By Hiyastar News Desk
Nottingham will host a Notts County promotion homecoming at Old Market Square on Tuesday 26 May 2026, with supporters invited to gather for a family-friendly city-centre celebration after the club’s Play Off Final win over Salford City at Wembley.
The event is due to start at 3pm, but fans are being asked not to arrive before 2pm so final preparations can be completed safely. Players and club officials are expected to appear on the Council House balcony with the trophy as the city marks County’s return to Sky Bet League One.
Old Market Square event details for supporters
The celebration will take place in Old Market Square, in the heart of Nottingham city centre, during the school half-term break. Nottingham City Council has framed the gathering as a family event, with large numbers of supporters likely to travel into the centre during the afternoon.
For anyone planning to attend, the confirmed details are:
- Date: Tuesday 26 May 2026
- Arrival guidance: supporters should arrive no earlier than 2pm
- Start time: 3pm
- Location: Old Market Square, Nottingham
- Main moment: Notts County players and club officials on the Council House balcony with the trophy
- Audience: supporters, families and city residents
No ticketing details or paid entry arrangements have been announced in the council notice, so supporters should treat the published timings and safety advice as the main guidance for planning their visit.
Alcohol, flares and smoke bombs banned from the square
Strict restrictions will be in place at Old Market Square. Nottingham City Council has said alcohol, flares, pyrotechnics and smoke bombs are not permitted at the event.
The restrictions are aimed at keeping the celebration suitable for families and manageable in a busy city-centre setting. Supporters travelling with children should also plan for crowds around the square and nearby transport stops, particularly shortly before the 3pm start.
Hot weather is also expected to continue on Tuesday. 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.
City-centre travel disruption expected between 2pm and 4.30pm
Road closures and diversions are expected because of the anticipated crowd size. Bus and tram services are also likely to face short disruption during the event window, with changes expected between 2pm and 4.30pm.
The council has warned that public transport services may be subject to short-notice changes. Supporters heading into Nottingham city centre should allow extra time, check their route before setting off and be prepared for altered stops or diversions around Old Market Square.
Drivers should also expect restrictions close to the square while the event is under way. The council notice does not list every affected road, so anyone needing step-free access, pick-up points or onward travel should plan with extra margin.
Promotion returns County to the third tier
The homecoming follows Notts County’s victory over Salford City in the Play Off Final at Wembley, securing promotion to Sky Bet League One. It means the club will re-enter English football’s third tier for the first time since 2015.
The promotion comes after a season in which County missed out on automatic promotion on the final day before securing the result at Wembley. That route gives Tuesday’s balcony appearance a particular local pull, with the club’s supporters now set to gather in the same civic space used for major city celebrations.
Cllr Neghat Khan, Leader of Nottingham City Council, congratulated Martin Paterson, the players and staff, the club’s owners and board, and supporters across the city.
“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 to check before travelling
Supporters planning to attend should check their journey on Tuesday afternoon and arrive within the requested window, after 2pm. The most practical items to bring are water, sun protection and enough time for city-centre delays.
The council has asked supporters to keep banned items away from Old Market Square and to expect transport changes while the celebration takes place between 2pm and 4.30pm.
Source: Nottingham City Council
Source check Source check
This article was prepared from Nottingham City Council’s public notice about the Notts County homecoming event.
- Checked the event date, start time and requested supporter arrival time against the counci...
- Matched the location to Old Market Square and the Council House balcony details.
- Included the stated restrictions on alcohol, flares, pyrotechnics and smoke bombs.
- Reflected the published travel disruption window of 2pm to 4.30pm.
- Source
- Nottingham City Council
- Scope
- Nottingham
- Updated
- 2026-05-25 17:52
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