NFL To Host 2020 Draft On Las Vegas Strip At Bellagio FountainsDraftees Will Be Shuttled By Boat To The Stage |
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The NFL announced its plans yesterday for the upcoming draft which is scheduled to take place April 23-25 in Las Vegas. It’s arguably the biggest spectacle the event has ever seen.
The red carpet stage for the draft will be set up on the water in front of the Bellagio fountains. After having their name called by Roger Goodell, players will be transported by boat to get to the stage, receive their jersey, hat and take pictures.
Arash Markazi of the Los Angeles Times, tweeted renderings of the entire setup.
The stage for the 2020 NFL Draft in Las Vegas will be on the water at the Fountains of Bellagio. The players will be transported to the stage by boat. pic.twitter.com/8sVl8p2ZBx
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) January 21, 2020
The league is intending to make the draft an experience that spans across multiple strip properties. Aside from the red carpet stage at the Bellagio, the NFL Draft’s main stage will be built next to the Caesars Forum, behind the Linq Hotel and Casino.
The main stage is where the league is encouraging fans to watch the draft. It will also host daily performances by headlining acts throughout the three-day event. The NFL Draft Experience will be located next to the main stage and will have interactive games for fans, as well as a few more musical performances.
Located adjacent to the NFL Draft Main Stage there will be the NFL Draft Experience, a 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. pic.twitter.com/xUef5i9SjI
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) January 22, 2020
With the influx of the estimated 400,000 football fans that are expected to attend the event, the Las Vegas Review-Journal is reporting that the city will close the strip for the entirety of the event, allowing pedestrians to easily maneuver through the experience.
Historically, the draft has been held inside at a famous venue. From 1995-2004, it was held at Madison Square Garden in New York City before spending a year at the Jacob Javits Center and then at Radio City Music Hall from 2006-2014.
Last year, when the event was held in Downtown Nashville, the league started implementing outdoor stages. This will be the first time in league history, however, that draft picks will need to be shuttled to the stage.
BREAKING: NFL to have 2050 draft on Moon. Will transport draftees to and from lunar landing pad by modified space shuttle. #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/6YgtK0gHsg
— Nick Falco (@NickFalco55) January 21, 2020
Rounds 5-7 pic.twitter.com/xeqTJMwpw8
— BearFlagFan (@BearFlagFan) January 21, 2020
Historically, the league has been anti-gambling and against anything even related to Las Vegas. That has changed in recent years with the Raiders scheduled to relocate from Oakland to Sin City for the upcoming season and the NFL securing a partnership with Caesars Entertainment a year ago.