Oscars Take Center Stage: Moving From Dolby Theatre To L.A. Live'S Peacock Theater

Hollywood's Iconic Night Finds a New Home

Hollywood's glitziest event is gearing up to trade its long-time red carpet locale for a fresh urban vibe! Announced on Thursday by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Oscars are packing up from their iconic Dolby Theatre perch and heading downtown to the dynamic Peacock Theater at L.A. Live.

This move is marked for 2029, when the Oscars will also take a digital leap by streaming exclusively on YouTube, bidding farewell to its traditional TV partner, ABC. The relocation is part of a decade-long partnership with entertainment giant AEG, who calls the shots at L.A. Live.

“L.A. Live will be the perfect backdrop for our global celebration of cinema.”

The End of an Era on Hollywood Boulevard

Since 2002, the Dolby Theatre has been the Oscars' home, nestled among Hollywood's famed landmarks like the Walk of Fame and the TCL Chinese Theatre. But as the Academy's membership swells beyond 11,000, the need for more space and less logistical hassle becomes clear.

The Dolby's cozy 3,400-seat arrangement has been a pinch for the grand occasion, not to mention the extensive street closures and security hurdles it demands every year. The shift to L.A. Live promises a smoother and more expansive experience.

A New Chapter with Wider Horizons

L.A. Live's sprawling 4-million-square-foot domain offers a tantalizing array of possibilities. Home to the Grammy and Emmy awards, this campus-like venue features restaurants, hotels, and event spaces all within a stone's throw.

Specifically, the Peacock Theater brings 7,100 seats to the table – a significant upgrade from the Dolby. As the Academy embarks on this new journey, upgrades to the theater's tech and facilities are already in the works to ensure a state-of-the-art experience.

In the words of Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Lynette Howell Taylor, AEG is renowned for its innovative performance spaces, and with L.A. Live, the Oscars are set to shine brighter than ever.