Follow Health Club Management on Twitter Like Health Club Management on Facebook Join the discussion with Health Club Management on LinkedIn
FITNESS, HEALTH, WELLNESS

Latest news

Wasps eyes further expansion with training ground and leisure facility

Wasps Rugby Club is gearing up for further expansion following its acquisition of the Ricoh Arena, with a “state of the art” training ground and a 150,000sq ft (13,935sq metres) leisure facility in the pipeline.

The Aviva Premiership club purchased the stadium in Coventry for £20m ($30.1m, €27.6m) in October 2014, securing a 32,500-seater ground, a 40,000-capacity concert venue, 20,000sq m (215,278sq ft) of exhibition space, a 121-room hotel and the UK’s third largest casino.

Talking at last month’s Rugby Expo, Wasps chief executive David Armstrong said the “three-pronged strategy” of sport, business and entertainment would “futureproof Wasps Rugby Club for the next 100 years” and be the foundation of its growth plans.

Armstrong revealed the club was ramping up its strategy to 2023 and was not planning to “sit on its hands”. As well as the new rugby base and the leisure facility – which is at the very early stages of planning – Wasps also wants to add a “second or possibly third hotel” and expand its retail business across the Midlands in an attempt to capitalise on its new potential fanbase.

A site for the new training facility is due to be unveiled in the New Year after the club receives planning confirmation from the local council.

“We are now a full end-to-end leisure business headlined by a great rugby brand,” he said. “We are able to diversify, we can take a view on different types of investments we want to take, whether that’s business, entertainment or sport.”

Whereas matchday income and central income made up 37 per cent and 52 per cent of the revenue when Wasps was based at Wycombe Wanderers’ Adams Park, they now count for 13 per cent and 18 per cent respectively.

At the Ricoh Arena, property and rental services (16 per cent), and arena sponsorship (16 per cent) bring in a substantial chunk of the club’s revenue, while conferencing and exhibitions make up the largest chunk of the income at 22 per cent. The stadium is due to host Rugby Expo for the next three years.

In 2015, the stadium held 49 exhibitions and trade shows, 63 large conferences and 537 smaller conferences, while concerts involving Coldplay and Kings of Leon sold out with more than 40,000 fans each. According to Armstrong, the arena hosted 1.4m visitors across the year and is gearing up for a Rihanna concert in 2016.

Armstrong also indicated the importance of growing the club’s supporter base after the move, and revealed Wasps’ strategy for delivering a “great fan experience”. A Fan Village, which holds 6,000 people, is installed during every home match, and shows alternative rugby matches, hosts bands and provides other entertainment across seven hours.

He pointed to a focus on technology platforms the club was in the process of developing in a bid to attract and retain fans, closely mirroring a model developed by Manchester City Football Club.

“We arrived in the Midlands and took a few friends up the road with us, but essentially we knew nobody,” said Armstrong. “The main competitor is not Leicester or Northampton, the main competitor is the sofa and how we encourage people to come and experience our match day, as opposed to watching BT Sport and Sky Sports coverage.”

