Nottingham to host Notts County promotion party

By Munisha Newsroom
Published: 25 May 2026

Nottingham will mark Notts County’s promotion to Sky Bet League One with a city-centre homecoming celebration at Old Market Square on Tuesday 26 May.

The event is due to start at 3pm, with players and club officials expected to appear on the Council House balcony with the Play Off Final trophy after the club’s Wembley win over Salford City.

Supporters have been asked not to arrive before 2pm so organisers have time to prepare the square for the Notts County celebration. Nottingham City Council says the event is intended as a family event during the school half-term break.

Tuesday celebration at Old Market Square

The homecoming will take place in Old Market Square, one of Nottingham’s main civic gathering spaces and the traditional setting for large public celebrations.

Key details for supporters:

• Date: Tuesday 26 May 2026
• Start time: 3pm
• Arrival advice: Do not arrive before 2pm
• Location: Old Market Square, Nottingham
• Main moment: Notts County players and officials on the Council House balcony
• Event type: Free public celebration in the square
• Audience: Supporters, families and city residents

The council has not announced any ticketing requirement in the event notice. Fans should treat the square as a busy public space and expect crowd-management measures around the city centre.

No alcohol, flares or smoke bombs allowed

Supporters attending the celebration have been told that alcohol, flares, pyrotechnics and smoke bombs are not permitted in Old Market Square.

The restriction matters because the event is being planned as a family-friendly gathering, with children likely to attend during half term. Anyone heading into the city centre should also expect bag checks or stewarding instructions if organisers need to manage crowd safety on the day.

Hot weather is also part of the planning. Attendees are being encouraged to wear hats and sunscreen and to bring water bottles. A free drinking water point will be available at the event.

For families, the practical advice is simple: arrive after 2pm, bring water, plan shade where possible and avoid carrying items that could slow entry or be refused by stewards.

Buses and trams may change between 2pm and 4.30pm

Large crowds are expected, and some road closures and diversions will be put in place around the celebration.

Bus and tram services are expected to be disrupted for a short period during the event, particularly between 2pm and 4.30pm. Services may also be subject to short-notice changes, so anyone travelling through the city centre should allow extra time.

That applies not only to Notts County fans, but also to shoppers, workers and anyone using public transport through central Nottingham on Tuesday afternoon.

Drivers should expect delays around the Old Market Square area and nearby routes. The council notice does not list individual road closures, so the safest approach is to avoid non-essential city-centre driving while the celebration is under way.

Promotion returns Notts County to the third tier

Notts County secured promotion after beating Salford City in the Play Off Final at Wembley. The result sends the club into Sky Bet League One, English football’s third tier, for the first time since 2015.

The promotion followed a tense end to the season after County missed out on automatic promotion on the final day. The play-off route has now delivered a city-centre celebration for a club with deep roots in Nottingham’s sporting identity.

Cllr Neghat Khan, Leader of Nottingham City Council, congratulated head coach Martin Paterson, the players and staff, the club’s owners and board, and the supporters.

“It’s fantastic that Notts County have secured promotion and re-entered English football’s third tier for the first time since 2015,” she said.

What supporters should check before leaving

Anyone heading to Old Market Square should check their route before setting off, especially if travelling by bus or tram during the 2pm to 4.30pm window.

The main public advice from organisers is to arrive no earlier than 2pm, follow stewarding instructions, avoid banned items and prepare for continued hot weather.

Cllr Khan said she was looking forward to attending Tuesday’s event and hoped Notts County supporters, families and city residents would be able to join the celebration.

Source: Nottingham City Council

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Source check Source trail

This article is based on Nottingham City Council's event notice and keeps the practical timings, restrictions and travel warning visible for readers.

Checks

• Matched the event date, start time and Old Market Square location from the council notice.
• Checked the listed supporter restrictions on alcohol, flares, pyrotechnics and smoke bombs...
• Included the hot-weather advice and free drinking water point mentioned in the notice.
• Kept transport disruption to the stated 2pm to 4.30pm window.

Nottingham City Council Check wider coverage

Source

Nottingham City Council

Scope

Nottingham

Updated

2026-05-27 19:35

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Article contextPeople & topics2#7

Neghat KhanMartin Paterson

#Nottingham#Notts County#Old Market Square#Play Off Final#Salford City#Sky Bet League One#Wembley

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