Microsoft Theater
Coordinates: 34°02′40″N 118°16′00″W / 34.04444°N 118.26667°W
 Exterior of venue (c. 2008) | |
| 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 |
| Public transit |
   |
| Owner | Anschutz Entertainment Group |
| Operator | AEG Live |
| Type | Theatre |
| Capacity | 7,100 |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | September 15, 2005 |
| Opened | October 17, 2007 |
| Renovated | 2015 |
| Construction cost |
$120 million ($150 million in 2017 dollars[1]) |
| Architect | ELS Architecture |
| Structural engineer | John A. Martin & Associates |
| General contractor | Clark Construction |
| Website | |
| Venue Website | |
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]
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 venue was re-branded as Microsoft Theater as part of a new naming rights deal with AEG Live.[4] Microsoft had acquired 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, and Microsoft provided upgrades to the venue's technology.[6]
Awards shows
The Microsoft Theater hosts multiple annual awards shows. Since its opening in 2007, the Microsoft Theater has become the home of multiple entertainment industry awards shows, most notably the Primetime Emmy Awards.
Primetime Emmy Awards
Since 2008, the Microsoft Theater has hosted the annual Primetime Emmy Awards after that show moved here from the Shrine Auditorium. 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. [7]
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 pre-telecast ceremony, where 70 Grammys are awarded prior to the evening show which is televised, is held at the Microsoft Theater. [8]
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.
Other
The venue has also hosted the annual People's Choice Awards since 2010, the annual BET Awards since 2013 and The Game Awards since 2015.[9]
It hosted the MTV Video Music Awards in 2010, 2011 and 2015.
The Microsoft Theater has also hosted the Radio Disney Music Awards.[10]
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
Boxing matches have been held at the theater.[11]
2028 Summer Olympics
The Microsoft Theater will host weightlifting at the 2028 Summer Olympics.[12]
Overwatch League
On January 9, 2018, it was announced by Los Angeles Valiant CEO Noah Whinston that the Microsoft Theater would be the team's home arena starting in 2020.[13]
Other events
The theater has also been used by 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.[14] She returned to the venue on October 11–12, 2014 as part of Miku Expo LA 2014.[15] Both concerts were sold out. Hatsune Miku returned for another performance on May 6, 2016, as part of her first North American tour.[16] She once again returned to the Microsoft Theater as part of her second tour of North America on June 29th, 2018. [17] The 28th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions were held at the Microsoft Theater on April 18, 2013.[18]
References
- ↑ Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis Community Development Project. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
- 1 2 "Nokia Theatre L.A. Live-About". Anschutz Entertainment Group. Archived from the original on July 23, 2008. Retrieved July 8, 2008.
- 1 2 Sokol, David (May 19, 2008). "Nokia Theatre". Architectural Record. Retrieved September 17, 2017. (Registration required (help)).
- ↑ Brown, August (June 9, 2015). "L.A. Live's Nokia Theatre changes name to Microsoft Theater". Los Angeles Times.
- ↑ Trenholm, Rich (April 25, 2014). "Microsoft closes Nokia deal, pays more than expected". CNET. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
- ↑ Barnes, Mike. "Microsoft Takes Naming Rights to L.A.'s Nokia Theatre (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 17, 2017.
- ↑ "Emmys Will Move To New Venue". USA Today. Associated Press. March 11, 2008. Retrieved July 13, 2008.
- ↑ "GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony Performers, Presenters Announced". The GRAMMYs. February 16, 2015. Archived from the original on February 15, 2016. Retrieved February 15, 2016.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ "Radio Disney Music Awards 2014: Full List Of Winners". Forbes. August 23, 2006. Retrieved December 29, 2011.
- ↑ "Staples Center: 10 years of boxing and counting". ringtv.com. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
- ↑ Slayton, Nicholas (August 30, 2017). "Downtown Will Have a Huge Role in the 2028 Olympics". Los Angeles Downtown News. Retrieved September 17, 2017.
- ↑ "Los Angeles Valiant's future home arena announced". usatoday.com. Retrieved July 14, 2018.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ "Hatsune Miku Expo Los Angeles". Crypton Future Media.
- ↑ "Hatsune Miku Expo 2016 North America". Crypton Future Media.
- ↑ "Hatsune Miku Expo 2018 North America & Mexico". Crypton Future Media.
- ↑ "Rock and Rock Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony 2013". CBS News. April 19, 2013.
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Nokia Theatre, Los Angeles. |
| 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–present |
Succeeded by – |
| 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 – |
