Temporary No-Fly Zone Issued Over Coventry Arena

Last updated: 2 June 2026 11:07

3 Min Read

As a huge music event graces Coventry Building Society Arena, flying restrictions have been issued for safety reasons © Stephen McKay

A three-day no-fly zone has been put in place by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) over Coventry Building Society Arena and the surrounding area as a result of live music events scheduled in close succession. The restrictions are set to operate on the first weekend of June 2026.

A view of Coventry skyline in the evening. Building extend out from close to the camera at the bottom of the image into the distance in the centre of the image. the top of the image depicts a darkening blue sky in what looks like early evening. — Airspace in Coventry has been hit with no-fly restrictions © Si Chun Lam

Coventry Music Event of the Year

At the request of West Midlands Police, a no-fly zone has been temporarily put into place over Coventry Building Society Arena from June 4 to June 6, 2026. The restrictions coincide with the Coventry leg of popular British boyband Take That’s UK tour, where the members are due to perform live at the venue three days running.

The tour is a rerun of the band’s highly successful 2009 Circus tour, which became the fastest-selling concert sale at the time from the tickets’ release. With over 100,000 people attending, the weekend is set to be one of the most anticipated and sizeable events in the music scene in Coventry for the whole of 2026.

Because of the event, it was agreed by the CAA and the Secretary of State for Transport that introducing temporary Restriction of Flying Regulations under Article 239 of the Air Navigation Order 2016 was necessary. The restrictions limit the operation of all types of unmanned aircraft in the impacted area for safety and security purposes during a scheduled gathering of large numbers of people.

Coventry Police confirmed this in a public statement, where they emphasised that:

“No drones will be able to fly in the area for safety and security reasons. The restrictions will be in place from 5pm and midnight on each day.”

A circular sign with a red border around the edge, with a cartoon image of a drone with a red cross through it, from the upper left to the lower right. The sign is on a pole in front of a tree. The background is stylistically blurred but grass and a path can be seen. — The restrictions apply to unmanned aircraft, like drones © Jakub Żerdzicki

No Drones

According to the briefing document available for public access, between 5 p.m. and midnight on each of June 4, 5, and 6, no unmanned aircraft is to fly below 1400 feet Above Mean Sea Level (AMSL) within a 0.8 nautical mile radius of the arena at 522653N 0012944W.

It is emphasised in the document that these restrictions do not apply at all to manned aircraft or to any unmanned aircraft flying in accordance with the permission of the West Midlands Police Drone Team.

Do you think the no-fly zone is necessary? Let us know in the comments.