Expanded Draft Town, fan festivities surround 2016 NFL Draft in Chicago
There will be no shortage of football and fun when the 2016 NFL Draft hits Chicago this week.
Draft Town, a free three-day outdoor festival running April 28-30 in Grant Park, features new experiences and interactive attractions for football fans of all ages.
“We are excited to return to Chicago and look forward to creating an even better Draft Town experience for our fans,” said NFL Vice President of Events Mary Pat Augenthaler. “Spanning the size of more than 20 football fields, the expanded Draft Town celebration will feature new interactive elements, including an NFL-themed Ferris wheel, the College Football Corner exhibit, the latest virtual reality technology and more.”
Draft Town hours are noon to 10 p.m. Thursday and Friday, April 28-29, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 30, in Grant Park and Congress Plaza.
Next to Buckingham Fountain, Selection Square Drive is the epicenter of the draft, featuring 32 team tables where NFL team representatives will make their draft selections over the three days.
This year, the area has improved sight lines for fans with a larger stage and more standing room, as well as opportunities for fans to win prizes.
On Thursday and Friday, the NFL draft picks will be announced inside the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, where the teams' new players will be introduced to much fanfare.
Last spring, the theater hosted the first three rounds of the draft, the first time it was held outside of New York in more than 50 years.
“We are honored, for the second year, to have this iconic national landmark host the NFL Draft and represent Chicago to the country,” says theater spokeswoman Colleen Flanigan.
For fans outside at the football festival, there's plenty to do. Families can take pictures with the Vince Lombardi Trophy, ride on the Draft Ferris wheel, play NFL games via virtual reality technology and try a Taste of the Town tailgate.
Visitors can also see a replica NFL locker room, an NFL exhibit featuring historical Bears memorabilia and a College Football Hall of Fame corner.
Many current players and legends, including Dick Butkus, Orlando Pace, Jim Kelly, Willie Brown, Larry Csonka and Daunte Culpepper, will provide free autographs during designated sessions throughout the draft, too.
For the athletically inclined, adults and kids can test their athletic skills at the Combine Corner. Attractions include a vertical jump and a 40-yard dash. The 60 Clinic Field will host free youth football clinics for kids ages 6-14 on a first-come, first-served basis.
The NFL Play 60 zone is an interactive area designed for the youngest fans, with an obstacle course, a long snap, an extra point kick and a quarterback challenge.
There's also a free Family Football Clinic from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday, April 30, at the Play 60 clinic field, where families can participate in tackling drills. Registration begins at 9 a.m.
Also on Saturday, the NFL will host the second annual NFL FLAG Football Festival in Grant Park, an event open to kids and adults, with games played on Hutchinson Fields. Teams can register at nflflagfestival.com in various categories.
And, of course, fans will be able to watch NFL Network analysts break down the draft and watch ESPN's SportsCenter live from Draft Town.
Probably the best way to navigate Draft Town is on the NFL Draft app, which can be downloaded at nfl.com/DraftApp.
For details on Draft Town attractions, events and hours, see nfl.com/DraftTown.
NFL Draft Town
Events: Noon to 10 p.m. Thursday and Friday, April 28-29, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 30
Where: Outside in Grant Park and Congress Plaza and inside the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress Parkway, Chicago
Cost: Draft Town activities are free; online contest for indoor draft tickets
Info:
Watching the NFL Draft: It will be broadcast in its entirety on NFL Network and ESPN/ESPN2. The Draft will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 28; 6 p.m. Friday, April 29; and 11 a.m. Saturday, April 30