The NFL Draft is going to look a lot more normal this year.
The league announced on Monday that a select number of prospects, fans and media will be allowed on-site in Cleveland for the NFL Draft and its festivities the week of April 29-May 1.
The draft will be held across three locations — FirstEnergy Stadium, the Rock 7 Roll Hall of Fame and the Great Lakes Science Center.
There will be free events for fans, who will be required to wear face coverings and adhere to social distancing, in accordance with public officials at the state and local levels.
“We are thrilled to be heading to Cleveland for the NFL Draft, which has become one of the most highly anticipated events in sports,” Peter O’Reilly, NFL executive vice president, club business and league events, said. “Just months after executing a safe and successful Super Bowl LV, we look forward to bringing the excitement of our Draft traditions to fans in collaboration with the Browns, Destination Cleveland, Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, the City of Cleveland, and all of our local Cleveland partners.”
The NFL tweeted renderings of what the draft will look like in Cleveland, including the main stage set against the backdrop of Lake Erie.
The Draft Theatre will seat invited guests with a prime viewing zone of the main stage. This includes an exclusive “Inner Circle” zone, where fans will be chosen by each of the 32 NFL clubs and serve as the team’s draft ambassadors seated in the front row. The fans selected in this area must be fully vaccinated.
Headlining acts will also perform each day on the main stage.
Teams and their personnel involved in the draft will be able to gather in a draft room at a location of their choosing while following appropriate protocols.
There will still be a virtual component to the draft, too.
While select prospects will attend the event, more will be participating remotely from their homes around the country.
Last year, the NFL conducted a fully virtual draft that was rather successful during the heart of the coronavirus pandemic. They plan to build off some of last year’s success, particularly the 2020 Draft-A-Thon, to bring awareness to issues impacting communities most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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