New operator revealed for major city venue
International venue management and event strategy company, ASM Global, has been unveiled as the new operator of Sheffield City Hall, as of January 2025.
Last year, Sheffield City Council revealed the city’s leisure and entertainment venues were set to receive £117m of investment including rebuilds of some of the most popular leisure centres and improvements to Sheffield’s Arena and City Hall.
As part of these plans, in June 2023, a competitive procurement process was launched in a bid to attract the best in leisure and entertainment provision to run Sheffield’s venues.
Earlier this year, ASM Global was confirmed as the new operator for Utilita Arena Sheffield.
Operators were also invited to bid on the running of Sheffield’s historic City Hall, and after a competitive tender process, ASM Global has also been selected as the successful bidder and the new operator of the venue.
ASM Global delivers content to venues around the UK, Europe, USA and South America, ranging from major sporting events to tours by internationally acclaimed artists.
Sheffield City Hall and the Utilita Arena Sheffield will join the company’s network of more than 350 venues, which collectively host 20,000 events and welcome 164 million guests every year.
Councillor Kurtis Crossland, chair of the Communities, Parks and Leisure Committee at Sheffield City Council, said: “ASM Global has a world-class reputation within the venue and entertainment industry, and I am pleased that it has been announced as the new operator for Sheffield City Hall, which is central to Sheffield’s cultural and civic life.
“I am confident that both Sheffield City Hall and the Utilita Arena Sheffield are in great hands with ASM Global and that this new investment will help our fantastic Sheffield venues compete on the global stage.”
Sheffield’s Grade II listed City Hall has hosted some of the biggest names in music, entertainment and public speaking, from Elton John to the Beatles and Kylie Minogue.
It currently hosts over 750 events each year, including Sheffield’s International Concert Season and the Last Laugh Comedy Club, as well as conferences and exhibitions.
Chris Bray, president of ASM Global Europe, said: “We are happy to have been selected to operate the wonderful Sheffield City Hall – a truly beautiful and unique venue steeped in heritage.
“Sheffield’s rich culture and phenomenal music talent are recognised far and wide, and working with Sheffield City Council we have exciting plans to evolve and transform the city’s live entertainment experience for both residents and visitors, delivering content that is nothing short of world leading.
“Having announced just a few months ago that ASM Global has also been appointed to manage the city’s Utilita Arena, we are thrilled to be able to support the local community and the city’s economy, ensuring these venues are must-plays across a broad spectrum of acts and artists, from grassroots to world-renowned.”
