The Peacock Theater, formerly Nokia Theatre and Microsoft Theater, is a music and theater venue at L.A. Live in the downtown core of Los Angeles, California, United States. The theater auditorium seats 7,100[1] and holds one of the largest indoor stages in the United States, it is best known for hosting various award shows and other special events.[2]
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.[2] It opened on October 18, 2007, with six concerts featuring the Eagles and the Dixie Chicks.[1] On June 7, 2015, the Nokia Theatre was re-branded as Microsoft Theater as part of a new naming rights deal with AEG Live[3] following Microsoft's acquisition of Nokia's mobile device business in 2014.[4] As part of the new naming rights deal, the L.A. Live plaza was also renamed Microsoft Square (later known as Xbox Plaza) and Microsoft provided upgrades to the venue's technology.[5][6]
On June 15, 2023, it was announced that the theater would be rebranded as Peacock Theater on July 11 as part of a new naming rights deal between AEG Live and Peacock's parent company Comcast, with Xbox Plaza also rebranded as Peacock Place.[7]
Awards shows
Since its opening in 2007, the venue has become the venue of multiple entertainment industry awards shows, most notably the Primetime Emmy Awards.
Primetime Emmy Awards
Since 2008, the theater has been the venue of the annual Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony after it moved from the Shrine Auditorium (excluding 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic in California, when it was held at the Crypto.com Arena and the Event Deck at L.A. Live, respectively). The Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards, which take place a week prior are also held at the venue. Following the Emmys telecast, the Governors Ball is held across the street at the Los Angeles Convention Center.[11] The Emmys will continue to be held here through 2026.[12]
Grammy Awards
In 2008 and 2011, the venue hosted The Grammy Nominations Live, a concert announcing the nominees for the Grammy Awards. The Awards take place across the street at the Crypto.com Arena, while the Premier Ceremony (also referred to as the "pre-telecast" ceremony) is held here. Approximately 70 categories are awarded.[13]
American Music Awards
From 2007 until 2022, the American Music Awards were held here, moving from the Shrine Auditorium.
The Game Awards
Since 2015 (excluding 2020 where it held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic), the theater has hosted The Game Awards, presented by Geoff Keighley.[14]
BET Awards
The venue has hosted the BET Awards since 2013 (excluding 2020 when it was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic).[15]
ESPY Awards
The venue hosted the ESPY Awards from 2008 to 2019.
People's Choice Awards
The venue has hosted the People's Choice Awards from 2010 to 2017.
MTV Video Music Awards
The venue hosted the MTV Video Music Awards in 2010, 2011, and 2015.
Radio Disney Music Awards
The venue hosted the Radio Disney Music Awards from 2013 to 2017.[16]
MTV Movie Awards
The venue hosted the MTV Movie Awards in 2014 and 2015.
iHeartRadio Music Awards
The venue hosted the iHeartRadio Music Awards in 2019.
Billboard Music Awards
The venue hosted the Billboard Music Awards in 2021.[17]
Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards
The venue hosted the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards in 2023.[18]
Academy Awards
In March 2026, it was announced that the Academy Awards will move to the venue from the Dolby Theatre, beginning in 2029, and is expected to continue through 2039.[19]
Sports
The venue has also served as a sports venue. It has hosted boxing matches and will also serve as a venue during the 2028 Olympics. It will host the 2025 NHL entry draft.
Boxing
The venue has hosted professional boxing matches for circuits such as Golden Boy Promotions and Premier Boxing Champions.[20]
2025 NHL entry draft
The venue hosted the 2025 NHL entry draft on June 27 and 28 for the National Hockey League.[21]
2028 Summer Olympics and Paralympics
The venue is set to host weightlifting and boxing prelims at the 2028 Summer Olympics.[22]
During the 2028 Summer Paralympics, the venue will host goalball.[23]
Other events
The theater was used by Microsoft and Nintendo multiple times for press conferences during the E3 trade event.
John Mayer played a concert at the theater on December 8, 2007, for the first revue of his Annual John Mayer Holiday Charity Revue, consisting of three separate performances: the first an acoustic set opened by Mayer and joined by the guitarists from his band, the second with the John Mayer Trio, and the third with Mayer's regular touring band. This was recorded and released as the live album/concert film Where the Light Is.
It was also the venue for the finale of American Idol from 2008 to 2014.
Vocaloid character Hatsune Miku made her U.S. debut at the theater on July 2, 2011, as part of Anime Expo.[24] She returned to the venue on October 11–12, 2014, as part of Miku Expo LA 2014.[25] Both concerts were sold out. Miku returned for another performance on May 6, 2016, as part of her first North American tour.[26] She once again returned as part of her second tour of North America on June 29, 2018.[27]
The live adaption of the children's television series Yo Gabba Gabba! called ''Yo Gabba Gabba! LIVE! There's a Party in My City!'' was held at theatre in 2011.
2NE1 held a show at this venue as part of their 1st World Tour [New Evolution Global Tour] on August 24, 2012.
The 28th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions were held at the venue on April 18, 2013.[28] The ceremony was held here again in 2022.[29] The 40th Annual inductions happened here in 2025.[30]
The inauguration ceremony for the 9th Summit of the Americas was held at the theater for world leaders and President Joe Biden in 2022.
On December 11, 2022, the venue hosted the inauguration for Mayor Karen Bass.
