LAS VEGAS—In 2020, like most major brands, the NFL went virtual, hosting its annual draft via videoconference. In 2021, the league returned in person with a pared-down version of the event in Cleveland that featured a select number of players and an "inner circle" of vaccinated fans in attendance.
This year, the 87th edition of the event, held April 28-30 along the Las Vegas Strip, came back bigger and better. (It was originally slated to be held in Vegas in 2020, but was derailed due to the pandemic.)
The event’s fan fest, known as the NFL Draft Experience, was set up around The High Roller, a giant, 550-foot-tall Ferris wheel, while the red carpet was built on the Fountains of Bellagio, where prospect interviews offered fans a first look at the soon-to-be NFL stars. Several other resorts also got in on the action by placing black eye stickers (like those worn by NFL players) on landmarks, including the lion at MGM Grand, the sphinx at Luxor Hotel & Casino, the David statue at Caesars Palace, and more.
As for the brands, Bud Light, serving as the draft’s presenting sponsor, hosted a concert series that was open to the public. P&G helped the draft prospects look sharp with a styling lounge. And Prime Video celebrated its Thursday Night Football contract with a broadcast desk where attendees were able to play announcer.
See more from the 2022 NFL Draft in Las Vegas.
NFL Draft Experience: The NFL’s interactive park featured immersive exhibits, sponsor activations, and merchandise at the NFL Shop presented by Visa. Attractions included the FedEx Air Challenge, where attendees could show off their quarterback skills; the youth-focused Play 60 Zone; Invisalign-branded photo frames; and presentations of Super Bowl rings and the Raiders’ Vince Lombardi trophies. Verizon, the presenting sponsor of the NFL Network’s draft coverage, staged a “5G Challenge,” where fans were tasked with finding their way out of rooms using 5G smart home technology.Photo: Steve Luciano/AP Images for NFL
Fans of the host team Las Vegas Raiders and teams in their division plus the Super Bowl champion Rams and teams in their division sat center stage inside the Draft Theater.Photo: Ben Liebenberg via AP
NFL Draft Concert Series presented by Bud Light: Last year, Bud Light renewed its contract with the NFL to remain the official beer and hard seltzer sponsor through the 2026-27 season. With the renewed contract, Bud Light also became the official presenting sponsor of the 2022 NFL Draft, giving the brand exclusive rights to sponsor events, including the NFL Draft Concert Series, which took place at the Draft Theater. The free performances included Weezer, Ice Cube, and Marshmello.Photo: Jeff Lewis/AP Images for NFL
Prime Video’s Thursday Night Football Activation: To celebrate the upcoming arrival of Thursday Night Football (TNF) on Prime Video, the streaming service hosted an on-site activation at the Draft Experience where attendees were able to step into a studio and sit behind a special broadcast desk. Featuring stage lights, a variety of props including helmets, coffee mugs, and cue cards plus a producer, fans could call the first Prime Video game. The video was then sent to the attendees with Thursday Night Football branding, making it easy to share on social media.Photo: Courtesy of Prime Video
During the activation, the LA Chargers and the Kansas City Chiefs were announced as the two teams who will be competing in the first TNF matchup on September 15.Photo: Courtesy of Prime Video
NFL Draft Red Carpet: The NFL’s top prospects showed off their looks on the red carpet at the Fountains of Bellagio before heading to the theater where player picks took place.Photo: Courtesy of P&G
P&G Style Lounge: Leading up to the NFL Draft, prospects were able to visit the P&G Style Lounge at the Delano Las Vegas, which offered grooming, laundry, and pampering services for top draft picks and their families. Featuring the consumer goods corporation’s hallmark brands like GilletteLabs, Head & Shoulders, Old Spice, and Tide Cleaners, athletes could stop by for haircuts and styling by celebrity barber Vic Blends, shaves, facials, manicures, pedicures, massages, and garment pressing and cleaning.Photo: Courtesy of P&G
Gronk Beach: NFL star Rob Gronkowski hosted an impressive pool party during NFL Draft weekend at the Encore Beach Club at Wynn Las Vegas. Headlined by The Chainsmokers, the sold-out April 29 event was produced by Medium Rare and boasted more than 4,400 guests.Photo: Courtesy of Medium Rare
In partnership with Gronk Beach, Pepsi Stronger Together, a grassroots initiative that creates programming to support communities around the country, donated $1 per ticket sold to a local military nonprofit. Pepsi Stronger Together also hosted 100 active-duty U.S. military personnel, members of the U.S. military reserve, and veterans at Gronk Beach.Photo: Courtesy of Medium Rare
Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover model and Gronkowski’s girlfriend Camille Kostek hosted a custom glam bar experience.Photo: Courtesy of Medium Rare
