The Shrine Auditorium has stood near the University of Southern California campus in Los Angeles since 1926, its Moorish Revival domes and arches making it one of the city’s most recognizable performance landmarks. Designed by theater architect G. Albert Lansburgh, the building was constructed for the Al Malaikah Shrine Temple and quickly grew into one of the largest and most ornate auditoriums in the country.
Beyond its architectural pedigree, the Shrine has become synonymous with Hollywood’s biggest nights, hosting the Academy Awards, Grammy Awards, Emmy Awards, and BET Awards over the decades, while also welcoming touring musicians from Elvis Presley to Radiohead. Today the venue operates under promoter Goldenvoice, hosting concerts, ceremonies, and film premieres inside its massive proscenium stage and adjoining Expo Hall.
Quick Answer
The Shrine Auditorium is a 6,300-seat concert hall and event space at 665 W. Jefferson Blvd in Los Angeles, next to USC, open since 1926. It’s best known for hosting the Academy Awards, Grammy Awards, and Emmy Awards, plus touring concerts booked by Goldenvoice; its adjoining Expo Hall adds roughly 5,000 more capacity for standing-room shows.
A Stage Built for Spectacle
The Shrine’s auditorium features what is often cited as the largest proscenium-style stage with a freestanding balcony in North America, a scale that made it a natural home for televised award shows needing room for orchestras, elaborate sets, and packed audiences. Its Moorish Revival exterior, with domes, minarets, and horseshoe arches, sets it apart from the more streamlined movie palaces built elsewhere in Los Angeles during the same era.
The complex also includes the Shrine Expo Hall, a roughly 54,000-square-foot flexible event space that has been used for concerts, trade shows, and film shoots, expanding the venue’s role beyond formal ceremonies into general-purpose entertainment programming.
Seating Chart & Capacity
The main auditorium seats about 6,300 people across two main levels: roughly 2,960 orchestra-level seats and a similarly sized balcony, plus a handful of box and loge seats close to the stage. Because the hall was built for both live theater and broadcast television, sightlines are generally strong throughout, though seats far under the balcony overhang can feel more enclosed during large productions.
The Shrine Expo Hall, located alongside the auditorium, is typically configured for general-admission, standing-room shows and holds around 5,000 patrons. For a seat-by-seat layout before buying tickets, check the interactive seating map on the ticketing platform for your specific event, since configurations can shift by show.
Planning Your Visit: Tickets, Parking & Box Office
Tickets for most Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall events are sold through Ticketmaster or AXS, where you can see pricing tiers, seating maps, and official resale listings for a specific show. The venue also runs an in-person box office at 700 W. 32nd St., open on the last Thursday of each month from 12–5pm, accepting cash and credit card — a useful option for avoiding online service fees when it’s open.
Parking is available in three venue-adjacent lots: the Shrine West Lot (715 W. Jefferson Blvd), the North Parking Structure (714 W. 32nd St., which includes EV charging stations), and the USC Shrine Structure (686 W. 32nd St.). Advance parking passes can be purchased through AXS alongside event tickets, which is worth doing for high-demand shows. The Metro E Line’s Jefferson/USC station sits about a five-minute walk away and is a convenient alternative to driving.
Bag policies at the Shrine restrict oversized bags — generally anything larger than about 14″ x 14″ x 6″ — along with items like laptops, instruments, and professional cameras, though exact restrictions can vary by event and promoter. Because policies, hours, and prices change, always confirm current details on the official Shrine Auditorium website before you go.
From Old Hollywood to Modern Concerts
Through the mid-20th century, the Shrine became a go-to venue for the Academy Awards and other major broadcasts before those ceremonies moved to dedicated theaters. It also built a rich concert history, hosting Elvis Presley’s early Los Angeles performances in the 1950s and multiple Grateful Dead shows in the late 1960s.
In recent years, promoter Goldenvoice has booked the Shrine for touring acts and reunion shows, including a widely noted My Chemical Romance concert in 2019. The building has also hosted movie premieres, including for major studio releases, keeping it active as both a historic landmark and a working entertainment venue.
Accessibility
All entrances to the Shrine Auditorium are wheelchair accessible, with ADA seating available in multiple sections of both the orchestra and balcony levels. Elevators are located in the north and south lobbies, and accessible restrooms are available in the main downstairs lobby. Guests who need a sign language interpreter should request one through the venue at least two weeks before their event.
Photos
Packs smaller than a water bottle — a real seat for lawn shows and festival sets.
Protects little ears at concerts, fireworks and loud race days.
Instant crowd energy for night shows, festivals and tailgates.
Shrine Auditorium FAQs
When did the Shrine Auditorium open?
The Shrine Auditorium opened on January 23, 1926, in the University Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, next to the USC campus.
How many people does the Shrine Auditorium hold?
The main auditorium seats about 6,300 people, while the adjoining Expo Hall can hold around 5,000 patrons for standing-room events.
What awards shows have been held at the Shrine Auditorium?
The Shrine has hosted the Academy Awards, Grammy Awards, Emmy Awards, SAG Awards, and BET Awards, among other major ceremonies.
Where do I buy tickets for the Shrine Auditorium?
Most events are ticketed through Ticketmaster or AXS. The venue also operates an in-person box office at 700 W. 32nd St. on the last Thursday of each month.
Where should I park for a show at the Shrine Auditorium?
The closest lots are the Shrine West Lot on Jefferson Blvd and the North Parking Structure and USC Shrine Structure on W. 32nd St., all within a short walk of the venue; advance parking can be purchased through AXS.
What is the Shrine Auditorium’s address?
The Shrine Auditorium is located at 665 W. Jefferson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90007.
Is the Shrine Auditorium wheelchair accessible?
Yes. All entries are accessible, ADA seating is available in multiple sections, and elevators and accessible restrooms are located in the main lobbies.
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