Related news

Wasps’ Ricoh Arena to host next three Rugby Expo

27 Nov 2015
The Ricoh Arena, the home ground of the Aviva Premiership’s Wasps Rugby Club, has been ...

Wasps plan Ricoh Arena revamp after record turnover

09 Apr 2015
Aviva Premiership rugby club Wasps will introduce new restaurants and bars as part of a ...

Wasps complete deal for 100 per cent ownership of Ricoh Arena

14 Nov 2014
Wasps Rugby Club has completed a deal to become the sole owner of Arena Coventry ...
Wasps Rugby Club is gearing up for further expansion following its acquisition of the Ricoh Arena, with a “state of the art” training ground and a 150,000sq ft (13,935sq metres) leisure facility in the pipeline.
SAR
307754_809943.jpg
Latest News
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Elevate has had its busiest show to date, with almost 200 ...
Latest News
A new report from Your Personal Training (YPT) suggests UK gym operators could be missing ...
Latest News
Eighty-four per cent of consumers now say wellness is a top priority in their lives, ...
Latest News
Elevate Arena is underway at London's Excel and the hot topic of AI was the ...
Latest News
PureGym Group has announced that group chief financial officer, Alex Wood, is taking over the ...
Latest News
Independent operator, Fitness Worx Gyms, is introducing private blood testing as a service to members. ...
Latest News
International industry lobbying associations are calling for physical activity and strength training to be deeply ...
Latest News
Global group exercise specialist, Les Mills, is inviting operators to sign up to its Workout ...
HCM promotional features
Sponsored
Find out how your gym can tap into the corporate wellness boom
HCM promotional features
Sponsored
Third Space partnered with IndigoFitness to deliver a bespoke training space for its new club at The Whiteley
HCM promotional features
Sponsored
SnowDome Fitness has added 50 per cent more space with cutting-edge Technogym solutions
HCM promotional features
Sponsored
Starpool supports Olympic champion Marcell Jacobs, says Riccardo Turri
HCM promotional features
Sponsored
David Lloyd is stepping up its commitment to women’s health as it continues to explore what fit-for-purpose looks like for the female population
HCM promotional features
Sponsored
Greg Bradley looks at the shift towards strength training in gyms and advises on how operators can create the ultimate training environment
HCM promotional features
Sponsored
EGYM has opened a new HQ in Paternoster Square, London and revealed a range of new launches
HCM promotional features
Sponsored
Pulse Fitness has created a new health club delivering an elevated wellness experience
HCM promotional features
Promotion
Performance Health Systems, manufacturer of Power Plate, has a new CEO, with an ambitious vision for the company
HCM promotional features
HCM magazine
As the entrepreneur who started Wexer, Fresh Fitness, Fitness DK and Repeat, as well as being a former elite athlete, Rasmus Ingerslev’s life looked perfect from the outside, but onthe inside it was a different story. He talks to Kath Hudson about healing old wounds
HCM magazine
I experienced a blissful feeling of joy I hadn’t felt since I was a kid
HCM magazine
For every member with a tripod and a big following, there are others irritated at the way equipment is being hogged or wary they’ll be in the background on someone’s Insta feed. Do influencers offer valuable, free marketing or are they just a nuisance? Kath Hudson finds out how operators are responding
HCM magazine
Raphael Cuomo explores the powerful link between addiction, health and behaviour change
HCM magazine
If the health service is to survive, we must recognise that it is a disease service – and that wellbeing rests with us, says the activity advocate and healthy ageing champion. He talks to Kate Cracknell
Opinion
promotion
Strength training has moved from the margins to the mainstream.
Opinion: Building smarter strength spaces for today’s operators
Featured supplier news
Featured supplier news: Reaching the people most gyms miss: Bedford Gym & Swim Campaign delivers 410 new members
One of the biggest mistakes the fitness industry still makes is advertising almost exclusively to people who already look and live like gym members.
Featured supplier news
Featured supplier news: Supporting long-term health: why whole body vibration belongs in clinical settings
As healthcare continues to shift towards prevention, there’s a growing focus on helping people stay active, independent and feeling good for longer.
Company profiles
Company profile: Innerva
Innerva are a UK manufacturer of ‘Power Assisted Exercise’ equipment for older adults, those with ...
Company profiles
Company profile: Power Plate
Power Plate's range of products include whole body vibration platforms, targeted vibration products and the ...
Supplier Showcases
Supplier Showcase - From nightclub to health club
Supplier Showcases
Supplier Showcase - Future-proofing
Catalogue Gallery
Click on a catalogue to view it online
Featured press releases
Create PT press release: Create sets a new standard with its new personal training diploma
Create's new Personal Training Diploma is built on the depth, real-client practice and coaching judgement that turn a qualification into genuine readiness - taught as one continuous course so that every skill is reinforced and applied, not cleared once and forgotten.
Featured press releases
Leisure Energy press release: Studley Leisure Centre solar panel installation project begins
Stratford-on-Avon District Council is delighted to announce a new solar panel installation project at Studley Leisure Centre, marking an important step towards improving the sustainability of this valued community facility.
Directory
Hot tubs
MSpa International Ltd: Hot tubs
Industrial washing machines
Miele Company Limited: Industrial washing machines
Lockers
Crown Sports Lockers: Lockers
Fitness tracking platform
SpiviTech: Fitness tracking platform
Water experiences and hydrotherapy solutions
Aquaform s.r.l.: Water experiences and hydrotherapy solutions
Spa and beauty equipment
Oakworks Inc: Spa and beauty equipment
Property & Tenders
Stratford, East London.
Lee Valley Regional Park Authority
Property & Tenders
Y Felinheli, LL56 4QN
Newmark
Property & Tenders
Diary dates
22-23 Jun 2026
WX Wakefield , Wakefield, United Kingdom
Diary dates
21-24 Sep 2026
The Langham Huntington Pasadena , Pasadena, United States
Diary dates
06-08 Oct 2026
Messe Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
Diary dates
22-22 Oct 2026
QEII Conference Centre, London,
Diary dates
26-29 Oct 2027
Koelnmesse Exhibition Centre, Cologne, Germany
Diary dates

