Philadelphia is the host city of the 2017 NFL Draft. Check out a sneak peek of how the Ben Franklin Parkway is transforming into the center of the NFL universe ...
The main stage for the NFL Draft is being built just beyond the Rocky statue which is at the base of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Construction workers continue to craft the main stage of the NFL Draft with the Rocky statue in the foreground.
When the NFL chose Philadelphia to host the 2017 NFL Draft, the league insisted on holding the three-day event at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in front of the iconic Rocky steps.
Mayor Jim Kenney and city officials expect about 200,000 people to visit the NFL Draft and fan festivities along the Ben Franklin Parkway.
A tourist poses for a photo in front of the Rocky statue as the stage for the NFL Draft is being built.
The NFL Draft provides the opportunity for Philadelphia to be showcased as one of the most walkable cities in the country.
The Philadelphia Museum of Art remans open during the construction along the Ben Franklin Parkway.
A tourist does the Rocky pose at the top of the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. In the Academy Award-winning movie, Rocky Balboa, who was played by Sylvester Stallone, ran up the steps and did his iconic celebration which is recreated by fans to this day.
As the NFL Draft main stage is being built, construction on the Comcast Innovation & Technology Center continues in the background.
This is a rendering of the entrance to the NFL Draft Experience. Over 200,000 fans of all ages are expected to pass through this gate during the NFL Draft.
This is a rendering of the NFL Draft main stage, which all eyes will be on come Thursday night when the first round gets underway.
The 2017 NFL Draft begins this Thursday along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, incorporating famed city landmarks such as The Franklin Institute and the iconic steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. For the first time, the NFL is constructing an open-air theater where fans can view all three Draft days in an outdoor environment. This unique setup will allow for the largest live audience ever to view the team selections.
The Ben Franklin Parkway is being transformed into a football nirvana with amazing activities for fans of all ages. The FREE three-day festival will take place rain or shine in an expansive outdoor area the size of 25 football fields. No tickets are needed. Here is your game plan for a fun time in Philadelphia!
1. Download The NFL Draft - Fan Mobile Pass App Now!
From maps of the NFL Draft Experience and the full lineup of activities, download the Fan Mobile Pass app. In fact, there are exclusive activities that only fans with the Fan Mobile Pass will be able to activate resulting in the chance to win some great prizes.
Looking for a map of the NFL Draft Experience? You can access it here.
2. When Is The NFL Draft Experience Open?
- Thursday: Noon to 11 p.m. (Draft starts at 8 p.m.)
- Friday: Noon to 11 p.m. (Draft starts at 7 p.m.)
- Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Draft starts at noon.)
Fans can enter the NFL Draft Experience at one of three locations:
Gate 1: North 21st Street and Ben Franklin Parkway
Gate 2: North 22nd Street and Ben Franklin Parkway
Gate 9: North 22nd Street and Pennsylvania Drive
There are a number of security measures in place for the NFL Draft Experience, make sure to check out the full list here.
3. Free Parking
There are a number of road closures in the area around the Ben Franklin Parkway. Therefore, fans are encouraged to park for free at the stadiums in South Philadelphia and use SEPTA's Broad Street Line to get to the NFL Draft and NFL Draft Experience.
4. See Current Eagles And Franchise Legends
With the NFL Draft in our backyard, there will be some familiar faces along the Ben Franklin Parkway helping welcome the newest crop of Philadelphia Eagles.
Last year's No. 2 pick quarterback Carson Wentz will visit the Oikos Unstoppable Drop on Thursday night and 2016 Eagles Hall of Fame inductee Jeremiah Trotter shows up for the second night of the NFL Draft.
Eagles Hall of Fame quarterback Ron Jaworski will be at the Tostitos Cantina on Friday from 4-5 p.m., while tight end Zach Ertz appears there from 11 a.m.-noon on Saturday.
Check the Fan Mobile Pass all week long as other Eagles and NFL players will be meeting fans and signing autographs throughout the NFL Draft Experience.
5. Zip-Line Your Way Into The NFL Draft
If you haven't downloaded the Fan Mobile Pass app yet, this might be your biggest reason to do so.
The NFL Draft Experience will include a 100-yard zip line providing breathtaking views above the Ben Franklin Parkway. Reservations are a must for the zip line and they will go fast. They can only be done on the Fan Mobile Pass app.
6. Test Your Football Skills
From the Combine Corner to the NFL Virtual Reality station, you can show whether or not you should be drafted in the NFL.
In the 40-yard dash, fans can race against digital versions of NFL players. And just like at the NFL Combine, find out if you can reach the stars in the vertical jump. Then, experience an NFL game like never before through a virtual reality headset.
7. The Hall Of Fame Comes To The Parkway
There will be a Pro Football Hall of Fame display area which will feature the busts of legends Chuck Bednarik, Steve Van Buren, and Reggie White. Fans can create their own digital bronze busts like the ones displayed in Canton, Ohio. There will also be an area with a locker room showcasing the ones that Fletcher Cox and Carson Wentz have at Lincoln Financial Field on gameday.
For even more details, check out all of the information at **NFL.com/draftexperience**.
