The Academy of Country Music has recognized the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, which operates the Hard Rock Live entertainment venue, with an industry award in the casino of the year-theater category. The award is presented to an “outstanding theater or showroom within a casino.”

It’s the first such award for the Hard Rock Hollywood. The Academy of Country Music made the announcement in a news release June 26. The industry awards recognize venues that have “promoted a predetermined number of country music concerts and helped promote country music sales,” the release said.

Hard Rock Hollywood’s $100 million, 7,000 seat, Hard Rock Live opened in 2019 as part of a $1.5 billion property expansion that includes the 450-foot Guitar Hotel. The venue has since hosted many acts, including those in country music, such as Brantley Gilbert, The Judds, Jason Aldean, Kane Brown, Old Dominion, Randy Houser, Elle King and Dustin Lynch.

“This prestigious recognition by the Academy of Country Music is an honor and testament to the incredible work by our team members to provide the most incredible experience to all visitors, artists and fans alike,” Jim Allen, chairman of Hard Rock International and CEO of Seminole Gaming, said in a statement June 27.

Those competing with Hard Rock Hollywood for the honor were the Deadwood Mountain Grand (South Dakota), Golden Nugget (Louisiana), Resorts World Theater (Las Vegas) and the Soaring Eagle (Michigan).

The industry award winners are scheduled to be celebrated during the 16th Academy of Country Music Honors event Aug. 23 at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. The Academy of Country Music was established in 1964 and is headquartered in Nashville.

The Seminole Tribe is the parent entity of Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming. More is at hardrock.com and theseminolecasinos.com.