Major Events
Glasgow’s events will aid city’s recovery and future economic growth
While the city’s events continue to be impacted by the restrictions surrounding Covid-19, we are working hard to plan for the time when we can once again welcome visitors and citizens to enjoy our incredible calendar of events.
While annual events such as the World Pipe Band Championships, Piping Live! and the Murray Trophy tennis event have been casualties, others such as the Merchant City Festival have been moving online with a free programme to entertain audiences. It is hoped the online programme, in association with Surge, gives regular festival visitors a flavour of the usual live event. In the months ahead, festival organisers and partners are working on a series of post-lockdown performances to be staged in streets and venues across the city, as and when government public health regulations allow.
Glasgow Life is continuing to work closely with Glasgow City Council and public and private sector partners, along with Scottish Government and stakeholders in sport and culture to drive forward an events strategy which will be part of the city’s recovery.
This is led by the Glasgow Events Board, which will determine the best way to realise future events safely. Glasgow’s experience as a leader in events delivery will be crucial to our future success, with support and partnership working with funders, events’ rights holders, sports governing bodies and cultural organisations. That work is already yielding positive results. In June, Glasgow’s status as a Host City was confirmed for the UEFA EURO 2020 tournament now to be held in 2021. The re-arranged tournament will now take place from 11 June to 11 July 2021, with UEFA announcing that Glasgow’s three Group D matches will be held at Hampden Park on 14, 18 and 22 June 2021, followed by a round of 16 match on 29 June.
Councillor David McDonald, the Chair of Glasgow Life and Depute Leader of Glasgow City Council, welcomed the news. He said:
“We believe this is an important signal that Glasgow and Scotland are committed to being open for business once again. UEFA EURO 2020 will make a significant contribution to creating a festival atmosphere in the city centre, provide an opportunity for communities to gather and celebrate together and give a welcome boost to businesses in the city following an exceptionally difficult year."
You can get more information on UEFA EURO 2020 updates click here
Lorna Graham
Glasgow Strategic Lead - 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships
Strategic lead appointed for 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships
Glasgow knows how to put on a show and with our experienced and passionate team we are doing everything possible to get our events back up and running.
In the longer term, this includes the next major sport and cultural spectacular which will see the eyes of the world turn to Glasgow. Inspired by our hosting of the first ever European Championships in 2018, we will stage the first combined UCI Cycling World Championships in 2023.
Lorna Graham has recently been appointed Glasgow’s Strategic Lead for the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships. We caught up with Lorna to ask what hosting such a major event means for both her and the city.
What was your previous role and some career highlights?
I’ve worked over 12 years for the city, first in the events team at Glasgow City Marketing Bureau and for the last three years within Glasgow Life. I was responsible for managing the successful bids which helped bring the MTV EMAs and Turner Prize to Glasgow. I also worked as part of the team to secure the inaugural 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships for Scotland and Glasgow.
What excites you most about this role?
I love the city and have been a strong advocate on a national and international level for the city’s profile as a major events destination. I have broad experience in bidding and activating major events as well as a knowledge of how events can deliver destination awareness and brand impacts on a global stage. I have worked on this event since the early discussions with partner organisations and understand its complexities, challenges and opportunities. I’m most looking forward to working with partners and stakeholders at a local, national and international level to realise the ambitions of this ground-breaking event. Glasgow is a global event powerhouse and our world-class events play a significant role in the economic, social, health and well-being of the city, bringing communities together, attracting visitors and generating income to support jobs and businesses. The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships is another chance to put Glasgow and Scotland on the global stage.
What are you looking forward to in driving forward the Championships?
The city’s calendar of regular events and roster of major international sport events provide a significant platform to promote the city on a global stage and will be a focal point as our economy restarts. We’re already working with partners to build awareness and anticipation for the event coming to the city in just three years’ time. There is massive potential for the event to deliver benefits across the city and attract visitors and citizens to see world class sporting completion and associated cultural activity for everyone to get involved and enjoy themselves. What does it mean for Glasgow, building on the legacy of the Commonwealth Games in 2014 and the 2018 European Championships?
2023 will become another major milestone in the city’s event journey. Glasgow is a 'Top 5 Ultimate Sporting City' and events such as this will continue to cement the city’s reputation as a world class destination for sport and cultural events. We will build on the success from 2014 and 2018 to make sure 2023 further enhances the strategic objectives the city places on hosting major events.
How can the city capitalise on all things cycling? Particularly with the recent expansion of infrastructure in light of the Covid-19 emergency?
The city will continue to adapt and innovate over the coming months and years to enable those that can and want to start or continue their cycling ambitions. This could be to commute or for leisure or wellbeing; cycling has so much to offer. We will work to make sure barriers to participation lessen and opportunities to get involved increase by working with industry and sporting partners on new initiatives and support. Watching the best cyclists in the world competing on our streets and arenas will inspire so many of our citizens to get involved with cycling and enjoy the real potential of active and healthy travel.