The Chiefs have been the source of great joy and success for almost half a decade in Kansas City. At this point, it's almost NFL royalty. It's home to arguably the league's best quarterback and tight end, as well as one of the top coaches. It's hosted big playoff games and Super Bowl parades.
In 2023, the city has been drafted to host the league's biggest offseason event -- the NFL Draft. The three-day event will kick off April 27 at 8 p.m. ET. This will be the first time K.C. has hosted the NFL Draft.
According to Forbes, the NFL is expecting around 300,000 visitors and $100 million in revenue for the local economy thanks to hotels, restaurants and more.
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The NFL has also announced where the draft will be held in 2024, with rumors swirling around 2025's likely host. The Sporting News has more information about those future drafts and their host cities.
Where is the NFL Draft in 2023?
The NFL Draft is taking its show on the road to the City of Fountains -- Kansas City. Deep into the "Heart of America," this area has seen plenty of success in recent years thanks to the dominance of the Chiefs.
In some ways, Kansas City has become the unofficial home of the AFC Championship Game with the event even being dubbed by some as the "Arrowhead Invitational."
The venues in Kansas City should be a familiar sight for NFL fans -- located at Union Station and the World War I Museum and Memorial, the home of the Chiefs' Super Bowl celebrations in 2020 and 2023.
NFL fans can once again expect free entry into the NFL Draft Experience -- which allows fans to pose for pictures with the Lombardi Trophy, visit autograph booths and take part in an interactive football theme park. Fans can also get a feel for what game days are like in Kansas City thanks to the Chiefs Kingdom Experience, where they can run out of the tunnel, meet cheerleaders and take pictures with the Chiefs' mascot.
When you're done with all of that, the league will also have a tailgate concessions area, allowing visitors to enjoy all of the Kansas City cuisine they can handle.
Of course, part of the experience is also watching the picks be announced as NFL Draft prospects live out their dreams -- which is something that fans can enjoy, too.
NFL Draft tickets 2023
The NFL Draft itself is open only to "invited ticket holders," according to the league, though fans who have registered for the NFL Draft Experience could be selected for standing-room attendance as it might become available.
Fans can register to attend the NFL Draft Experience, which is free for all ages, here. The NFL Draft Experience will be open the following hours:
- Thursday: Noon to 10 p.m. CT
- Friday: Noon to 10 p.m. CT
- Saturday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT
MORE: Buy NFL tickets via TicketSmarter
Future NFL Draft locations
| Year | NFL Draft site |
| 2023 | Kansas City, Mo. |
| 2024 | Detroit |
| 2025 | TBD |
2024 NFL Draft: Detroit
After the draft leaves the picturesque fountains of Kansas City it'll travel to the Motor City in 2024. Dan Campbell's gritty Lions will be the hosts for next year's event in Detroit, which is known for its blue-collar mentality.
It represents an opportunity for Detroit to give the world a glimpse into their comeback, shedding a reputation as a failed city following many decades of success in the American auto industry.
With an up-and-coming Lions team, they are doing their part in turning that narrative around. In some ways, the turning tides began in 2022 with the Lions finally getting the better of their previously one-sided rivalry with the Packers. That also includes off-the-field too, since Detroit was awarded the 2024 NFL Draft ahead of a bid from Green Bay.
In previous years, the NFL Draft has become the source of big economic wins for the host cities -- reportedly generating at least $100 million for the local economies, multiple times.
The event in 2024 is expected to be hosted around Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza.
2025 NFL Draft: TBD
To this point, there have been no indications of when the NFL is planning to announce the 2025 host city. By all accounts though, Green Bay is still pushing to win the bid -- with Packers President Mark Murphy saying last year he believes they will be awarded the draft in 2025 or 2027.
While Green Bay might not have the big skyline and population, it would be fun to see the NFL Draft in the league's smallest market at historic Lambeau Field. If they get the necessary infrastructure in place, there's no doubt that fans would enjoy a chance to watch the NFL's next stars be welcomed into the league from the small Wisconsin neighborhood. Sign us up.
