Birmingham, Bristol, Liverpool, and Nottingham were also on the old company’s relocation shortlist.

If it would not leave the capital, Arts Council England threatened to withdraw its annual £12 million subsidy.

The ENO will continue to own and perform at its current home, the London Coliseum, after the transition in 2029.

“As we continue to transition through significant change, today’s announcement marks an important and defining moment for our remarkable company,” said ENO interim CEO Jenny Mollica.

“This future direction will see us continue to expand our role as a national institution – supporting our mission to create work with and for even more audiences across the country, alongside our annual season at the London Coliseum.”

On November 16, 2022, a “Love ENO” sign will be displayed outside the English National Opera’s London Coliseum home.
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The ENO will retain ownership, management, and production of a “substantial ENO season” in the London Coliseum.
Greater Manchester, she said, provided “an emerging vision for the future of ENO and operatic work,” as well as “a shared ambition to open up new possibilities for opera in people’s lives.”

According to OECD population estimates, Manchester is currently the largest city in Europe without a resident opera company.