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The Academy Awards will leave the Dolby Theatre after 2028, relocating to a larger downtown Los Angeles venue as production and staging requirements evolve.
LOS ANGELES — The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced plans to relocate the Academy Awards from Hollywood to downtown Los Angeles beginning in 2029, marking a significant shift in the staging of the film industry’s most prominent honors.
The transition, confirmed Thursday in a joint statement with AEG, will conclude the ceremony’s long-standing residency at the Dolby Theatre. The 100th Academy Awards in 2028 will serve as the venue’s final ceremony before the event moves to the Peacock Theater within the L.A. LIVE district.
A strategic shift in presentation
The relocation reflects a broader repositioning of the Oscars within Los Angeles and signals evolving priorities in production, scale, and audience engagement. Under a 10-year agreement extending through 2039, the new venue is expected to support expanded staging and integrated programming across the L.A. LIVE campus.
“For the 101st Oscars and beyond, the Academy looks forward to closely collaborating with AEG to make L.A. LIVE the perfect backdrop for our global celebration of cinema,” Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Lynette Howell Taylor said in a joint statement.
Officials indicated that future ceremonies will place increased emphasis on digital distribution and global accessibility, though specific broadcast arrangements beyond existing agreements have not been fully detailed.
Expanded scale and infrastructure
The move to the Peacock Theater introduces a significantly larger capacity, accommodating approximately 7,000 attendees compared with roughly 3,400 at the Dolby Theatre.
The agreement outlines several operational enhancements:
Production infrastructure upgrades: Permanent stage and backstage modifications tailored to the technical demands of the ceremony
Expanded event footprint: Use of the broader L.A. LIVE campus, including adjacent venues and public spaces, for arrivals and affiliated events
Digital distribution capabilities: Enhanced infrastructure supporting global streaming and audience reach
A return to downtown roots
While closely associated with Hollywood, the Oscars have historically been staged across multiple Los Angeles venues. The inaugural ceremony in 1929 took place at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, while later editions were held in downtown Los Angeles at the Biltmore and Ambassador Hotels, as well as the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium during the mid-20th century.
The announcement follows the 98th Academy Awards held on March 15, 2026.
By relocating to downtown Los Angeles, the Academy positions the ceremony within one of the city’s primary sports and entertainment corridors, aligning its second century with evolving industry dynamics and audience platforms.