YouTube Theater, the aptly-named performance venue born out of a partnership between YouTube and Hollywood Park in Inglewood, CA, is officially open to the public. The intimate 6,000-seat venue will host events of all kinds, including concerts, comedy shows, esports, and distinctive YouTube creator events. Hollywood Park has also partnered with Live Nation to book live shows at the venue, with several artists already slated to perform this year and next.
Technology was at the forefront of the design of YouTube Theater, which includes a large digital YouTube play button outside that fans can interact with and use to view highlights of YouTube creator content. The YouTube Icon can be “programmed with an infinite number of interactive modes” depending on what experience organizers want to give fans. In addition, the venue will enable events to be livestreamed on YouTube, which is in line with a growing trend within the industry.
“YouTube Theater will drive the uniqueness of YouTube by combining physical, ‘in real life’ events that bring creators and fans together, while simultaneously sharing that same event experience with our two billion global monthly users through livestreams and VOD content,” said Angela Courtin, Vice President of Brand Marketing of YouTube, in a statement. “YouTube creators and artists are the heart of YouTube and YouTube Theater adds to the portfolio of opportunities to drive their creativity, build their businesses, grow their communities and so much more.”
Live events are already scheduled at YouTube Theater through the next few months, and the venue, in collaboration with Live Nation, will be hosting an official grand opening this winter, which will kick off the exclusive residency of a major music group. The artist is yet to be announced.
“YouTube Theater is in the heart of the entertainment capital of the world and inspired by creativity and technology,” said Hollywood Park Developer E. Stanley Kroenke in a statement. “We are proud to partner with YouTube at this unique venue. YouTube Theater’s opening series of special and diverse concerts and events is not only for the Inglewood and Los Angeles communities it calls home but also representative of them. We cannot wait to welcome you.”