly to Coventry City FC, as confirmed by Coventry City Council.
There will be no public wi-fi on site – attendees are strongly advised to add their tickets to their Apple Wallet or Google Wallet before leaving home.
Bag rules
One bag per person is permitted, but it must be no larger than A4 size. Larger bags will only be allowed in special circumstances – for example for parents with young children – and this is entirely at the discretion of the festival management team.
There are no storage facilities on site, so if you are bringing a larger bag, plan accordingly.
Food can also be brought in but must fit within the single A4-sized bag allowance.
Full list of banned items
Security will be checking bags on entry. Items found will be confiscated and you may be refused entry or ejected from the site if they are discovered on you. The full list of banned items is:
- Fireworks or flares
- Flag poles
- Selfie sticks
- Glass items of any kind, including bottles, makeup containers and perfume
- Umbrellas over 30cm in size
- Disposable vapes
- Aerosols, including deodorants, antiperspirants, hairspray, dry shampoo and spray paint
- Alcohol
- Drinks – one sealed, unopened 500ml bottle of water per person is permitted; bottles of baby milk are also allowed; free water refills will be available on site
- Drones, quadcopters or any remote-controlled flying device
- Illegal substances, psychoactive substances, nitrous oxide and legal highs
- Smoke bombs, flag sticks or banners
- Megaphones, airhorns or compressed air devices
- Chinese lanterns
- Candles
- Sound systems or generators
- Animals, with the exception of registered guide dogs
- Portable laser equipment and pens
- Unofficial high-visibility jackets or tabards
- Portable or disposable barbecues, gas or paraffin lamps or any fire or gas-related cooking equipment
- Signs or materials displaying political, religious, offensive or race-related messages, slogans or images
- Anything that could reasonably be considered for use as a weapon
- Professional camera or video recording equipment, including SLRs and cameras with detachable lenses
- Items bearing trademarks or promotional signs that organisers believe are for commercial purposes
- Face coverings, except medical masks or religious headwear
- Camping chairs
Dogs
Animals are not permitted on site. Only registered, qualified and trained guide dogs will be allowed. Other assistance dogs may be considered on a case-by-case basis – anyone who needs to bring an assistance dog must contact the club or event organisers ahead of the festival.
Getting there – and parking
There is no car parking available at the CBS Arena on the day of the event, and no food or drink available to purchase there. The parade departs at 1pm from the CBS Arena area, but fans are actively encouraged not to gather at the Arena itself and instead to line the route in the community along the way.
Rolling road closures will be in place along the parade route throughout the afternoon. Once the buses have passed, roads will reopen – giving fans on the route the opportunity to make their way to the War Memorial Park in time for the 4pm arrival of the players.
Summary – quick guide
| What | Detail |
|---|---|
| Date | Bank Holiday Monday, 4 May 2026 |
| Venue | War Memorial Park, Coventry |
| Gates open | 1pm |
| Last entry | 3pm |
| Event ends | 7pm |
| Players on stage | From 4pm |
| Season ticket holders | £5 – on sale now |
| General sale | £10 – on sale now |
| Max bag size | A4 |
| Glass | Banned |
| Alcohol | Banned |
| Dogs | Guide dogs only |
| Wi-Fi | None on site – save tickets to your phone |
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