It’s time to make plans to attend the NFL Draft Experience to be held April 23-25 in Las Vegas.
This massive, free football festival celebrating all National Football League teams allows fans of all ages, and of all teams, to test their football skills, enjoy interactive exhibits, autograph sessions and take pictures with the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
In the last few years, the NFL Draft Experience has exploded in popularity as an entertainment event. It has become a must-attend gathering spot for football fans to celebrate their teams and the sport.
Coming West
The last time the NFL draft was held this far West was in 1956 at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles.
This will be the first time the draft will be held in Las Vegas. For the last two decades, the draft has resided mostly in New York. Chicago; Philadelphia; Dallas; and Nashville, Tenn., have hosted the NFL Draft Experience in recent years.
Cleveland has been selected to host the 2021 NFL draft and Kansas City, Kan., will host the 2023 NFL draft. Experts predict the 2022 NFL draft will most likely be held in Los Angeles. The new SoFi Stadium in Inglewood is expected to be completed by July, and would have the facilities in place to host the NFL Draft Experience in two years.
Las Vegas 2020
The 85th NFL draft will be held on, and around, the iconic Las Vegas Strip. The Las Vegas Raiders’ new stadium, Allegiant Stadium, is under construction and is expected to open in time for the former Oakland Raiders first home game in early September.
“The Raiders are very excited for Las Vegas and are proud to help host the 2020 NFL Draft,” said Raiders owner Mark Davis.
The citywide celebration will kickoff on the Las Vegas Strip with immersive activities, live entertainment and performances at the NFL Draft Red Carpet, NFL Draft Main Stage and NFL Draft Experience.
NFL draft
Taking advantage of an iconic Las Vegas Strip location, the NFL Draft Main Stage will be constructed next to the Caesars Forum. The Draft Main Stage location is free and open to the public, and fans are encouraged to gather at the Draft Main Stage viewing zone to watch the draft selections.
First-round selections of the 2020 NFL Draft will open on Thursday, April 23 with the official NFL Draft Red Carpet, which will be constructed on the famed Fountains of Bellagio. Starting at 2:30 p.m., attending prospects will make their debut on the carpet. New this year, the red carpet will feature the Draft Red Carpet Stage.
The first 31 players will be selected by their teams, and, if in attendance, will be greeted on the draft stage with a jersey and hat of their new NFL team by Commissioner of the National Football League Roger Goodell.
Rounds two and three of the draft will be held Friday, April 24 with the final rounds, four to seven, held on Saturday, April 25.
The main stage will also host daily performances by headlining acts throughout the draft.
All three days of the draft will be broadcast on NFL Network, ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ABC, including two nights of primetime coverage on Thursday and Friday.
The experience
Located adjacent to the NFL Draft Main Stage, the NFL Draft Experience will be a free, three-day football festival highlighted by interactive games, the Vince Lombardi Trophy, autograph sessions with NFL players and legends, brand activations, giveaways and the NFL shop.
At the center of the action will be the NFL Draft Experience Stage, which will feature special performances by Las Vegas talent as well as interactive NFL-themed experiences.
Operating hours of the NFL Draft Experience:
Thursday, April 23 oon to 9 p.m., or the end of round one.
Friday, April 24 oon to 9 p.m., or the end of round three
Saturday, April 25 a.m. to 6 p.m., or the end of round seven
For information on special VIP NFL Draft packages, visit nflonlocation.com/nfldraft. For NFL Draft Experience information, visit www.visitlasvegas.com/nfl-draft-2020.
