New Lincoln City Stadium
In the late 2010s, Lincoln City were flirting with the idea of moving to a new stadium, however, due to structural issues and opposition from the local community, the club decided against it.
However, in November 2022, the club announced that they were set to redevelop the LNER Stadium at a cost of £1.8m. The Stacey West Stand is at the centre of the redevelopment and it will increase the capacity at the stadium to 11,500 thanks to the installation of state standing.
Additionally, a new community skills and education centre called the Lincoln City Foundation Skills & Education Hub is to be built while water and power supplies are being upgraded.
What is the LNER Stadium like?
On one side of the stadium is the large all-seater GBM Stand. This large single-tiered covered stand opened in 1995 and has a capacity of 5,700.
Opposite is the St Andrews Stand, a small old-looking covered stand (although in fact, it is comparatively modern being built in 1987). It is seated, but only runs half the length of the pitch, straddling the halfway line and hence there are gaps on either side. One gap has now been partly filled by a tiny covered Family Stand. Both ends are small covered affairs.
The Rilmac Stand is all seated and has a row of executive boxes running across the back. This stand has a couple of supporting pillars at the front.
The other end is the ‘Stacey West’ all seated, covered stand, for home supporters. It was named in memory of the two Lincoln supporters who lost their lives in the Bradford City Fire at Valley Parade in 1985.
Stacey West Stand expansion plans
The club have been granted planning permission to expand the capacity of the Stacey West Stand to 3,400. Currently, the capacity of this stand is 1,944 and this is normally split between home and away supporters. Rather than building an entirely new stand, the existing stand will be extended upwards and backward and will include new concourse areas for both home and away fans.
As of November 2023, the club are mid-construction on the expansion of this stand, with a new ‘Skills & Education Hub’ for the club’s Foundation beginning to take shape.
The steel frame of the extension to the existing Stacey West stand is now complete. It follows extensive groundworks, which have included a new mains water supply, increased power supply, and a state-of-the-art pitch irrigation recycling system.
The work will be completed in August 2024. As part of the work, a new 70,000 litre tank has been installed at the stadium. This will be filled with rainwater from the pitch and the roof, via the new irrigation system. The water will then be reused on the pitch. Recycling rainfall in this way will save the club thousands of pounds on its water bill as it relies less on mains supplies.
What is the LNER Stadium like for visiting supporters?
Away fans are normally located in the Rilmac Stand, however, if the following is large then they are moved to the Stacey West Stand.Both stands generally provide good views of the playing action, although the Stacey West Stand does have a couple of supporting pillars at the front of the stand that could affect your view.
Food offerings are standard and include burgers, pies and hot dogs while alcohol is served before kick-off and at half time.
Pubs for away fans at Lincoln City
There is a small fan zone located outside the stadium which is for both home and away supporters. In terms of pubs, here are three options near the LNER Stadium:
- Witch and Wardbrobe – 21 Waterside N, Lincoln LN2 5DQ
- William Foster – Guildhall St, Lincoln LN1 1TT
- The Dandy Lion – 3 Newland, Lincoln LN1 1UX
LNER Stadium history
Lincoln have been around since 1884 and all but one of those years has seen them play their home matches at the LNER Stadium. That one year was spent at John O’Gaunts, which was basic in the extreme. The Lner isn’t exactly elite level either but it was redeveloped just prior to the turn of the century.
Directions and car parking for Lincoln City stadium
Follow the A46 into Lincoln (which leads onto the High St) and the ground is indicated from there. If you follow the signs for ‘away coaches’ then this leads you onto the A158 South Park Avenue, where there is plenty of street parking to be found (although it is a ten-minute walk around to the ground). Otherwise, the signs lead you to the ground.
How to get to the LNER Stadium by train
Lincoln Central Railway Station is around a 15 minute walk away from the LNER Stadium. Turn ‘left out of the train station and walk up to the traffic lights next to St. Mary’s church. Turn left at these traffic lights onto the High Street, walking over the railway level crossing. Walk along the High Street (passing many good pubs) for approx 10 minutes before turning left into Scorer Street. Walk along Scorer Street until you come to a bridge across the Sincil Drain river. Turn right immediately after crossing the bridge onto Sincil Bank, the ground is straight ahead.
Alternatively, there is a shorter route (but you miss those fine pubs!): Come out of the station and turn right to go down the road. About 30 yards ahead on your right you will see some steps and a bridge over the railway. Go over the bridge and once on the other side follow the road down to the ground.
Whoare Lincoln City's rivals?
Lincoln vs Grimsby rivalry: Lincoln and Grimsby are separated by just 40 miles and, with just three professional clubs in the county, it was inevitable that their games would take on a fair amount of heat.
Lincoln vs Sc*nthorpe rivalry: This derby match is much like Lincoln vs Grimsby with Sc*nthorpe the third professional team in Lincolnshire. They two are actually closer together at 34 miles. Neither of the rivalries are more or less significant than the other.
Disabled facilities at Sincil Bank
For details of disabled facilities and club contact at the ground please visit the relevant page on the excellent Level Playing Field website.
Record attendances at Lincoln City
Record Attendance
23,196 v Derby County
League Cup 4th Round, 15 November 1967.
Modern All Seated Attendance Record
10,264 v Sunderland
League One, 5 October 2019.
Lincoln City website links
Official Web Site:
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