Thousands of fans cheer Coventry City's open-top bus parade after return to the Premier League

Thousands of Coventry City fans have turned out to celebrate the club's return to the Premier League.

City, one of the founding clubs of the world's most watched and wealthiest league, have been out of English football's top division since 2001, sinking as low as League Two.

The players were joined by head coach Frank Lampard and owner Doug King for Monday afternoon's open-top bus victory parade through the West Midlands city.

Lampard, the former Chelsea and England star, appointed in November 2024, guided the team to the Championship title, finishing 11 points ahead of Ipswich in second place, in his first full season in charge.

No official attendance was revealed, but fans lined the route, cheering the bus after it set out from the Coventry Building Society Arena at 1pm, making its way to Hearsall Common, before celebrations continued with a concert at the nearby War Memorial Park.

'We Are Back' was the theme of the parade, painted on the front of the vehicle, reflecting the joy and relief felt by supporters as the club sealed its return to the football's promised land after 25 years away.

Winning promotion to the Premier League is worth at least £140m-£170m over three seasons, according to football finance experts, Deloitte's, mostly driven by enhanced broadcast rights and parachute payments.

It can rise to more than £300m if the club avoids immediate relegation.

Smoke, the same sky blue colour as the team's home kit, swirled along the route while supporters chanted, cheered and twirled scarves and the squad took turns to lift the Championship trophy.

Various players, as well as Lampard and King appeared on stage at the We Are Back: Live music festival, headlined by The Enemy, who were formed in Coventry.

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City fans sing their song We'll Live And Die In These Towns at every home game.

They were supported by Sky Blues fan, singer Tom Grennan.

(c) Sky News 2026: Thousands of fans cheer Coventry City's open-top bus parade after return to the Premier League