The 86th NFL Draft will take place in Cleveland in 2021. Free Draft events will bring fans together at iconic downtown locations around FirstEnergy Stadium, including the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and on the shore of Lake Erie.
"Cleveland has a passionate fan base and the city offers iconic locations and attractions that will bring the NFL Draft experience to fans in unique and exciting ways," said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. "We look forward to collaborating with the Cleveland Browns, the city of Cleveland, Greater Cleveland Sports Commission and Destination Cleveland to celebrate the achievements of the next generation of players and create a memorable fan experience."
As part of the event, the NFL Draft Experience — a massive free football festival — will let fans of all teams test their football skills, enjoy interactive exhibits and autograph sessions and take pictures with the Vince Lombardi Trophy. The Draft Experience will be open all three days of the event.
"We are incredibly honored to be able to showcase the city of Cleveland and the passion of Browns fans through the unique international platform the NFL Draft provides," said Dee and Jimmy Haslam.
"We are well-known as a city with passionate sports fans,” said Mayor Frank G. Jackson. “We look forward to hosting the Draft and showcasing Cleveland's ability to organize successful, world-class events."
The NFL Draft has become one of the biggest and most-anticipated sporting events of the year. The 2019 Draft in Nashville was the highest-rated and most-watched Draft ever, eclipsing previous records set in 2018. The three-day broadcast attracted more than 47.5 million total viewers and over 600,000 in attendance.