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Las Vegas awarded the 2022 NFL Draft after coronavirus cancels 2020 festivities

By Matt Conner

NASHVILLE, TN - APRIL 27: NFL signage seen around Nashville during the St. Jude Rock 'n' Roll Marathon and ½ Marathon and the 2019 NFL Draft Experience on April 27, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Danielle Del Valle/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - APRIL 27: NFL signage seen around Nashville during the St. Jude Rock 'n' Roll Marathon and ½ Marathon and the 2019 NFL Draft Experience on April 27, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Danielle Del Valle/Getty Images) /
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The city of Las Vegas will get to make up for the tourism and revenues lost from the cancellation of the 2020 NFL Draft after being awarded the 2022 festivities.

There is a significant economic impact in a city that is awarded the chance to host the NFL Draft ever since the league decided to move it from Radio City Music Hall and turn it into a traveling experience for the whole family. Unfortunately for the city of Las Vegas, they were not able to enjoy the influx of tourism dollars and the constant attention on television as a destination due to the cancellation of all live festivities surrounding the 2020 NFL Draft, including the actual live selections, due to measures taken to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

In an effort to make good on the efforts of those who sought to bring the draft to Las Vegas in the first place, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced midway through the draft—specifically right before the Las Vegas Raiders pick at No. 19—that the city has been awarded the 2022 NFL Draft to make up for the loss of this year. This comes from a press release provided by the league:

"“I’m pleased to announce that Las Vegas will host the 2022 NFL Draft, where we look forward to holding an even bigger and better event than we could have ever imagined this year,” said NFL COMMISSIONER ROGER GOODELL, “Congratulations to Las Vegas, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, the Raiders’ organization and Raider Nation.”"

The city of Nashville, Tennessee was the recipient of an incredible amount of positive exposure and tourism spending during the 2019 NFL Draft and the economic impact was felt throughout the region. Cleveland is hoping for the same in 2021 as they’ve been selected to host next year’s draft event. Kansas City was also named a future site after many attempts to secure the event, and they will serve as host city in 2023—one year after the makeup year for Vegas.

The dates for the 2022 NFL Draft have not yet been set, but the main section of the draft will take place in and around the Caesar’s casino and event center along the famed Las Vegas strip.

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