BET has announced that the 2021 BET Awards will return on Sunday, June 27. The live ceremony will take place at the Microsoft Theater at L.A. Live in Los Angeles. It will return with a live studio audience after being virtual last year due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

“Since the beginning of the pandemic, BET has been at the forefront of recovery efforts for our community, turning entertainment touchpoints into opportunities to empower our audiences and help combat the disproportionate impacts of COVID-19,” said BET President Scott Mills. “Vaccination rates among Black Americans are significantly lower than other communities.  We are committed to using our signature programming event – The BET Awards – to encourage vaccination in our community.”

Connie Orlando, EVP Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy at BET will oversee the awards and will executive produce with Jesse Collins.

The 2020 ceremony was the first official award show to be produced during the pandemic and was the No. 1 award show on cable for the sixth consecutive calendar year.

Vaccinated individuals can register for consideration to be in the audience at the ceremony beginning May 27.

This year’s nominees will be announced at a later date.