The 60th BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards will be broadcast live from the new first direct arena in Leeds.
A crowd of around 12,000 people are expected to fill the venue on December 15th, which follows one of the most hotly debated competitions last year, with Sir Bradley Wiggins winning the top prize.
“We’re thrilled to announce Leeds as the host city for BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2013. The sporting heritage of the city is outstanding and the new arena will be a great venue from which to celebrate the very best of sport in 2013,” stated Barbara Slater, director of BBC Sport.
“The year includes major events such as the Ashes, World Athletics Championships, Rugby League World Cup and Women’s European Football Championship as well as a packed calendar across all sporting disciplines, so we’re looking forward to another exciting show.”
Before 2006 the show was always held in London, since then it’s visited Birmingham, Liverpool, Sheffield and MediaCityUK.
“Leeds is one of the great cities of the country,” added presenter, Gary Lineker.
“It has been to Yorkshire before, of course, when it went to Sheffield, but I’m delighted to say that this year it’s Leeds. Taking the show out on the road has worked really well. It has proven to be hugely popular. You get thousands of people who can come along and enjoy the live show and it just becomes more of an event.
“When you get the people there who really want to be there – the supporters, the sports fans – it just adds to the atmosphere and I’m sure it will be the same in Leeds.”
No ticket information is available yet.
