The NFL Draft Is Returning To Chicago In 2016

The 2016 NFL Draft will be held in Chicago for the second straight year, and the focus will be on the things that most folks enjoyed so much this past spring. Apparently the NFL was so impressed with how things went that rather than moving it to different cities, the league has decided to go back to the Windy City. According to a study by the Sports Industry Research Center at Temple University, the 2015 draft generated a total economic impact of $81.6 million for Chicago.

Tuesday afternoon, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel will hold a joint press conference to official announce that the 2016 NFL Draft will once again be taking place in Chicago on April 28-30.

Draft Town is back after the NFL Draft made its initial return to Chicago in 2015 following a 50-year hiatus. Despite cold weather, the Chicago location afforded the league an additional outdoor setting, Draft Town, for fans to hang out at. This was our challenge to our partners here in Chicago: How do we continue to raise the bar in 2016? “Our world class city will once again be transformed into Draft Town where NFL fans and players will gather as NFL teams make selections”. Mayor Emanuel also announced on ESPN1000 radio that the Auditorium Theatre will be used next year as well.

Goodell revealed last season that Chicago and Los Angeles were in the running to become the new draft hosts.

Emanuel lobbied hard to bring the 2015 draft to Chicago, believing it would be a big boost tourism.