Summary

  1. In pictures: Fans show some love for Lampardpublished at 14:39 BST

    Coventry City fansImage source, PA Media
    Coventry City fansImage source, PA Media
    Coventry City fansImage source, PA Media
    Coventry City fansImage source, PA Media
    Coventry City fansImage source, PA Media
  2. The congratulations keep comingpublished at 14:28 BST

    We're yet to find out if this will play a part in the victory parade.. but the staff at CV Life, which runs the Transport Museum, have posted this message of congratulations.

    This double-decker was adorned in Sky Blues colours to celebrate the squad's 1987 FA Cup victory as they paraded through the city streets..

    The bus used to celebrate the team's 1987 FA Cup victoryImage source, CV Life
  3. Here's how the city will celebratepublished at 14:08 BST

    A city-wide celebration will mark the club's return to the Premier League, it said.

    They're dusting off the bus for a parade and music festival in the Memorial Park for up to 50,000, on 4 May from 13:00.

    CCFC promotion flagsImage source, BBC/Alec Blackman

    "Our players and management will lead an open-top bus parade through the streets of Coventry, bringing the celebrations direct to within the heart of our community," the club said.

    The parade will begin at Coventry Building Society Arena before traveling through Holbrooks, Whitmore Park, Keresley, Coundon and Chapelfields, with the parade ending at Hearsall Common.

  4. Listen back: Sky Blues Livepublished at 13:53 BST

    This is how fans reacted on BBC CWR to last night's promotion-winning draw at Ewood Park.

    Media caption,

    Reports, reaction and the phone-in following today's action. Call 0800 75 65 200.

  5. 'Destination Premier League'published at 13:31 BST

    William Oelrich

    "The next train to depart from platform four is the 2026 Coventry to Premier League service."

    Avanti West Coast are getting in on the action, with Sky Blues themed-announcements at the city's railway station.

    Media caption,

    Avanti West Coast congratulates the Sky Blues

    Steve Haskins from the company said the team's feat was "monumental for all of us as as city and collectively as a community".

    "It’s just been absolutely amazing, something I never thought I was going to see in my lifetime again," he said.

    "This is a party all the way through. It’s just going to be the best time to be alive in Cov isn’t it. If you’re a city fan you’re just never going to repeat that ever again."

    Digital traffic boards are also signposting the promotion.

    Media caption,

    Signs of promotion across the city

  6. Buses get on board with the celebrationspublished at 13:07 BST

    All 130-odd city buses, operated by National Express, are celebrating the team's success, the company said.

    National Express busImage source, Alec Blackman/BBC

    Spokesman Adam Rideout said bus destination signs would all read: "Congratulations Sky Blues.

    "We tested it and could fit Coventry City on," he explained.

    it was right for the company to celebrate, he said, "we're a local bus operator, and everyone that uses our services support the Sky blues.. so massive congratulations to them."

  7. Listen back: 'A special goal for a great occasion'published at 12:40 BST

    Bobby Thomas gives his reaction to THAT goal.

    Bobby ThomasImage source, PA Media
    Media caption,

    Coventry City defender Bobby Thomas after the club secured Premier League promotion.

  8. The ups and downs of the Sky Bluespublished at 12:27 BST

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  9. Watch: 'I never thought I'd see it in my lifetime'published at 12:16 BST

    Mike Bushell

    Media caption,

    Coventry City fans celebrate in Blackburn

  10. PUSB iced buns selling like hot cakespublished at 11:55 BST

    Over at Stoke Bakery, Gemma Glover says their "Play Up Sky Blues" treats have been selling - well - like hot cakes.

    Coventry City cakesImage source, Gemma Glover

    "As soon as we're putting them on the shelves, that's it they're gone," she said.

    She reckons the Sky Blue bounce has increased business ten-fold.

  11. Listen back: 'I'm so proud' - Doug Kingpublished at 11:36 BST

    Doug King took on sole ownership of the club in January 2023.

    He accepted his decision to part company with Mark Robins, who had led the Sky Blues to two promotions, the Championship play-off final and an FA Cup semi-final during his time in charge, had not been popular.

