Firms have been given until 3 March to submit prequalification documents for a two-stage design and build competition.
A bidders day will be held on 28 January to set out plans for the 21,000 seat arena project, which should get underway in a year’s time.
The city mayor has already launched an international competition to design the arena and AECOM is on board as cost consultant and employer’s agent.
UK architects Grimshaw, Wilkinson Eyre, Populous, Spanish firm IDOM and Scandinavia’s White Arkitekter have all been shortlisted.
The council aims to borrow £53m against its City Deal and raise the remaining from the arena operator and car parking income.
For further information about the bidders day email Andrea Vasconcelos
To obtain prequalification documents click here reference 1001285.