For the first time in over 50 years, Philadelphia has the honor of hosting the 82nd NFL Draft from April 27 to 29, 2017. Philadelphia has hosted the draft 11 times, with the most recent taking place in 1961. The very first NFL Draft took place at Philadelphia’s Ritz-Carlton on February 8, 1936. The selection consisted of nine rounds, zero team scouts, and no media coverage, and teams took turns picking from 90 names written on a blackboard.
The draft has come a long way since then! If you’re a Philly sports fan looking for things to do in Philadelphia, the NFL Draft Experience presented by Oikos Triple Zero is a can’t-miss event. The events will take place outdoors over the course of three days with an area totaling 25 football fields, including the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. A whopping 200,000+ fans are expected to participate, and fans of all ages are welcome. Admission is free, and no tickets are required to attend.
As the largest fan experience ever produced by NFL, sports fans looking for things to do in Philadelphia can expect a variety of activities and exhibits:
- 100-yard zip line
- NFL virtual reality exhibit
- Memorabilia in an NFL museum
- Photo ops with the Vince Lombardi trophy
- Access to media interviews with NFL greats
- Free player autograph sessions
The schedule for the NFL Draft Experience is as follows:
- Thursday, April 27: 12 to 11 p.m.
- Friday, April 28: 12 to 11 p.m.
- Saturday, April 29: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Get more information about the event here.
While you’re out looking for other fun things to do in Philadelphia, take the opportunity to participate in another one of Philly’s favorites: Geno’s Steaks. Come by with family and friends to enjoy the best cheesesteaks in Philly.