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ASM Global To Operate Utilita Arena Sheffield, UK
ASM Global has been appointed to operate Utilita Arena in Sheffield, England, as of January 2025.
The announcement follows a bid by Sheffield City Council, which announced major investment into the city’s leisure and entertainment venues, including improvements to Sheffield’s arena.
Utilita Arena is a 12,700-capacity venue, which first opened in 1991. Under its new management with ASM Global, the venue will see “significant investment into guest experience at every level, including hospitality and premium. There will also be improvements made around the venue to refresh the space for all to enjoy – with more detail to be announced in due course,” according to a press release.
Utilita Arena is the first UK arena to come to the market for tender in some time. It is home to Sheffield’s ice hockey team, the Steelers. In this young 2024, the building has already hosted the MOBO Awards, Peter Kay, Bill Bailey, Take That, Girls Aloud, Bryan Adams, Matchroom Boxing, Premier League Darts, Liam Gallagher, with more still to come.
By winning the bid, ASM Global expands its UK footprint, and “cements its position as a market leader through its selection as preferred bidder,” according to the press release.
The senior management team and all Utilita Arena staff will move to ASM Global.
See: ASM Global To ‘Elevate Fine Dining Offering’ At UK Venues
Chris Bray, president of ASM Global Europe, said, “Sheffield is a city with a rich cultural heritage. It’s known and loved for producing some of the UK’s most exciting musical talent who’ve gone on to put Sheffield on the map on a global scale. With a history of being an events city, we are delighted to be working with the council to continue to bring major events to Sheffield. Our goal is to ensure the venue is a must-play for world-class artists, and that the content is diverse, exciting and world-leading. We have exciting plans for reimagining the customer experience, too, and are looking forward to getting better acquainted with the city very soon.”
Councillor Richard Williams of Sheffield City Council added, “I am really pleased to welcome ASM Global onboard as the new operators of Sheffield Arena, this is a major step forward in our ambitious plan for the city and entertainment facilities. Though we are incredibly proud of the Arena and our current partnership with Sheffield City Trust, this new investment will allow us to compete on a global scale.”
Utilita Arena Sheffield joins ASM Global’s network of more than 350 venues around the world, which collectively host 20,000 events and welcome 164 million guests every year, by ASM Global’s own admission. In The UK, ASM Global’s suite of venues includes AO Arena, first direct Arena, OVO Arena Wembley, Utilita Arena Newcastle, P&J Live Aberdeen, Olympia London, York Barbican, Whitley Bay Playhouse, and more.