Las Vegas will get the NFL draft -- in 2022.
Forced to not hold the 2020 NFL draft in Nevada because of the coronavirus pandemic, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced Thursday night that the event will be staged in Vegas in two years.
Goodell made the announcement ahead of the Las Vegas Raiders' second pick in the first round, which they used to take Ohio State corner Damon Arnette at 19th overall. The team will begin playing in Las Vegas this fall after leaving Oakland.
"Congratulations to Mark Davis, Raiders organization and Raiders Nation," Goodell said after mistakenly saying Vegas would host the 2020 draft during the virtual draft. "We look forward to being there."
The NFL had planned a glitzy, star-studded draft in the Nevada desert before it was forced to call it off and switch to a virtual format last month.
The efforts were to be centered on Caesars Palace and the Bellagio hotels, with the main stage constructed at Caesars Forum. That stage also was to host daily performances by a variety of entertainers for all three days.
The league said those plans will remain in place for 2022, while additional elements and plans for 2022 will be revealed later.
"We're thrilled the NFL has given us the opportunity to host the draft in Las Vegas in 2022, while disappointed we were unable to bring this exciting event to life this year," said Steve Hill, CEO and president of the Las Vegas convention and visitors authority. "We plan to make the 87th annual NFL draft an 'only Vegas' experience football fans will never forget."
The NFL began moving the draft to different cities in 2015, going to Chicago for two years, Philly, Dallas and Nashville. Most of the league's cities, particularly those that won't likely host a Super Bowl, have shown interest in having it. Next year, Cleveland gets the assignment and Kansas City has it in 2023.