Las Vegas is going all-in on NFL Draft spirit

Las Vegas is primed to host its first NFL Draft — and the city is getting in the NFL spirit with support for their hometown team, the Las Vegas Raiders.

The coronavirus pandemic has put countless events on hold, including what was supposed to be a 2020 NFL Draft hosted in Las Vegas.

Now, Draft Day has finally arrived in Las Vegas, and the flamboyant city spared no detail nor expense in showing their NFL pride. Vegas landmarks sported Raiders gear, while the statue outside of Caesar’s Palace is now draped in NFL Draft gear.

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No city does the NFL Draft quite like Vegas

For 60 years, the NFL Draft was exclusively held in New York City, but since then, the league has opened up to allow cities to bid to become future draft locations.

According to The New York Times, “Chicago, Philadelphia, Nashville, Dallas and Cleveland have hosted the event, which will be in Kansas City, Mo., in 2023.” While AFC West rivals rooting for the Kansas City Chiefs will be able to claim next year’s draft, this year belongs to the Las Vegas Raiders.

The Vegas Draft also helps to solidify the city’s reputation as a growing capital for sports entertainment. Las Vegas has become a hub for the UFC universe, with the famous Octagon being located in the area.

Boxing and fighting matches make sense for a city renowned for gambling opportunities, but Las Vegas is quickly becoming a hotspot for NFL activity. The Raiders fount a new home at the radiant Allegiant Stadium, which is where the 2021 Pro Bowl was hosted. Allegiant Stadium has also been chosen to host the 2024 Super Bowl, so if the Raiders make the big game in two years, they could become the third NFL team in history to play a Super Bowl game at home.

Considering that the last two teams to play home Super Bowls both won, perhaps 2024 could be a lucky year for the Las Vegas Raiders — and that Vegas luck could rub off on the draftees as they await the beginning of their NFL careers.