The Microsoft Theater is a music and theater venue in downtown Los Angeles, California, at L.A. Live. The theater auditorium seats 7,100 and holds one of the largest indoor stages in the United States.
History
The theatre was designed by ELS Architecture and Urban Design of Berkeley, California on a commission by the Anschutz Entertainment Group in 2002. It opened on October 18, 2007 with six concerts featuring The Eagles and The Dixie Chicks. On June 7, 2015, the Nokia Theatre was re-branded as Microsoft Theater as part of a new naming rights deal with AEG Live following Microsoft's acquisition of Nokia's mobile device business in 2014. 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.
Awards shows
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.
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. The Emmys will continue to be held at the Microsoft Theater through 2022 and possibly 2026.
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 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.
The Microsoft Theater will host weightlifting at the 2028 Summer Olympics.
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. She returned to the venue on October 11–12, 2014 as part of Miku Expo LA 2014. Both concerts were sold out. Hatsune Miku returned for another performance on May 6, 2016, as part of her first North American tour. She once again returned to the Microsoft Theater as part of her second tour of North America on June 29, 2018. The 28th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions were held at the Microsoft Theater on April 18, 2013.
