Utilita Arena Sheffield to get new operator from 2025

Utilita Arena Sheffield will be run by ASM Global from January 2025

A new operator has been announced for a major events and concert venue in Sheffield.

ASM Global was selected as the successful bidder to operate Utilita Arena Sheffield from January 2025, Sheffield City Council confirmed.

Under the new management, the arena would see "significant investment", including improvements to the concourse, and food and drink services.

The council said the news was "a major step forward" for the city.

The arena is currently run by Sheffield City Trust, formerly known as Sheffield International Venues.

The charitable trust is due to hand all of the city's major leisure and sporting facilities back to the council this summer following years of major financial difficulties.

Under the new operator, improvements planned at the Utilita Arena will include upgrades to the kitchen and the refurbishment of existing bars.

The work would be jointly funded by Sheffield City Council and ASM Global, the local authority said.

The arena is home to ice hockey team the Sheffield Steelers, and recently hosted the Mobo Awards, as well as the BBC's relaunched Gladiators series.

This year it will welcome artists such as Peter Kay and Liam Gallagher.

The Sugababes performed at the Mobo Awards in Sheffield

Councillor Richard Williams, chair of the communities, parks and leisure committee, said: "ASM Global have an unrivalled reputation in the global venue industry and this new investment will certainly allow us to compete on a global scale."

Utilita Arena Sheffield joins ASM Global's network of more than 350 venues, including First Direct Arena in Leeds and York Barbican.

Chris Bray, president of ASM Global Europe, said the company wanted to ensure Utilita Arena Sheffield was a "must-play" for world-class artists.

He said: "We have exciting plans for reimagining the customer experience too and are looking forward to getting better acquainted with the city very soon."

Tony Smith, Managing Director of the Sheffield Steelers, said the team was looking forward to working with ASM Global and improving existing facilities.

In 2023, Sheffield City Council revealed that the city's leisure and entertainment venues were set to receive £117m of investment.

Next steps for the projects include finalising tenders for the City Hall and leisure services.