Where the iHeartRadio Music Awards is typically held
The iHeartRadio Music Awards is most often held at major indoor arenas in large U.S. markets, with the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall in Los Angeles being a frequently used venue. The exact location is chosen to suit the scale of the event and the network’s broadcast needs, and it can shift between years based on scheduling, availability, and promotional strategy. Below is a comparison of recent venues to illustrate location patterns and planning factors.
| Year | Venue | City | Notes on selection and context |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall | Los Angeles, CA | Consistent with prior years; central LA venue supports national broadcast and sponsor activation. |
| 2023 | Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall | Los Angeles, CA | Continuity with established venue; offered reliable capacity and technical infrastructure. |
| 2022 | Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall | Los Angeles, CA | Returned to a familiar venue after pandemic-related disruptions in earlier years. |
| 2020 | Microsoft Theater | Los Angeles, CA | Moved to a theater-style venue for a more intimate broadcast configuration. |
| 2019 | Microsoft Theater | Los Angeles, CA | Continued use of flexible theater-format spaces for production preferences. |
Why Los Angeles venues are common
Los Angeles remains a consistent choice because it offers large-capacity arenas, established broadcast infrastructure, proximity to talent and sponsors, and logistical advantages for national television. The Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall has been a workhorse for major award ceremonies due to its stage size, seating options, and adaptable floor plan. When production needs a different audience scale or format, organizers may opt for theaters such as the Microsoft Theater. While the awards have occasionally appeared in other cities for special circumstances or promotional pushes, Los Angeles provides reliability and centrality for iHeartMedia’s wide audience reach.
How the location decision is made
The venue selection process considers broadcast timing, artist availability, arena availability, and sponsor activation opportunities. iHeartRadio works closely with iHeartMedia’s television partners and production teams to choose a location that balances seating capacity, technical requirements, and audience accessibility. This often favors major markets with reliable transportation and lodging, which helps both live attendees and remote viewers. Because the awards are tied to iHeartMedia’s radio and streaming platforms, aligning the location with markets where the brand has strong presence is a practical advantage.
Impact of location on tickets and access
The city and venue directly affect ticket availability, pricing, and eligibility. Large arena venues typically allow for broader allocation of tickets to radio listeners, fan-club members, and sponsors, while theater venues may offer a more limited guest list. Fans should watch official iHeartRadio channels for announcements related to on-sale windows, eligibility requirements, and any regional restrictions. Because the ceremony is often televised live, geographic location also shapes broadcast timing, which can affect how international fans experience the show.
Future direction and stability
As of now, the iHeartRadio Music Awards continues to favor established venues in major cities, particularly in Los Angeles, to ensure continuity for production, talent travel, and audience planning. Organizers weigh new cities for special editions or promotional pushes, but consistency remains a priority for brand alignment and viewership. Unless broadcast strategies or partnership goals shift significantly, the ceremony is expected to remain anchored in locations that simplify logistics and maximize reach for iHeartMedia’s platforms.
Quick takeaways
- The Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall in Los Angeles has been a primary venue in recent years.
- The Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles has also been used for more intimate configurations.
- Venue choices balance capacity, broadcast needs, talent logistics, and sponsor presence.
- Location decisions influence ticket access, timing, and international availability.
- Expect continuity unless iHeartRadio or partners announce a deliberate shift in strategy.