    But it had to be done because "we felt we needed a change of direction", King said.

    Lampard has vindicated that call and could now secure Coventry's first title since winning the old second division in 1967.

    King, who said being called a Premier League team felt "surreal", added that the club had brought the city together.

    Media caption,

    Coventry City owner Doug King on securing promotion back to the Premier League.

  12. In pictures: Team celebrates promotionpublished at 11:13 BST

    Lampard said he would allow the players to enjoy securing promotion, but then turn their attentions to winning the title.

    And celebrate they did.

    "The players can have a couple of beers on the way home, but they've got to get the job done now," Lampard added.

    Bobby ThomasImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    Bobby Thomas sent the Sky Blues to the Premier League

    Brandon Thomas-AsanteImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    Brandon Thomas-Asante celebrates promotion to the Premier League

    Josh EcclesImage source, PA Media
    Coventry CityImage source, PA Media

    Check out some more images from the night on our Instagram page. , external

  13. Watch: How the city celebratedpublished at 10:52 BST

    Here's how that goal by Bobby Thomas went down at Coventry's hmv Empire

    Media caption,

    Coventry City fans celebrate the Bobby Thomas goal

  14. 'One of the richest prizes in sport'published at 10:34 BST

    Vanessa Pearce
    BBC News

    The biggest names in English football now await Coventry City next season - along with the riches that come with playing in the Premier League.

    The financial boost to clubs being promoted is "staggering" in comparison to incomes received in the Championship, according to Coventry University’s football finance expert Dr Tom Bason.

    Coventry CityImage source, PA Media

    "It will mean a huge amount, it's one of the richest prizes in sport," said the assistant professor.

    "Roughly thought to be worth £170m.

    "The biggest change to the club financially is it will get to access the Premier league's broadcasting deal," said Bason.

    "Straight away they'll be guaranteed £100m, or so, from TV broadcasting deals, and then they'll be looking to also make more money on commercial deals, getting new sponsors, selling more merchandise and, I'd have thought, to a certain extent, match day sales, trying to sell more tickets and perhaps for a little bit more than they currently do."

  15. 'Overwhelmed by what this means' - Lampardpublished at 10:20 BST

    Frank Lampard raises both arms in celebration at Ewood Park after his side's victoryImage source, PA Media

    Coventry City boss Frank Lampard described his side's promotion back to the Premier League after 25 years away as a "unique" achievement."To go and get promotion automatically, as a non-parachute [payment] team with three games to go... these boys have managed to achieve something special and unique."

    Media caption,

    Coventry City head coach Frank Lampard after the club's promotion to the Premier League.

  16. How Coventry earned Premier League returnpublished at 10:01 BST

    Nick Mashiter
    BBC Sport football news reporter

    After 25 years, Coventry are back in the Premier League.

    It has been 9,114 days since they were relegated - by a 3-2 defeat at Aston Villa on 5 May 2001 - with the Sky Blues then tumbling to the brink.

    At Ewood Park on Friday, Bobby Thomas equalised six minutes from time to secure Coventry City's return to the Premier League after 25 years and begin their promotion party.

    Coventry CityImage source, PA Media

    Thomas wrote his name in Sky Blues history as he headed home in front of the away fans to send them wild at Ewood Park.

    The Coventry fans sang the 25-year-old defender's name and after the club's journey all the way down to League Two, Frank Lampard has led them back to the top flight.

  17. Join us in celebrating the Sky Blues' promotionpublished at 09:29 BST

    Vanessa Pearce
    BBC News

    Good morning from Coventry.

    Let me just confirm you are not dreaming - the Sky Blues have finally done it and returned to the Premier League, 25 years after they were relegated from the top flight.

    Blackburn manager Michael O'Neill said his side would try to spoil Coventry City's promotion party at Ewood Park last night.. but they didn't manage to put the dampers on it.

    Join us as we celebrate your celebrations in Coventry, Warwickshire and around the world and all breathe a Sky Blue sigh of relief.