The Grammy Awards are expected to return to New York in 2018 for the first time in over 10 years. An official decision has not been announced, but those familiar with the city’s bid for the ceremony confirmed it’s in the works. Mayor Bill de Blasio has been working to lure the Recording Academy back to New York for the 60th anniversary.
Since its beginning in 1959, The Grammy’s have been hosted in either New York or Los Angeles. Unfortunately for New York, the event has not returned to the city since 2003. There is word that the Grammy’s will return to Madison Square Garden for the 2018 ceremony. Rosemary Boeglin, a spokeswoman for the mayor, told New York Times:
“After a 15-year absence, we’re confident New York City is the rightful home for the Grammys’ 60th anniversary.”
According to the Recording Academy, one of the major reasons for keeping the ceremony in Los Angeles is production costs. It costs several million dollars more to produce the Grammy’s in New York. The Staples Center in Los Angeles was also specifically designed to host the ceremony.
Though the city itself will not play a role in hosting the event, the mayor’s office has been working to bring in sponsors. Adidas is one of the sponsors being courted for the 2018 event. The Recording Academy will be responsible for the additional costs to move the event back to the east coast. Neda Azarfar, a spokeswoman for the Recording Academy, said in a statement:
“We’re thrilled the Recording Academy is in extensive discussions to return the Grammy Awards to NYC in 2018.”
A formal announcement from de Blasio regarding the 2018 ceremony is expected in the next few weeks. A dinner will be held Wednesday by the Recording Academy and the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment for further discussion on the matter.
The 59th Annual Grammy awards will be held on Feb. 12 in Los Angeles. On Dec. 6, the nominations will be announced. James Corden of “The Late Late Show” will be hosting the 2017 event.
