Thousands of people flocked to Lincoln over the weekend as the city celebrated two major events that brought a huge boost to the local economy and created an unforgettable atmosphere across the city centre.
More than 35,000 supporters lined the streets on Saturday, 9 May, for the Lincoln City FC parade, celebrating the Imps’ promotion to the Championship.
Fans packed the 7km open-top bus route through the city, creating a sea of red and white as they cheered and chanted as the players passed by. Supporters from across the country came together to mark the club’s historic achievement.
The event was made possible through City of Lincoln Council working in partnership with Lincoln City Football Club, and a range of organisations across the city and county, including Lincolnshire Police, East Midlands Railway, Northern Rail, Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue, Lincolnshire County Council, East Midlands Ambulance Service, Lincoln Cathedral and many more.
To ensure the event was delivered safely and successfully, the council coordinated a citywide operation, deploying almost 200 stewards and installing 7km of barriers along the parade route to help manage crowd control and protect public safety throughout the day. Nearly 100 road closures were also managed on a rolling basis as the buses travelled along the route.
The celebrations continued throughout the weekend with the return of the world-famous Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix, which once again attracted thousands of visitors, cycling enthusiasts and competitors to Lincoln.
The 2026 event marked the 70th edition of the race, one of the oldest and most prestigious fixtures in the UK cycling calendar.
Around 300 professional cyclists competed in Sunday’s main races, while approximately 800 amateur riders took part in Saturday’s Lincoln GP Sportive across routes through the Lincolnshire Wolds and the city’s iconic cobbled climbs.
Crowds gathered across the Cathedral Quarter and along Michaelgate throughout the weekend to watch riders tackle the challenging course.
Local businesses, restaurants, bars and shops also benefited from the influx of visitors, with many high street businesses reporting increased footfall and profits over the course of the weekend.