Your guide to Coventry City's end-of-season party

Susie RackWest Midlands
News imagePA Media Coventry City's captain Matt Grimes and his team mates lift the Sky Bet Championship trophy during the trophy presentation following the Sky Bet Championship match at the Coventry Building Society Arena, Coventry. Ten players can be seen cheering as the captain, centre, raises the cup, with another holding a bottle of champagne.PA Media
The Sky Blues have been in party mood since they lifted the Championship trophy

The streets of Coventry will turn Sky Blue this Bank Holiday Monday as the city's footballers celebrate their return to the Premier League with an open-top bus parade and music festival.

Huge crowds are expected for Coventry City's We Are Back: Live celebration on the day, hoping to glimpse their footballing heroes or watch musicians perform in a Sky Blues shirt.

As owner Doug King said: "Days like this are what football is all about."

Why the Sky Blue celebrations?

Fans have already been partying for weeks after the club's return to top flight football was confirmed after 25 years in the lower leagues.

The Sky Blues finally lifted the Championship trophy in front of a home crowd on 26 April.

Manager Frank Lampard told BBC CWR the club's "incredible fanbase" had "suffered a lot" in the years before that moment.

"The celebrations at the end, lifting the cup, families on the pitch—that's what football is all about," he said.

We Are Back: Live aims to bring the whole city together, promising an "unforgettable" end-of-season knees-up, the club says.

Where will the open-top parade bus go?

The parade route from Holbrooks to Hearsall Common has been designed to reach deep into the heart of its community, the club says, passing areas full of passionate supporters.

"Whether you're watching from your doorstep, your local, or lining the streets with friends and family—this is your celebration," a spokesperson said.

The bus will run from 13:00 BST, with the following estimated timings:

  • Depart Coventry Building Society (CBS) Arena at 13:00, travelling south on Jimmy Hill Way
  • Holbrook Way and right on to Holbrook Lane (about 13:20)
  • Left onto Parkgate Road, then joining Beake Avenue (about 13:45)
  • Down Beake Avenue to Bruce Road to Wallace Road (about 14:05)
  • Norman Place Road then left on to Hollyfast Road (about 14:20) to Westhill Road
  • Down Barkers Butts Lane (about 14:30) and right on to Moseley Avenue
  • Cross Holyhead Road (about 14:45) to Four Pounds Avenue to Queensland Avenue (just before 15:00)
  • The parade will then conclude at Hearsall Common (about 15:05)

Supporters are reminded there is no parking or refreshments available at the CBS Arena, and that the buses will not stop at Hearsall Common, the spokesperson added.

At the end of the route, players and staff will then travel privately to the War Memorial Park to continue the party.

News imageCoventry City A map of an open top bus tour route from north to west Coventry, with the parade route marked in blue.Coventry City
Coventry City FC's open-top bus tour parade route for Bank Holiday Monday

What is happening at the War Memorial Park?

The club expects 50,000 fans to gather at the War Memorial Park near Earlsdon from 13:00 to 19:00 for a music line-up headlined by local band The Enemy.

A special performance from chart-topping Sky Blues supporter Tom Grennan has also been announced for 15:00.

With a 15:00 entry curfew for the event, the club has reminded fans planning to watch the parade as well as the festival, to go to the earlier parts of the bus' route.

On Friday, the club revealed the line-up complete with provisional start times on stage:

  • 14:00 Panjabi MC
  • 15:00 Tom Grennan
  • 16:00 Idlenoise
  • 17:00 The Enemy
  • 18:00 Extra time: Georgie Riot & DJ Bengeezee

Fans at the park will also be able to watch the whole bus parade through a live stream from the team bus and, on arrival at the park, the players will lift the trophy in front of fans, a spokesperson said.

The event was sold out late on Friday and those going were reminded to add digital tickets to their Apple or Google wallets before arriving - and to bring photo ID.

Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult over 21, Coventry City Council said on its website, with searches possible on entry.

Re-entry is not allowed for those who have left the event and a range of food and drink choices will be available at the park, organisers added.

News imagePA Media Coventry City head coach Frank Lampard holds up the Sky Bet Championship trophy following its presentation on the field after the final whistle following the Sky Bet Championship match at the Coventry Building Society Arena, Coventry. He has brown hair and is waring a navy short-sleeved top. He is smiling a he holds the trophy to his left. Blurred players can be seen on the pitch behind him, and supporters in the stands.PA Media
Sky Blues manager Frank Lampard paid tribute to the club's fans after their title win

What roads will shut on the day?

Coventry City said major routes into the city centre such as Jimmy Hill Way, Foleshill Road and Radford Road will remain open throughout the day.

The parade route itself will be subject to rolling closures and parking restrictions, but reopen to traffic once the procession has passed.

Pedestrians will be able to get to all parts of the route, and fans are advised to park in the city centre.

Routes around the War Memorial Park will also shut between 08:00 and 21:00.

News imageGetty Images Tom Grennan in the stands during the Sky Bet Championship match between Coventry City and Wrexham AFC at The Coventry Building Society Arena on 26 April. He holds up a blue sign with white writing saying We Are Back. He has his mouth open wide in joy and is wearing a denim jacket and shite t-shirt, with dark sunglasses, though his face is in shadow from the sign.Getty Images
Coventry City fan Tom Grennan will be performing at the War Memorial Park at 15:00 on Monday

Where can I park?

Coventry City Council said there would be no on-site parking at the War Memorial Park, except for blue badge holders.

Pick up and drop-off will be at the Grosvenor Road Car Park.

The following council-owned car parks, within a 15-minutes walk of the festival site, will be open for free on the day.

  • Bishop Street
  • Gosford Street
  • Grove Street
  • Lower Ford Street
  • New Union Street
  • Salt Lane
  • Spon Street
  • Whitefriars Street

There will also be park-and-ride services from the University of Warwick, with users advised to book their space in advance.

Stagecoach and National Express bus services also stop at the War Memorial Park.

News imageAn open top blue bus with Coventry City FA Cup Winners on the front and people standing on top in flags and wearing hats. The bus is moving through a city street. Crowds around the bus raise their arms and throw confetti.
Fans took to every conceivable vantage point to cheer the 1987 FA Cup winners along a bus parade through the city centre

What can I bring to the park?

Items including fireworks, smoke bombs, glass bottles, sound systems and drones are banned.

Supporters are advised they may be refused entry or asked to leave if they have any of the banned items in their possession.

One A4-sized bag is allowed and people can bring food but not camping chairs. Dogs will not be permitted, with those planning to go who have assistance dogs asked to contact the council in advance.

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