Latest news

Wasps eyes further expansion with training ground and leisure facility

Wasps Rugby Club is gearing up for further expansion following its acquisition of the Ricoh Arena, with a “state of the art” training ground and a 150,000sq ft (13,935sq metres) leisure facility in the pipeline.

The Aviva Premiership club purchased the stadium in Coventry for £20m ($30.1m, €27.6m) in October 2014, securing a 32,500-seater ground, a 40,000-capacity concert venue, 20,000sq m (215,278sq ft) of exhibition space, a 121-room hotel and the UK’s third largest casino.

Talking at last month’s Rugby Expo, Wasps chief executive David Armstrong said the “three-pronged strategy” of sport, business and entertainment would “futureproof Wasps Rugby Club for the next 100 years” and be the foundation of its growth plans.

Armstrong revealed the club was ramping up its strategy to 2023 and was not planning to “sit on its hands”. As well as the new rugby base and the leisure facility – which is at the very early stages of planning – Wasps also wants to add a “second or possibly third hotel” and expand its retail business across the Midlands in an attempt to capitalise on its new potential fanbase.

A site for the new training facility is due to be unveiled in the New Year after the club receives planning confirmation from the local council.

“We are now a full end-to-end leisure business headlined by a great rugby brand,” he said. “We are able to diversify, we can take a view on different types of investments we want to take, whether that’s business, entertainment or sport.”

Whereas matchday income and central income made up 37 per cent and 52 per cent of the revenue when Wasps was based at Wycombe Wanderers’ Adams Park, they now count for 13 per cent and 18 per cent respectively.

At the Ricoh Arena, property and rental services (16 per cent), and arena sponsorship (16 per cent) bring in a substantial chunk of the club’s revenue, while conferencing and exhibitions make up the largest chunk of the income at 22 per cent. The stadium is due to host Rugby Expo for the next three years.

In 2015, the stadium held 49 exhibitions and trade shows, 63 large conferences and 537 smaller conferences, while concerts involving Coldplay and Kings of Leon sold out with more than 40,000 fans each. According to Armstrong, the arena hosted 1.4m visitors across the year and is gearing up for a Rihanna concert in 2016.

Armstrong also indicated the importance of growing the club’s supporter base after the move, and revealed Wasps’ strategy for delivering a “great fan experience”. A Fan Village, which holds 6,000 people, is installed during every home match, and shows alternative rugby matches, hosts bands and provides other entertainment across seven hours.

He pointed to a focus on technology platforms the club was in the process of developing in a bid to attract and retain fans, closely mirroring a model developed by Manchester City Football Club.

“We arrived in the Midlands and took a few friends up the road with us, but essentially we knew nobody,” said Armstrong. “The main competitor is not Leicester or Northampton, the main competitor is the sofa and how we encourage people to come and experience our match day, as opposed to watching BT Sport and Sky Sports coverage.”

