London is painted in amber and black by Hull City supporters.

Hull City supporters have taken over parts of London ahead of Saturday’s Championship play-off final, with hundreds of fans travelling from across the UK and overseas to back the Tigers at Wembley.

The atmosphere in the capital has been building steadily as Hull City prepare to face Middlesbrough in one of the most important matches in the club’s recent history. The showdown comes after Southampton were dramatically expelled from the play-offs by the English Football League after admitting to spying on their semi-final opponents.

Hull City fans, including John Drinkall, have started arriving in London for the Championship play-off final

As excitement grows ahead of kick-off, one London pub near King’s Cross has become the centre of Hull City celebrations after undergoing a special transformation in tribute to the club’s former home, Boothferry Park.

The Dolphin Pub has temporarily been renamed the “Fer Ark”, reviving a famous nickname associated with Hull City’s old stadium.

The unusual nickname dates back to the later years of Boothferry Park, when parts of the lettering on the stadium sign began to fall away. Eventually, only the words “fer ark” remained visible, and supporters affectionately adopted the phrase as a humorous nickname for the ground.

Now, decades later, that piece of Hull City folklore has been brought back to life in the heart of London as fans gather ahead of the biggest game of the season.

The exterior of the pub has been decorated in amber and black colours, with banners and signage paying tribute to Hull City history. By Friday afternoon, supporters wearing club shirts and scarves had already packed the venue, creating a lively atmosphere just hours before the play-off final.

The idea for the temporary makeover came from lifelong Hull City supporter John Drinkall, who helped organise the transformation.

Speaking outside the rebranded pub, Drinkall explained how much the occasion means to supporters who have followed the club through difficult periods as well as memorable highs.

According to Drinkall, the event represents far more than just one football match.

He said the success of the club means everything to many supporters, especially those who have dedicated decades to following Hull City home and away.

Drinkall revealed that he and many other fans planned the weekend carefully so they could fully enjoy the occasion in London.

A London pub has been rebranded as a nod to Hull City’s old stadium Boothferry Park

Rather than travelling down on the day of the match, supporters arrived early to turn the play-off final into a full weekend celebration.

He explained that he and his group travelled to London on Friday and intended to stay until Sunday, embracing every moment of the occasion regardless of the result at Wembley.

Drinkall also reflected on his own history supporting Hull City, revealing that he attended his first match back in 1982.

His connection to the club stretches back more than four decades, although he admitted that his wife has supported the Tigers even longer than he has.

Despite all those years of following Hull City, Drinkall confessed that the significance of Saturday’s final has left him feeling especially nervous.

He believes Middlesbrough enter the match in a unique psychological position after being handed a second chance following Southampton’s expulsion from the competition.

Drinkall suggested that Middlesbrough now have little pressure on them because they had initially believed their play-off campaign was over following defeat in the semi-final.

That situation, he admitted, could make Boro particularly dangerous opponents in such a high-stakes match.

While many supporters travelled from Hull and East Yorkshire, others have journeyed from much farther away to support the Tigers at Wembley.

Among them is fan Danny Speck, who travelled all the way from Dubai specifically for the final.

Danny Speck has flown all the way from Dubai for the final

Standing outside the pub among fellow supporters, Speck explained that the trip involved a hectic schedule and considerable effort, but he had absolutely no doubts about making the journey.

He revealed that he used one day of annual leave to attend the match and began his trip from Dubai early in the morning.

Despite the exhausting travel arrangements, Speck insisted that the opportunity to watch Hull City in such an important fixture made every mile worthwhile.

He explained that he would arrive back in Dubai on Monday morning and head straight to work without even taking time to rest.

For him, the sacrifice was completely justified because he could not bear the thought of missing such a historic occasion if Hull City were to secure promotion.

Speck admitted that if the Tigers won promotion and he had stayed away, he would regret the decision forever.

The passion and dedication shown by supporters travelling from abroad highlights the emotional connection many fans still feel toward the club despite the challenges of recent years.

Another supporter enjoying the atmosphere in London was Julian Daniel, who has lived in the capital for decades while continuing to maintain strong ties with Hull City.

Daniel explained that although he has lived in London since 1981, he still considers Hull City home matches a major part of his life.

He currently holds a season ticket and regularly makes the long journey north to attend matches at the MKM Stadium.

According to Daniel, every home fixture effectively becomes a 250-mile round trip for him, yet he continues making the journey because of his lifelong commitment to the club.

His connection to Hull City also carries emotional significance because it links closely to memories of his father.

Daniel revealed that his father was a lifelong season ticket holder before his death, but even after losing him, he continued travelling to support the Tigers.

For supporters like Daniel, following Hull City is not simply about football results. It is also about family tradition, identity, and maintaining lifelong bonds with the club.

The excitement surrounding the final has extended far beyond England, with supporters travelling from countries across the world to attend the match.

Fans from places including Chicago and Toronto have also gathered at the Fer Ark pub, proudly representing Hull City on an international stage.

Their presence underlines the global reach of the club’s support and the significance of the Championship play-off final for Tigers fans everywhere.

Saturday’s match now carries even greater attention following the dramatic circumstances that led to Middlesbrough replacing Southampton in the final.

The controversy surrounding Southampton’s expulsion has dominated football headlines throughout the week, but Hull City supporters are determined to focus entirely on their team’s opportunity to return to the Premier League.

For many fans, the play-off final represents the chance to complete a remarkable season and restore the club to the top flight of English football.

As anticipation continues building across London, the streets around King’s Cross and Wembley are expected to fill with thousands more supporters dressed in Hull City’s famous amber and black colours.

The Championship play-off final will kick off at 3:30pm BST on Saturday, with extensive coverage available throughout the day.

Regardless of the outcome, Hull City supporters have already turned London into a sea of amber and black as they celebrate one of the club’s most important occasions in years.