More than 6,000 Lincoln City fans have already signed up for Gold Memberships ahead of the 2026/27 season, which is a sell-out. This is what is believed to be the first time in the club’s 142-year history. That figure also puts Gold Membership sales more than 1,700 subscriptions ahead of the same point last year.
Demand That’s Outgrowing the Ground
The LNER Stadium holds just over 10,000 supporters, and this season it has been pushed to the absolute limit. Home fixtures against Bolton, AFC Wimbledon, and Leyton Orient were all sold out. The same situation happened away from home as well, with the 1,698 allocation at Mansfield being sold out remarkably quickly.
On the open day of Gold Membership sales, 500 were quickly snapped up. Nearly 200 more than the first day last year. Within 24 hours, this number surpassed 600. With 52 points from 21 home matches, which is one of the best home records in EFL this season, fans are clearly getting value for their commitment.
What High Attendance Means for the Club
The increase in attendance at the LNER Stadium doesn’t just mean “more football fans”. More supporters are going through turnstiles, generating increased revenue from food, drink, and merchandise, and better sponsorship deals.
The grounds themselves already have good sponsorships. To name a few, Branston, Gen2energy, and of course, LNER. As they promote to the Champions League, get more TV coverage, and start getting more sold-out matches, there should be new opportunities.
Six Championship clubs, including Sheffield United, currently use gambling companies as their front-of-shirt sponsor. According to EFL chairman, Rick Parry, these sponsorships are worth up to £40 million annually to the EFL and its clubs. For a club like Lincoln, entering such a market with near-capacity crowds could make them an attractive choice for such advertisers.
There’s also a trend of football clubs being featured in themed entertainment products. Some platforms offering bingo slot games – Slingo titles that combine both slots and bingo – already list football-style titles, like Slingoooal!. A specific Slingo title for Lincoln City FC could help to generate revenue to get extra transfer funds and upgrade the stadium. Therefore, a lot could come if Imps continue to show their support in the 2026 season and beyond.
Building for What’s Next
With promotion in sight and attendance booming, the club is already preparing for next season.
Modernisation plans are in motion for the stadium, with developments in progress to add a new hospitality and event space behind the Rilmac stand, expand bar facilities, and upgrade the corporate areas.
The arrival of Ron Fowler and Liquid Investments has sparked even more excitement as well. They now control more than 25% of the club, which has added huge financial backing to their ambitions for the stadium and the club.
Everything that’s currently happening to Lincoln City – the potential promotion, more attention, better investment opportunities, improved sponsors, stadium modernisation, and so forth – suggests that the club has big plans for the future.
We believe it also. It all tells a story. Fans, investors, and advertisers all see potential in the club, which will be great momentum coming into the 2026/27 season.