Fans to get a peek behind the scenes at arena

Football and music fans can take a peek behind the scenes as an arena stages its first access-all-areas tour this weekend.

Ticket holders will see parts of Coventry Building Society Arena usually off-limits to visitors, including the first-team dressing room and players' tunnel.

They will also meet and get to ask questions of unconfirmed "special guests" and "former players", said catering and experience director Mark O'Shea.

"We want to show off our venue, we're really proud of it," he added.

Ticketholders will learn more about the legacy of Jimmy Hill, whose statue stands outside the Coventry Building Society Arena

Ticketholders will be guided on walks around the pitch and dug-outs

The 32,000 seat stadium, home to Coventry City, has also hosted scores of gigs, including Harry Styles, Coldplay and The Rolling Stones.

During a tour preview for the BBC, Mr O'Shea showcased the newly refurbished home dressing room of the Sky Blues, complete with mood lighting and players' photos over their designated seats.

The away team dressing room was a lot smaller, he revealed, adding: "We try and make it as uncomfortable as possible for them."

Mood lighting in the first-team dressing room can turn the room sky blue

Guests will also be taken through the players' tunnel to get a view from the pitch and see the heated players' seats in the home dugout.

"In the winter we’ll turn them on so they have nice warm bottoms," Mr O'Shea said.

They will also visit to the press room where Sky Blues manager Mark Robins gives post-match press conferences, to ask questions of the surprise guests.

"We don't really want to announce who they are just yet," Mr O'Shea said, adding people could expect "former players".

"We want some fun questions," he said.

The tour will also cover the heritage of the club and stadium, and include a visit to the iconic statue of Jimmy Hill outside, who was in charge from 1961 to 1967.

Visitor will be taken to the press room to interrogate "special guests"

Tickets are available for £10 for Saturday at 10:00 and 12:30 BST, with a second date on 15 August and new dates to be announced during the school holidays.