Sheffield Arena, the flagship venue in leading leisure provider Sheffield International Venues' portfolio, will host the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year event for 2009.
The Sheffield Arena, managed by Live Nation for SIV, will host the star-studded celebration of the best moments from an extraordinary year of sport on Sunday December 13.
It is expected to be the biggest in the 56-year history of Sports Personality of the Year, with an audience of nearly 11,000 in Sheffield. The glittering cast list is expected to feature many of the world's biggest sporting names, including many former winners such as Lord Sebastian Coe, Joe Calzaghe, Sir Steve Redgrave and Dame Kelly Holmes.
SIV's prestigious winter sports centre and Europe's largest ice complex iceSheffield, located next to Sheffield Arena, will host both pre and post event parties on the evening.
Steve Brailey, chief executive at Sheffield International Venues, said: "This is fantastic news for Sheffield. We have the chance for the city to make a lasting impression with this nationally renowned event that spans both the sporting and non sporting public.
"Here is a superb opportunity for us to raise the image and profile of Sheffield, highlight our unique portfolio of properties, and help inspire others to take part through these fantastic global role models.
"Sports people who have travelled the world are amazed at what they find in Sheffield - from our international venues to the people who deliver events to a world-class standard."
Sheffield beat off stiff competition from cities including Cardiff to host the event which was staged last year at Liverpool's Echo Arena and previously at Birmingham's NEC. Last year's show attracted a TV audience of more than nine million viewers. The tickets for last year's show, presented by Sue Barker, Gary Lineker and Jake Humphrey, sold out within an hour.
The bid was secured thanks to a partnership approach from Sheffield International Venues, Sheffield City Council's Major Sports Events Unit, city development company Creative Sheffield and tourism agency Yorkshire South.
As the National City of Sport, Sheffield has an enviable choice of world-class facilities with resident athletes including Great Britain heptathlete Jessica Ennis, world ranked snooker stars Ding Junhui and Liang Wenbo and England's number one table tennis star Paul Drinkhall.
Among prestigious events SIV hosted, or are to host this year, include U2 at Don Valley Stadium, the FINA World Diving Series at Ponds Forge International Sports Centre, the International Skating Union Junior Grand Prix at iceSheffield and the Athletics UK Indoor Championships & European Trials at the English Institute of Sport.
The awards evening's format climaxes in the presentation of the most prestigious award in British sport when the Sports Personality of the Year is crowned, an accolade chosen by the viewers from a shortlist of 10 contenders.
As well as the main award of Sports Personality of the Year, other presentations include the Lifetime Achievement Award, which will honour one of the world's true sporting legends; Team of the Year, Coach of the Year, Overseas Sports Personality, Young Sports Personality of the Year, Sports Unsung Hero and the Helen Rollason Award for outstanding achievement in the face of adversity.
Sporting highlights so far in 2009 have included Jenson Button's success in Formula One, Jo Jackson's world record breaking performances in Sheffield's Ponds Forge swimming pool and the England women's cricket team winning the Ashes and the World Cup.
Programme, ticket and voting details will be announced nearer the time.
For further details on SIV's business and sporting events portfolio visit www.sivltd.com
