PHOENIX — Promising a reimagined NFL Draft, Chicago officials said Wednesday they plan to turn the event into an outdoor fan festival unlike anything seen in New York.
The Auditorium Theater of Roosevelt University will host the draft from April 30-May 2, but the real party will be at Grant Park.
“This is about a much bigger fan experience,” Bears vice president of sales and marketing Chris Hibbs said. “It’s a regional thing. This is like a spring NFL pilgrimage for fans.”
The NFL will announce details in a few weeks, he said, but the plan is create a festival atmosphere at the park, complete with live music and even a meet-and-greet with draftees. Hibbs — who will scout the NFL’s Super Bowl fan activities this week — said the Bears will host their annual draft party nearby.
“I think the move to Chicago is the right move,” Bears linebacker Lance Briggs said. “I think Chicago will represent it extremely well and continue to embrace it for years to come.”
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