Global venue management company announced as new operator for Sheffield City Hall
ASM Global has been announced as the new operator of Sheffield City Hall, as of January 2025.
Last year, Sheffield City Council revealed that the city’s leisure and entertainment venues were set to receive £117 million of investment including rebuilds of some of the city’s 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 were announced as the new operator for Utilita Arena Sheffield.
Operators were also invited to bid on the running of Sheffield’s historic and iconic, City Hall, and after a highly competitive tender process, ASM Global have also been selected as the successful bidder and the new operator of the venue.
ASM Global is an international venue management and event strategy company, and one of the world’s leading producers of entertainment experiences. They deliver world-class content to venues around the UK, Europe, USA and South America, ranging from major sporting events as well as tours from artists of international acclaim.
Sheffield City Hall and the Utilita Arena Sheffield will join ASM Global’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 have a world-class reputation within the venue and entertainment industry, and I am delighted that they have been announced as the new operator for the 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 is one of the city’s most iconic venues and has hosted some of the biggest names in music, entertainment and public speaking, from Elton John to the Beatles and Kylie Minogue.
Since it first opened its doors in 1932, Sheffield City Hall has also provided a home to many local and community events, such as tea dances in the Ballroom or Manor Operatic Society’s annual panto.
Over the years, Sheffield City Hall has been a pillar of civic life within the city and has witnessed countless historic events, including Sir Winston Churchill receiving the Freedom of the City of Sheffield honour at the landmark.
It is currently host to over 750 events each year, including Sheffield’s International Concert Season and the Last Laugh Comedy Club, plus conferences, exhibitions and much more.
Chris Bray, President of ASM Global Europe, said:
“We are delighted 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.”
Next steps for the projects include finalising the tender for the city’s leisure services.