Microsoft Theater

The Microsoft Theater (formerly Nokia Theatre L.A. Live) is a music and theater venue in downtown Los Angeles, California, at L.A. Live. The theater auditorium seats 7,100[2] and holds one of the largest indoor stages in the United States.[3]

Microsoft Theater

Exterior of venue (c. 2008)
Microsoft Theater Location within the Los Angeles metropolitan area Show map of the Los Angeles metropolitan area Microsoft Theater Microsoft Theater (California) Show map of California Microsoft Theater Microsoft Theater (the United States) Show map of the United States
Former names	Nokia Theatre L.A. Live (2007–15)
Address	777 Chick Hearn Ct Los Angeles, California
Location	L.A. Live, South Park, Downtown Los Angeles
Coordinates	34°02′40″N 118°16′00″W
Public transit	at Pico
Owner	Anschutz Entertainment Group
Operator	AEG Live
Type	Theatre
Capacity	7,100
Construction
Broke ground	September 15, 2005 (2005-09-15)
Opened	October 17, 2007 (2007-10-17)
Renovated	2015
Construction cost	$120 million ($157 million in 2019 dollars[1])
Architect	ELS Architecture
Structural engineer	John A. Martin & Associates
General contractor	Clark Construction
Website
Venue Website

History

The theatre was designed by ELS Architecture and Urban Design of Berkeley, California on a commission by the Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) in 2002.[3] It opened on October 18, 2007 with six concerts featuring The Eagles and The Dixie Chicks.[2] On June 7, 2015, the Nokia Theatre was re-branded as Microsoft Theater as part of a new naming rights deal with AEG Live[4] following Microsoft's acquisition of Nokia's mobile device business in 2014.[5] As part of the new naming rights deal, the L.A. Live plaza was also renamed Microsoft Square (now Xbox Plaza), and Microsoft provided upgrades to the venue's technology.[6][7]

Awards shows

Microsoft Theater as viewed from the stage (October 2007)

The Microsoft Theatre hosts multiple annual awards shows. Since its opening in 2007, the Microsoft Theatre has become the venue of multiple entertainment industry awards shows, most notably the Primetime Emmy Awards.

Primetime Emmy Awards

Since 2008, the Microsoft Theater has been the venue of the annual Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony after that show moved here from the Shrine Auditorium, except 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards, which take place a week before the Primetime Emmy Awards, are also held at the Microsoft Theater. Following the Emmy Awards telecast, the Governors Ball is held across the street at the Los Angeles Convention Center.[8] The Emmys will continue to be held at the Microsoft Theater through 2022 and possibly 2026. [9]

Grammy Awards

In 2008 and 2011, the venue hosted The Grammy Nominations Live, a concert announcing the nominees for the Grammy Awards. The Grammy Awards take place annually across the street at the Staples Center, but the Premier Ceremony (also referred to as the "pre-telecast" ceremony) is held at the Microsoft Theater. Approximately 70 Grammy categories are awarded at the Premier ceremony which takes place prior to the main telecast which is televised, is held at the Microsoft Theater. [10]

American Music Awards

Since 2007, the annual American Music Awards have been held here after moving from the Shrine Auditorium.

ESPY Awards

Since 2008 the ESPY Awards, honoring outstanding athletic achievement, have been held at this venue.

The Game Awards

Since 2015, the Microsoft Theater has hosted The Game Awards, presented by Geoff Keighley.[11]

People's Choice Awards

The venue has also hosted the annual People's Choice Awards from 2010 to 2017.

BET Awards

The annual BET Awards have been held at the venue since 2013.[12]

MTV Video Music Awards

The Microsoft Theater hosted the MTV Video Music Awards in 2010, 2011, and 2015.

Radio Disney Music Awards

The venue has hosted the Radio Disney Music Awards.[13]

Sports

The Microsoft Theater has also served as a sports venue. It has hosted boxing matches and will also serve as a venue during the 2028 Olympics.

Boxing

The venue has hosted professional boxing matches for circuits such as Golden Boy Promotions and Premier Boxing Champions.[14]

2028 Summer Olympics

The Microsoft Theater will host weightlifting at the 2028 Summer Olympics.[15]

Other events

The theater has also been used by Microsoft and Nintendo multiple times for press conferences during E3. It was also the venue for the finale of American Idol from seasons 7–13.

