PROSPECT HEIGHTS — The Barclays Center will host MTV's Video Music Awards this year, bringing a major awards show to Brooklyn for the first time ever, arena officials said.
The awards show, which usually attracts a who's who of music world luminaries, will be televised live from the Barclays Center on Aug. 25.
"MTV’s 'Video Music Awards' are the perfect culmination to an incredible inaugural year for Barclays Center,” Brett Yormark, CEO of Barclays Center, said in a statement. "The VMAs are a symbol of pop culture and have created iconic moments worldwide in music and entertainment. Brooklyn has become an international brand and is the perfect setting for these moments. We can't wait to share our stage with the world."
Mayor Michael Bloomberg said the show would bring an economic boost. "Bringing the VMAs to Brooklyn will mean hundreds of jobs as crews work on the production and provide a boost to our local economy as attendees stay in hotels, visit local eateries and experience all Brooklyn and our city have to offer," Bloomberg said in a statement.
The Video Music Awards, which will celebrate its 30th year this year, has been the setting for memorable pop culture moments such as a kiss between Britney Spears and Madonna and Beyoncé's 2011 announcement that she was pregnant.
Hip-hop mogul Jay-Z is a part owner of the arena and opened the venue in September 2012 with a series of concerts. Since then it's hosted big name acts such as Justin Bieber and the Rolling Stones.
