Arts Council England (ACE) and the English National Opera (ENO) have together released a joint statement confirming that the ENO will receive a grant of £24 million to cover from  April 2024 to March 2026. The ENO has also been given more time to establish a new main base outside the capital by March 2029.

The ENO’s new home city will be revealed in December this year, with the move to be completed by March 2029, rather than by March 2026 as originally suggested. During the 2024-26 period, the ENO will transition to a new business model, delivering a ‘substantial opera season’ every year in London while developing a ‘significant performance and engagement programme’ in their new home city.

The decision follows months of campaigning from the classical music sector in response to the ACE’s 2023-26 funding announcement which, in November 2022, revealed a fall in funding for National Portfolio organisations, including Welsh National Opera, Glyndebourne and the ENO.

ACE chair Sir Nicholas Serota said: ‘The ENO has presented inspiring ideas to bring their excellent work to people beyond the capital and to explore a range of new ways of presenting opera, and we are investing £24 million in the company over two years to help them realise these ambitions. 

He continued, ‘The extended timeline for their transition to a new main base will enable the ENO to undertake this complex move and to develop partnerships in the new city. The Arts Council’s support for opera is unwavering, and we are excited by the ENO’s new plans and by the enthusiasm shown by the potential host cities.’