Premiership Rugby side London Wasps have "completed the full purchase" of the Ricoh Arena in Coventry, according to the BBC. In October, the Premiership team bought Coventry City Council's 50% stake in the stadium, "and they have now acquired the remaining shareholding from the Alan Edward Higgs Charity." Wasps will "play their first game at the Ricoh Arena" against London Irish on Dec. 21. Coventry City will "continue to play in the stadium after Wasps make the move from their current home at Adams Park in High Wycombe, 82 miles south of the Ricoh." The North Stand of the arena will be renamed The Higgs Charity Stand, with Wasps saying that 50% from every ticket sold in the stand "will go to the charity, which offers grants to communities around the city" (BBC, 11/14). The PA reported Wasps CEO Nick Eastwood said, "We are very much looking forward to embedding ourselves in the region and helping promote rugby -- something we have already committed to by making over 12,000 free tickets available to schools and rugby clubs in the Coventry area." Coventry confirmed an offer made for the charity's stake was around £2.8M ($4.4M) and "they will continue to pursue their plans for a new stadium" (PA, 11/14).
