The world’s elite gymnasts will be invited to compete at London’s O2 Arena on April 8, where they will compete in an all-around competition.

The men will compete on six pieces of apparatus - floor, pommel horse, rings, vault, parallel bars and the high bar - while the women’s event will take place on vault, uneven bars, beam and floor.

The women’s competition is due to take place in the afternoon and the men’s in the evening, with the whole event broadcast by Sky Sports in the United Kingdom.

The competition forms part of the World Cup Series that will begin at a venue in the United States and then move to Stuttgart, Germany, before concluding in Britain's capital.

Medals will be handed out throughout all three competitions with gymnasts also picking up ranking points across the events, to crown overall World Cup champions.

The announcement was made today by British Gymnastics chief executive Jane Allen and Matchroom Sport’s Barry Hearn, with British Olympians Max Whitlock, Nile Wilson, Amy Tinkler and Bryony Page also present here.

"We’re delighted to bring this world class gymnastics event to London,"said Allen.

"It is testament to the huge success of our sport that we are able to stage this event and showcase gymnastics in the magnificent O2 Arena.

""British Gymnastics continues to go from strength to strength and our gymnasts' historic achievements during Rio 2016 mean gymnastics is in demand and more popular than ever."

Whitlock, winner of two Olympic gold medals at Rio 2016 on the floor and pommel horse, was also delighted at the prospect of competing in London, at the same venue used for London 2012.

"It’s amazing that gymnastics is coming back to the O2," Whitlock, a double bronze medallist London 2012, said. 

"My experiences competing there during London 2012, with the incredible home crowd support, are amongst the most memorable of my career.

"British Gymnastics is flying at the moment after we made history in Rio and I’m confident the British public will come out in force for this world class event."

Britain also won two silver and three bronze medals during gymnastics competition at Rio 2016. 

"British sport is riding the crest of a wave after a quite outstanding performance at the Rio Olympics," said Hearn, the chairman of Matchroom, who is also involved in sports such as darts, snooker and table tennis.

"I am thrilled to be bringing some of Team GB’s gymnastics superstars home to London for this major event.

"Gymnastics is something completely new for Matchroom and I cannot wait to put our unique stamp on this global event."

Tickets for the event are due to on general sale on Friday (September 30).