Manchester's new Co-op Live arena to host MTV's Europe Music Awards

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Harry Styles on stageImage source, Reuters
Image caption,

Harry Styles is among the new arena's backers

Manchester's new arena has been chosen as the venue for this year's MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs).

The 23,500-capacity Co-op Live will be the UK's largest indoor entertainment venue when it opens in April.

Harry Styles, who grew up 30 miles away, is among the investors in the arena and advised on aspects of its design.

Some of the world's biggest music stars will appear there when the MTV awards ceremony takes place on 10 November.

The MTV show has not been held in Manchester before, and has not been staged in the UK for seven years.

Image source, Co-op Live
Image caption,

Co-op Live is located near Manchester City's football stadium

"With music at the very heart of Manchester's rich creative heritage, this vibrant city - with the state-of-the-art Co-op Live - will guarantee a supercharged 2024 show," said Bruce Gillmer of MTV's parent company Paramount.

Manchester City Council leader Bev Craig said the event would "deliver a huge boost for our local economy and result in significant commercial and wider benefits for the city".

She added: "With the expertise, experience and reputation we also have for delivering successful, world-class events, we're confident Manchester will provide a superb platform."

Co-op Live will open with two shows by comedian Peter Kay, and will be a rival to Manchester's existing 21,000-capacity AO Arena.

Last year's EMAs show was due to take place in October in Paris but was cancelled following the "devastating events in Israel and Gaza".