Related news

Wasps’ Ricoh Arena to host next three Rugby Expo

27 Nov 2015
The Ricoh Arena, the home ground of the Aviva Premiership’s Wasps Rugby Club, has been ...

Wasps plan Ricoh Arena revamp after record turnover

09 Apr 2015
Aviva Premiership rugby club Wasps will introduce new restaurants and bars as part of a ...

Wasps complete deal for 100 per cent ownership of Ricoh Arena

14 Nov 2014
Wasps Rugby Club has completed a deal to become the sole owner of Arena Coventry ...
Wasps Rugby Club is gearing up for further expansion following its acquisition of the Ricoh Arena, with a “state of the art” training ground and a 150,000sq ft (13,935sq metres) leisure facility in the pipeline.
SAR
307754_809943.jpg

Latest news

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Elevate has had its busiest show to date, with almost 200
A new report from Your Personal Training (YPT) suggests UK gym operators could be missing
Eighty-four per cent of consumers now say wellness is a top priority in their lives,
Elevate Arena is underway at London's Excel and the hot topic of AI was the
PureGym Group has announced that group chief financial officer, Alex Wood, is taking over the
Independent operator, Fitness Worx Gyms, is introducing private blood testing as a service to members.
Alliance Leisure
Alliance Leisure
As healthcare continues to shift towards prevention, there’s a growing focus on helping people stay
International industry lobbying associations are calling for physical activity and strength training to be deeply
Global group exercise specialist, Les Mills, is inviting operators to sign up to its Workout
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider, HUM2N, to launch
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, is gearing up to unveil its most significant redevelopment
Researchers in the US have identified an antibody which could greatly reduce the loss of
Peloton has made the strategic acquisition of Pilates start-up, Skōp, to support the expansion of
Global Wellness Summit
Global Wellness Summit
One of the biggest mistakes operators in the fitness industry still make is advertising almost
Crunch Fitness has announced the launch of Crunch Reform Pilates – its own reformer concept
The 20th State of the Industry Report from LeisureDB has revealed a resilient, expanding and
Purpose Brands has announced its entry into the Italian market, having sold the franchise rights
Fitness First UK is integrating red light therapy into its yoga and Pilates classes through
Nuffield Health has told HCM that it takes its responsibilities towards its colleagues seriously and
Technogym has announced the launch of the Run X World Treadmill Championship, the first world
Xplor Fitness & Leisure
Xplor Fitness & Leisure
Active Blackpool is deploying Cornerstone Connect, a new digital interface allowing disparate information from multiple
Shocked by the UK loneliness statistics, charitable trust Mytime Active has been doubling down on
Portugal’s leading operator, SC Fitness, is celebrating a milestone by reaching 100 gyms.  The company
Elevate Arena
Elevate Arena
1 - 20 of 12,300
HCM promotional features
Sponsored
Find out how your gym can tap into the corporate wellness boom
HCM promotional features
Sponsored
Third Space partnered with IndigoFitness to deliver a bespoke training space for its new club at The Whiteley
HCM promotional features
Sponsored
SnowDome Fitness has added 50 per cent more space with cutting-edge Technogym solutions
HCM promotional features
Sponsored
Starpool supports Olympic champion Marcell Jacobs, says Riccardo Turri
HCM promotional features
Sponsored
David Lloyd is stepping up its commitment to women’s health as it continues to explore what fit-for-purpose looks like for the female population
HCM promotional features
Sponsored
Greg Bradley looks at the shift towards strength training in gyms and advises on how operators can create the ultimate training environment
HCM promotional features
Sponsored
EGYM has opened a new HQ in Paternoster Square, London and revealed a range of new launches
HCM promotional features
Sponsored
Pulse Fitness has created a new health club delivering an elevated wellness experience
HCM promotional features
Promotion
Performance Health Systems, manufacturer of Power Plate, has a new CEO, with an ambitious vision for the company
HCM promotional features
HCM magazine
As the entrepreneur who started Wexer, Fresh Fitness, Fitness DK and Repeat, as well as being a former elite athlete, Rasmus Ingerslev’s life looked perfect from the outside, but onthe inside it was a different story. He talks to Kath Hudson about healing old wounds
HCM magazine
I experienced a blissful feeling of joy I hadn’t felt since I was a kid
HCM magazine
For every member with a tripod and a big following, there are others irritated at the way equipment is being hogged or wary they’ll be in the background on someone’s Insta feed. Do influencers offer valuable, free marketing or are they just a nuisance? Kath Hudson finds out how operators are responding
HCM magazine
Raphael Cuomo explores the powerful link between addiction, health and behaviour change
HCM magazine
If the health service is to survive, we must recognise that it is a disease service – and that wellbeing rests with us, says the activity advocate and healthy ageing champion. He talks to Kate Cracknell
HCM magazine
Small improvements to sleep, diet and physical activity have major benefits for the heart, according to new research from the University of Sydney
HCM magazine
Collaborations with the medical profession and greater aspirations around wellbeing are creating a need for more experts in our sector. It’s time to reboot our thinking around the workforce
HCM magazine
HCM People

