Hull City to face Lincoln City in behind-closed-doors friendly at Cottingham training ground

Hull City will play Lincoln City in a behind-closed-doors friendly at the Tigers' Cottingham training ground on Tuesday, according to HullLive. The Premier League new boys sit ninth in the top flight after seven games, while Lincoln are 18th in the Championship.

  • Date: Tuesday 20 October 2026 (per source publication date)
  • Opponent: Lincoln City
  • Venue: Hull City's Cottingham training ground
  • Type: Behind-closed-doors friendly
  • Hull City league position: 9th in the Premier League after seven games
  • Lincoln City league position: 18th in the Championship after 11 games

Team news

No starting line-ups have been confirmed for the behind-closed-doors game. The source states Lincoln City will look to give some players minutes against the Premier League new boys. Hull City's team selection is not disclosed.

What was said

No direct quotes are included in the source article.

The numbers

Hull City are positioned 9th in the Premier League after their first seven outings. They lost 1-0 at Fulham in their last game. Lincoln City sit 18th in the Championship after three wins from their first 11 outings, four points above the drop zone and five off the play-offs. The Imps drew 2-2 away at Millwall last time out, with Andrei Cubis and Rob Street getting their goals at The Den.

How to watch

The match is behind closed doors and no broadcast details have been announced.

Hull City's Premier League start and the value of a midweek run-out

Hull City's return to the Premier League has been steady rather than spectacular. The Tigers won the play-offs in May and sit ninth after seven games, a position that suggests they are coping with the step up. The 1-0 defeat at Fulham in their last outing was a reminder of the fine margins at this level, but the overall start has been encouraging for a side adjusting to life among the elite.

With no league fixture this weekend for Hull, the behind-closed-doors game against Lincoln offers a chance to give minutes to players who have been on the fringes. The source notes that Lincoln will look to give some players minutes, and the same logic applies to the Tigers. Friendly matches of this kind are often used to build match sharpness and test combinations away from the glare of competitive action.

Lincoln City's presence provides a useful test. The Imps were promoted from League One last season along with Cardiff City and Bolton Wanderers and have adapted reasonably well under management duo Tom Shaw and Chris Cohen. They lost ex-head coach Michael Skubala to Bristol City in the summer after storming to the third tier title. Sitting 18th in the Championship, they are four points above the drop zone and five off the play-offs, and they drew 2-2 at Millwall last time out. For Hull, it is a chance to face competitive opposition in a controlled environment.

Talking points

  • Fitness focus: Both sides are using the game to build up fitness, with Lincoln preparing for their Championship clash against Burnley at Sincil Bank on Saturday.
  • Hull's league position: The Tigers are ninth in the Premier League after seven games, having lost 1-0 at Fulham last time out.
  • Lincoln's adaptation: The Imps, promoted from League One last season, sit 18th in the Championship with three wins from 11 and drew 2-2 at Millwall in their last game.

What happens next

Lincoln City will face Burnley at Sincil Bank in the Championship on Saturday. Hull City's next fixture is not specified in the source article.

Frequently asked questions

When and where is the Hull City vs Lincoln City friendly?

The game will take place on Tuesday at Hull City's Cottingham training ground, behind closed doors, according to HullLive.

Why are Hull City playing Lincoln City?

Lincoln City will look to give some players minutes against the Premier League new boys as they build up fitness ahead of their Championship clash against Burnley on Saturday.

What are the two teams' current league positions?

Hull City are 9th in the Premier League after seven games, while Lincoln City are 18th in the Championship after 11 games.

Filed under: Club News | LA Premier League Home