A semblance of normalcy will be felt for this year’s 2021 NFL Draft in Cleveland.
The NFL announced Monday that a select number of prospects, fans and media crews will be on-site as the league welcomes this year’s rookie class. The three-day event — from April 29 to May 1 — will offer free events for fans in accordance with public officials at the state and local levels to help ensure a safe and successful draft. Fans attending draft activities will be required to wear face coverings and adhere to appropriate physical distancing.
The 86th annual draft will be held across three iconic locations in downtown Cleveland, including FirstEnergy Stadium, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Great Lakes Science Center.
The main stage of the NFL draft will be set against the backdrop of Lake Erie and serve as the central hub of this year’s festivities. It is there where NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will make the pick announcements and greet top selections once their names are called. Although the league will be able to continue its ongoing tradition of the draft this year, the NFL is building on the success of last year’s virtual draft with additional prospects participating remotely from their homes around the country.
Club personnel involved in the selection process will be permitted to gather in a draft room at a location of their choosing, whether that be their facility or elsewhere while following appropriate protocols.
As the NFL aims to provide an entertaining live event, the league will be utilizing its learnings and protocols from the fan experiences held in Tampa Bay this past February for Super Bowl LV to ensure it’s a safe proceeding. The NFL Draft Experience — the NFL’s interactive football theme park — will be free and open to the public around FirstEnergy Stadium during all three days of the draft. In order to manage capacity, reservations will be required to attend the free Draft Experience through the NFL OnePass app, which will be available for download the week of March 29.