Stephen Price

Founder, SP&Co Group
Working in public health over the last few years has lit up parts of my brain again
HCM magazine
Strength training is evolving, driven by changing consumer preferences. Julie Cramer talks to innovators about how their products are meeting this demand
HCM magazine
Consolidation, specialisation and shifting consumer behaviours are reshaping the sector, say Deloitte and EuropeActive
HCM magazine
With corporately-owned clubs, franchise networks, investments and proprietary tech, Viva Leisure’s ecosystem is redefining how gyms scale and generate revenue. Its CEO speaks to Kate Cracknell
HCM magazine
Opinion
promotion
Strength training has moved from the margins to the mainstream.
Opinion: Building smarter strength spaces for today’s operators
Featured supplier news
Featured supplier news: Reaching the people most gyms miss: Bedford Gym & Swim Campaign delivers 410 new members
One of the biggest mistakes the fitness industry still makes is advertising almost exclusively to people who already look and live like gym members.
Featured supplier news
Featured supplier news: Supporting long-term health: why whole body vibration belongs in clinical settings
As healthcare continues to shift towards prevention, there’s a growing focus on helping people stay active, independent and feeling good for longer.
Company profiles
Company profile: Innerva
Innerva are a UK manufacturer of ‘Power Assisted Exercise’ equipment for older adults, those with ...
Company profiles
Company profile: Power Plate
Power Plate's range of products include whole body vibration platforms, targeted vibration products and the ...
Supplier Showcases
Supplier Showcase - From nightclub to health club
Supplier Showcases
Supplier Showcase - Future-proofing
Catalogue Gallery
Click on a catalogue to view it online
Featured press releases
Create PT press release: Create sets a new standard with its new personal training diploma
Create's new Personal Training Diploma is built on the depth, real-client practice and coaching judgement that turn a qualification into genuine readiness - taught as one continuous course so that every skill is reinforced and applied, not cleared once and forgotten.
Featured press releases
Leisure Energy press release: Studley Leisure Centre solar panel installation project begins
Stratford-on-Avon District Council is delighted to announce a new solar panel installation project at Studley Leisure Centre, marking an important step towards improving the sustainability of this valued community facility.
Directory
Hot tubs
MSpa International Ltd: Hot tubs
Industrial washing machines
Miele Company Limited: Industrial washing machines
Lockers
Crown Sports Lockers: Lockers
Fitness tracking platform
SpiviTech: Fitness tracking platform
Water experiences and hydrotherapy solutions
Aquaform s.r.l.: Water experiences and hydrotherapy solutions
Spa and beauty equipment
Oakworks Inc: Spa and beauty equipment
Property & Tenders
Stratford, East London.
Lee Valley Regional Park Authority
Property & Tenders
Y Felinheli, LL56 4QN
Newmark
Property & Tenders
Diary dates
22-23 Jun 2026
WX Wakefield , Wakefield, United Kingdom
Diary dates
21-24 Sep 2026
The Langham Huntington Pasadena , Pasadena, United States
Diary dates
06-08 Oct 2026
Messe Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
Diary dates
22-22 Oct 2026
QEII Conference Centre, London,
Diary dates
26-29 Oct 2027
Koelnmesse Exhibition Centre, Cologne, Germany
Diary dates
Search news, features & products:
Find a supplier:
Partner sites