William Oelrich

A number of celebration parties are under way in the city.

Martin and Sue Osbourne have joined other fans at the hmv Empire.

Promotion "means everything," said Martin.

"It's great seeing all the kids wearing City tops as well," he added.

"We're nearly there with winning the title," Sue added.

"We only need a couple of more points to win the Championship, but we'll do it."

"I'm just happy with the P next to our name, that will do me, I'm happy" added season ticket-holder Martin.

"I'm a Cov fan through and through since '77."

Richard O'Sullivan, of Farmhouse Butchers in the city market, said he has perfected his recipe for sky blue sausages and they have been flying off the shelves.

"We've got quite a few customers that come in who support Coventry City," he said.

"A few lads are always in early on a Saturday morning before they go to the games.

"It's a good buzz in here," he added.

Shortly after the final whistle was blown on Friday the city of Coventry turned a shade of sky blue including the Whittle Arches, water features and University Hospital.

Image source, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire

"It's huge for Coventry City football club, It's huge for football fans, but for Coventry itself as a city, this has been massive," said Lord Mayor Rachel Lancaster.

Clubs, pubs and community centres had "come together to celebrate," she said, "and all of that euphoria overflows and makes a massive difference" to the city.

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A council meeting is to be called recommending the Sky Blues are given the freedom of the city.

"It would be richly deserved, based on the amazing contribution to the city this season,” said leader George Duggins.

“Coventry is immensely proud of our football club, and the Sky Blues’ return to the Premier League is a moment of huge significance for our city.

“This achievement belongs not only to the team and everyone at the club, but to the supporters and communities who have always stood behind them with such passion. It is a great time to be a Coventry City fan and for the city.

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..

Image source, CV Life

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.

Image 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.

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

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.

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.

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

Image 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."

Bobby Thomas gives his reaction to THAT goal.

Image source, PA Media

Mike Bushell

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

Image 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.

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.

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.

Image source, PA Media

Image source, PA Media

Image source, PA Media

Image source, PA Media

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

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

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.

Image 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."