Vocaloid character Hatsune Miku made her U.S. debut at the Microsoft Theater on July 2, 2011, as part of Anime Expo.[16] She returned to the venue on October 11–12, 2014 as part of Miku Expo LA 2014.[17] Both concerts were sold out. Hatsune Miku returned for another performance on May 6, 2016, as part of her first North American tour.[18] She once again returned to the Microsoft Theater as part of her second tour of North America on June 29, 2018.[19] The 28th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions were held at the Microsoft Theater on April 18, 2013.[20]

References

1. Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved January 1, 2020.
2. "Nokia Theatre L.A. Live-About". Anschutz Entertainment Group. Archived from the original on July 23, 2008. Retrieved July 8, 2008.
3. Sokol, David (May 19, 2008). "Nokia Theatre". Architectural Record. Retrieved September 17, 2017.
4. Brown, August (June 9, 2015). "L.A. Live's Nokia Theatre changes name to Microsoft Theater". Los Angeles Times.
5. Trenholm, Rich (April 25, 2014). "Microsoft closes Nokia deal, pays more than expected". CNET. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
6. Barnes, Mike. "Microsoft Takes Naming Rights to L.A.'s Nokia Theatre (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 17, 2017.
7. Fogel, Stefanie (April 16, 2019). "Xbox Will Hold Its E3 2019 Briefing on Jun. 9". Variety. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
8. "Emmys Will Move To New Venue". USA Today. Associated Press. March 11, 2008. Retrieved July 13, 2008.
9. https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2019-09-03/television-emmy-awards-in-los-angeles-microsoft-theater-aeg
10. "GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony Performers, Presenters Announced". The GRAMMYs. February 16, 2015. Archived from the original on February 15, 2016. Retrieved February 15, 2016.
11. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-game-awards-2019-stream-date/1100-6469803/
12. Kennedy, Gerrick D. (June 30, 2012). "BET Awards stage one more in the Shrine before going to L.A. Live". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 13, 2012.
13. "Radio Disney Music Awards 2014: Full List Of Winners". Forbes. August 23, 2006. Retrieved December 29, 2011.
14. "Staples Center: 10 years of boxing and counting". ringtv.com. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
15. Slayton, Nicholas (August 30, 2017). "Downtown Will Have a Huge Role in the 2028 Olympics". Los Angeles Downtown News. Retrieved September 17, 2017.
16. "Japan's Virtual Pop Star Hatsune Miku To Make U.S. Concert Debut At Anime Expo 2011" (Press release). Anime Expo 2011. Archived from the original on May 19, 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2017.
17. "Hatsune Miku Expo Los Angeles". Crypton Future Media.
18. "Hatsune Miku Expo 2016 North America". Crypton Future Media.
19. "Hatsune Miku Expo 2018 North America & Mexico". Crypton Future Media.
20. "Rock and Rock Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony 2013". CBS News. April 19, 2013.

External links

Media related to Nokia Theatre, Los Angeles at Wikimedia Commons

• Official website

Events and tenants
Preceded by Shrine Auditorium	Venues of the Primetime Emmy Awards 2008–present	Succeeded by –
Preceded by Shrine Auditorium	Venues of the American Music Awards 2007–present	Succeeded by –
Preceded by Kodak Theatre	Venues of the ESPY Awards 2008–present	Succeeded by –
Preceded by Kodak Theatre	Venues of the American Idol Finale 2008–2014	Succeeded by Dolby Theatre
Preceded by Radio City Music Hall	Venues of the MTV Video Music Awards 2010–2011	Succeeded by Staples Center
Preceded by The Forum	Venues of the MTV Video Music Awards 2015	Succeeded by Madison Square Garden
Preceded by Shrine Auditorium	Venues of the People's Choice Awards 2010–2017	Succeeded by Barker Hangar
Preceded by Radio Disney Studios	Venues of the Radio Disney Music Awards 2013–2017	Succeeded by Dolby Theatre
Preceded by Shrine Auditorium	Venues of the BET Awards 2013–present	Succeeded by –
Preceded by The AXIS	Venues of The Game Awards 2015–present	Succeeded by –
Preceded by Blizzard Arena	Home of the Los Angeles Valiant 2020–future	Succeeded by –