🕛 Countdown in Lincoln 2027
🎤 Presented by Ben Wilson
📅 Saturday, 30th January (main event)
📅 Sunday, 31st January ("hangover" event)
For the 22nd time, Countdown in Lincoln (dubbed COLIN) is kicking off the co-event calendar with the traditional double-header in Hykeham at the end of January. Happy as always to give people a thing to look forward to at the end of the cold first month of the year, especially if you particularly look forward to cramming yourself into a church hall with a couple dozen other letters and numbers enthusiasts.
As in many previous years, COLIN will be a double event, with the main event taking place on the Saturday, and a smaller "hangover" event following on the Sunday. It is not obligatory to play in both events, although there is a discount to the overall entry fee if you do.
Timings
Main event (Sat)
| Doors open | 10:30 |
| First round draw | 11:30* |
| Round 1 | 11:30–12:45 |
| Lunch | 12:45–13:45 |
| Round 2 | 13:45–15:00 |
| Round 3 | 15:00–16:15 |
| Grand final | 16:15–16:45 |
| Prizegiving | 16:45–17:00 |
"Hangover" event (Sun)
| Doors open | 10:00 |
| First round draw | 10:45* |
| Round 1 | 10:45–12:00 |
| Round 2 | 12:00–13:15 |
| Grand final | 13:15–13:45 |
| Prizegiving | 13:45–14:00 |
*Please be aware that if you are late, you will be "Pruned" for each game that has already started at the time of your arrival.
Event style
Both events will be carried out in the "Lincoln" style. This comprises tables of three, at which there are two players and one host. You will rotate with those on your table, hosting one game and playing two in each round.
ℹ️ How the "Lincoln" style works.
Gameplay overview
At Saturday's main event you'll be playing six 9-round games, thereby hosting three, across three rounds. There will be a random draw ahead of the first round to determine the fixtures. For the following rounds, the "Swiss" system will be used, whereby you will be matched with the two players closest to you in the standings.
ℹ️ How different fixture systems work.
🏆 Once the heat games have concluded and the scores have been collected, the two top-performing players will come head-to-head in the grand final.
🏅 Prizes will be on offer for players of all abilities.
At Sunday's "hangover" event, you'll be playing four 9-round games, thereby hosting two, across two rounds. There will be a random draw ahead of the first round to determine the fixtures. For the following rounds, the "Swiss" system will be used, whereby you will be matched with the two players closest to you in the standings.
ℹ️ How different fixture systems work.
🏆 Once the heat games have concluded and the scores have been collected, the two top-performing players will come head-to-head in the grand final.
🏅 Prizes will be on offer for players of all abilities.
Venues
The Ark
🏠 Location: 141 Moor Ln, North Hykeham, Lincoln, LN6 9AA
🧭 Getting to the venue: The venue is located 1 mile southwest of Hykeham rail station. It's a 22-minute walk according to Google Maps. If you're travelling from Lincoln, Stagecoach East Midlands' 15 and 16 buses to North Hykeham will take you to the Social Club stop, located just outside the venue.
🅿️ Car parking: For anyone driving in, the venue has a number of free parking spaces.
♿️ Accessibility: The venue has wheelchair access.
North Hykeham Memorial Hall
🏠 Location: 317 Newark Rd, North Hykeham, Lincoln, LN6 9RY
🧭 Getting to the venue: The venue is located 0.7 miles southwest of Hykeham rail station. It's a 15-minute walk according to Google Maps. If you're travelling from Lincoln, Stagecoach East Midlands' 16 to North Hykeham will take you to the Station Road stop, located a few minutes' walk from the venue. To get back into Lincoln from the venue, you can catch the 16 from the Oak Farm Paddock stop, located further down Newark Rd.
🅿️ Car parking: For anyone driving in, the venue has a number of free parking spaces.
♿️ Accessibility: The venue has wheelchair access.
Admission
There are different admission fee options for the two events, which can be found in the table below. Clicking the relevant amount will link to Ben's PayPal account, which is the preferred payment method.
❗︎IMPORTANT: When paying by PayPal, please remember to select the Friends and Family payment type. Selecting Goods and Services will add unnecessary Buyer Protection fees, meaning the organiser will not receive the full entry fee.
If you can't pay via PayPal, you can email ben.wilson@focalcountdown.com for an alternative payment method to be arranged.
Until payment is received in full, your entry will not be confirmed and your place will not be guaranteed.
Lunch and refreshments
As with most co-events now, lunch will not be provided. For the Saturday, The Ark is close to a fish and chip shop, a Cooplands, and a Co-op. For the Sunday, the Memorial Hall is within walking distance of a SPAR and a Subway. Refreshments will be provided at both events.
Evening plans
For a number of years now, the traditional Friday night get-together for COLIN attendees has been at the Fox and Hounds. It's undergone several changes in management in recent years, but feedback from 2026's attendees suggests it's improved. Recently, we've spent time at Hykeham PFA Sports & Social Club, located behind the Memorial Hall where we hold the Sunday "hangover" event.
Accommodation
For past COLIN events, the go-to option has been the Travelodge Lincoln Thorpe-on-the-Hill, located off the Middle Ln exit of Hykeham Roundabout. The prices are usually cheap, and the hotel has free guest parking. Please note: there is no pedestrian access around the roundabout, therefore a taxi is advisable to get to and from the hotel if you're not driving.
Other options in the North Hykeham include the Best Western Plus Bentley Hotel, as well as a number of B&Bs.
Why come?
As the longest-running co-event, COLIN has become something of an annual pilgrimage for many in the Countdown community. Among the most stalwart members in attendance every year, there's an ever-growing fresh crop of new players, with something here for diehard Countdowners and casual social players alike. Come along and make a weekend of it: you won't regret it.
👤 Attending or organising a FOCAL event is subject to the FOCAL Code of Conduct.
📧 Questions about this event? Contact us at hello@focalcountdown.com, or email Ben at ben.wilson@focalcountdown.com
⚠️ FOCAL is a non-profit organisation led by volunteers and fans of Countdown. Each of our tournaments are non-official. We have no affiliation with or endorsement from ITV, Channel 4, or any other relevant entity. No copyright infringement is intended through the promotion and running of our tournaments. No gambling takes place at any of our events, and cash prizes are never offered.