Hong Kong boy group Mirror performed their second U.S. concert on April 9, 2024, as part of their first tour, Feel the Passion Concert Tour 2024.[31]
On June 15, 2024, the Peacock Theater hosted a unique fundraiser supporting the Joe Biden for President Campaign. It hosted an interview with President Joe Biden and President Barack Obama being conducted by Jimmy Kimmel. George Clooney and Julia Roberts were also hosts.[32]
Philippine girl group BINI held a concert on June 14, 2025, in the area as part of the Biniverse World Tour.[33]
A concert dedicated to showcasing music from the Violet Evergarden franchise was hosted at the Peacock Theater on February 15, 2026,[34] with Miho Karasawa, Minori Chihara, and Aira Yuki present to perform their songs from the franchise.[35]
External links
References
- Nokia Theatre L.A. Live-About Anschutz Entertainment Group, retrieved July 8, 2008^
- David Sokol. Nokia Theatre Architectural Record, May 19, 2008, retrieved September 17, 2017^
- August Brown. L.A. Live's Nokia Theatre changes name to Microsoft Theater Los Angeles Times, June 9, 2015, retrieved February 20, 2020^
- Rich Trenholm. Microsoft closes Nokia deal, pays more than expected CNET, April 25, 2014, retrieved April 25, 2014^
- Mike Barnes. Microsoft Takes Naming Rights to L.A.'s Nokia Theatre (Exclusive) The Hollywood Reporter, June 9, 2015, retrieved September 17, 2017^
- Stefanie Fogel. Xbox Will Hold Its E3 2019 Briefing on Jun. 9 Variety, April 16, 2019, retrieved May 3, 2019^
- Bruce Haring. L.A. Live Complex Inks Naming Rights Deal With Peacock, Streamer To Be Featured Throughout Deadline, June 15, 2023, retrieved June 15, 2023^
- Ben Wener. L.A.'s Nokia Theatre is the new kid on the block The Orange County Register, Freedom Communications, October 13, 2007, retrieved June 22, 2023^
- L.A. LIVE's Home Of Concerts And Award Shows Renamed Microsoft Theater Anschutz Entertainment Group, June 9, 2015, retrieved June 22, 2023^
- Cindy Von Quednow. Microsoft Theater, Xbox Plaza at L.A. Live to bear Peacock name KTLA, Nexstar Media Group, June 15, 2023, retrieved June 22, 2023^
- Emmys Will Move To New Venue USA Today, March 11, 2008, retrieved July 13, 2008^
- Meg James. AEG's Microsoft Theater to remain host of the Television Academy's Emmy Awards Los Angeles Times, September 3, 2019^
- GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony Performers, Presenters Announced The GRAMMYs, February 16, 2015, retrieved February 15, 2016^
- The Game Awards 2019 Stream Date gamespot.com, retrieved December 10, 2019^
- Gerrick D. Kennedy. BET Awards stage one more in the Shrine before going to L.A. Live Los Angeles Times, June 30, 2012, retrieved October 13, 2012^
- Radio Disney Music Awards 2014: Full List Of Winners Forbes, August 23, 2006, retrieved December 29, 2011^
- Ellise Shafer. 2021 Billboard Music Awards Set to Air in May Variety, January 25, 2021, retrieved May 16, 2021^
- Denise Petski. Nate Burleson & Charli D'Amelio To Host Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards; Stranger Things Leads 2023 Nominations — Full List Deadline Hollywood, January 31, 2023, retrieved January 31, 2023^
- Rebecca Ford. The Oscars aren't just moving to YouTube — they're also leaving their longtime LA home Vanity Fair, March 26, 2026, retrieved March 26, 2026^
- Staples Center: 10 years of boxing and counting ringtv.com, September 17, 2010, retrieved January 28, 2018^
- Nick Horwat. Report: Los Angeles to Host 2025 NHL Draft Breakaway on SI, Sports Illustrated, October 9, 2024, retrieved October 9, 2024^
- Nicholas Slayton. Downtown Will Have a Huge Role in the 2028 Olympics Los Angeles Downtown News, August 30, 2017, retrieved September 17, 2017^
- https://la28.org/en/games-plan/paralympics/goalball.html^
- Japan's Virtual Pop Star Hatsune Miku To Make U.S. Concert Debut At Anime Expo 2011 Anime Expo 2011, retrieved September 17, 2017^
- Hatsune Miku Expo Los Angeles Crypton Future Media, retrieved June 10, 2014^
- Hatsune Miku Expo 2016 North America Crypton Future Media, retrieved November 12, 2015^
- Hatsune Miku Expo 2018 North America & Mexico Crypton Future Media, retrieved July 27, 2018^
- Rock and Rock Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony 2013 CBS News, April 19, 2013, retrieved September 18, 2017^
- 2022 Induction Ceremony in HBO RockHall.com^
- City News Service. Rock HOF Inductions Ceremony Returns To Los Angeles Saturday Los Angeles, CA Patch, 2025-11-08, retrieved 2025-11-10^
- MIRROR FEEL THE PASSION CONCERT TOUR 2024 MIRROR FEEL THE PASSION CONCERT TOUR 2024, retrieved March 14, 2024^
- Biden taps Obama, George Clooney, Julia Roberts and the Clintons for mega fundraisers NBC News, May 12, 2024, retrieved June 12, 2024^
- Downtown L.A. Curfew Exceptions In Place For Performing Arts Venues Including Dorothy Chandler Pavilion & Mark Taper Forum As Curfew Extends Into Third Night – Update Deadline, May 12, 2024, retrieved June 12, 2025^
- Melvyn Tan. Violet Evergarden US Concert Tour Announced for February 2026 2025-12-08, retrieved 2026-02-17^
- Joseph Luster. Violet Evergarden Live in Concert USA Tour Sets Sights on Three Cities This Month Crunchyroll News, 2026-02-06, retrieved 2026-02-17^