Grant Park Getting Ready For Expanded Draft Town
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The NFL Draft is back for a second year in Chicago, turning Grant Park into Draft Town and this year, it promises to be bigger and better than before.
CBS 2's Dorothy Tucker reports some of the action during the NFL Draft this weekend will be taking part on the Selection Square stage. You need a ticket to get a seat and most are gone, but a special NFL app can get you a free ticket to the event.
"Chicago has really embraced the draft," said Eric Finkelstein, NFL director of event operations. "We've very excited to be back for a second year."
The NFL is back because last year's the Chi-town draft was a huge success, 200,000 fans helped fill more than 36,000 hotel rooms and football lovers like Ida Gomez contributed to $82 million to Chicago's coffers.
"Everybody loves football," she said.
The Auditorium at Roosevelt University is where some of the draft action will take place and all eyes will be on the stage and screens.
"You'll see different logos and marks of that team and colors as well you'll see photos and imagery of the prospects as they're selected," said Finkelstein.
Lucky fans have already won all the free tickets to the Auditorium, but download the Fan Mobile Pass app for a chance to win last minute free tickets to Selection Square stage in the middle of Draft Town where some players will also learn their fate.
"They would receive notification on their phone that says, 'hey you're on the clock, go over to Selection Square,'" said Finkelstein.
But if you miss out on the coveted tickets there's actually more to see this year. Workers are putting the finishing touches on the exhibits, booths, states that cover the equivalent of 20 football fields, up from last year's 15 fields. But like last year, there are plenty of activities for adults and children.
Draft Town opens on Thursday at noon.