Oscars Depart Hollywood in 2029, Concluding Era at Dolby Theatre
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will relocate its annual awards ceremony from the Dolby Theatre to L.A. Live in downtown Los Angeles beginning in 2029. The agreement with AEG runs through 2039 and names the current Peacock Theater as the event site. Filmogaz.com confirmed that the theater is expected to be renamed before the first ceremony there.
Reasons for the relocation
Organizers cited the need for a more centralized, campus-style footprint. L.A. Live allows the red carpet, show, press operations and post-show events to sit closer together.
Capacity is a key factor. Academy membership has grown to more than 11,000, straining the Dolby Theatre’s space.
Venue and technical plans
The ceremony will move into the theater now called the Peacock Theater. The venue is adjacent to Crypto.com Arena and the Los Angeles Convention Center.
Officials plan upgrades to stage infrastructure, sound, and lighting. Early renderings suggest a large, curved proscenium and expanded screen and ceiling elements.
Broadcast change and audience goals
The Oscars will also switch platforms in 2029, streaming live worldwide on YouTube. This ends a five-decade run on ABC.
Leaders say the shift aims to reach a broader global audience after years of declining television viewership. Ratings fell from more than 40 million viewers in the late 1990s to 17.9 million this year, a 9 percent drop from last year.
Timeline and historical context
The awards will remain at the Dolby Theatre through the 100th ceremony in 2028. The move takes effect for the 101st Oscars in 2029.
The Dolby Theatre opened as the Kodak Theatre in 2001 and served as the awards’ home for nearly 25 years. For many, this marks a Concluding Era at Dolby Theatre before the downtown return.
Operations, security, and logistics
L.A. Live offers ballroom and hotel adjacency, including the nearby JW Marriott. That proximity supports backstage functions, green rooms, and press areas.
At Hollywood Boulevard, the ceremony required multiple road closures and tight security. This year’s measures included an extended police buffer amid concerns tied to unrest abroad.
Partnerships and future development
AEG operates L.A. Live and has proposed adding hotels, residences, and more entertainment space. The campus model creates new hospitality and sponsorship opportunities.
Both AEG and the Academy expressed commitment to collaborate on staging and fan experiences. Executives described the site as well suited to events that define culture.
The move has been framed as a reset for the show. Some observers call it an example of the Oscars Depart Hollywood in 2029, as organizers pursue a modern, global presentation of the ceremony.
