Oscars Abandon Hollywood Landmark For Downtown LA's 7,100-Seat Peacock Theater

The Academy Awards ceremony is set to move from its long-time home in Hollywood to a new venue in downtown Los Angeles, beginning with the 101st Oscars in 2029. The prestigious film awards, organized annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, will be hosted at the Peacock Theater under a newly signed agreement. This marks a significant shift in the event’s location after more than two decades at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

The Oscars have been held at the Dolby Theatre for the past 26 years, with the exception of one year during the COVID-19 pandemic. That longstanding arrangement is scheduled to conclude in 2028, paving the way for the transition to the downtown venue. The decision reflects a broader effort by the Academy to modernize the ceremony and adapt to changing audience preferences and technological demands in the entertainment industry.

Under a 10-year agreement with live events company AEG, the Peacock Theater will undergo extensive upgrades ahead of hosting the Oscars. Planned improvements include enhancements to the stage, sound and lighting systems, as well as renovations to lobbies and backstage areas. These upgrades are expected to provide more space for red carpet events and allow for more elaborate and technologically advanced productions.

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One of the key advantages of the new venue is its larger seating capacity. The Peacock Theater, which originally opened in 2007 as the Nokia Theatre, can accommodate approximately 7,100 attendees, significantly more than the Dolby Theatre. The venue has previously hosted major entertainment events, including the 2025 Primetime Emmy Awards, making it a familiar setting for large-scale industry gatherings.

The move is also expected to create new commercial opportunities, including increased sponsorship potential for both the Academy and AEG. The theater is located within the LA Live complex, a major entertainment district in downtown Los Angeles that houses multiple venues and attractions. Industry insiders have indicated that the venue’s naming rights agreement may change after 2028, potentially leading to a rebranding of the theater in the future.

In addition to the venue shift, the Oscars are also preparing for a major broadcast transition. After decades of airing on traditional television, the ceremony is set to move to YouTube in 2029 in an effort to reach younger and more global audiences. The changes come amid declining television viewership for the awards show, although digital engagement has seen a notable rise, highlighting the Academy’s push to remain relevant in an evolving media landscape.

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