Music and sport festival expected to attract 50,000 people to city venues

Sheftival, to be held at Sheffield’s Don Valley Stadium and the neighbouring Don Valley Bowl, will include “have-a-go” sporting sessions alongside musical concerts.

Professional clubs including Sheffield Eagles rugby league club, British Judo, Sheffield Steelers and Sheffield and Hallamshire Football Association have lent their support.

Sports fans will also be able to watch a huge big screen in Don Valley Stadium broadcasting live Olympic action – including Jessica Ennis’s gold medal heptathlon challenge.

Steve Brailey, the chief executive of Sheffield International Venues, which runs the stadium, said: “We are hoping the fantastic range of activities on offer will inspire people to take up a new sport or revisit previous activities.

“Sheffield’s elite sporting success is clear – one in seven GB athletes have trained in Sheffield at SIV venues and many international Olympic teams have chosen the city as their pre-games training base in the build up to London 2012.

“Our commitment is also to general participation and raising interest in sports and activities.

“This event is designed to ignite people’s interest and ability and encourage everyone to have a go. Who knows, we might find the next tranche of Olympians in the process.”

Members of the public can arrive on the day for the free “have-a-go” sessions and a full timetable for the events to be held on August 4 and 5 can be found at www.sheftival.com.

Tickets for the music concerts in the Don Valley Bowl, which will include acoustic stages, a dance tent and a fairground are on sale on the website.