The reason for the new choice of carpet is said to be to create a feeling that works both during the day and at night, according to staff on site at the rollout.
If you ask this year's gala host Jimmy Kimmel, he has a sourer answer.
- I think the choice of a champagne-colored carpet instead of red shows how sure we are that no blood will be spilled, he told the Reuters news agency.
The joke can be seen as a reference to last year when Will Smith ear-filed Chris Rock.
See when the carpet was rolled out in the clip above.