Avoid The Massive Draft Crowds By Watching In Downtown Vegas

Written By Marc Meltzer on April 21, 2022
Watch the 2022 NFL Draft in downtown Las Veags

So, you’re in Las Vegas and want to watch the NFL Draft but don’t want to deal with the chaos from hundreds of thousands of fans wandering the Vegas Strip just to get a peek at the event live. No problem. There are plenty of places to watch the NFL Draft in downtown Las Vegas.

Anyone planning to wager on the NFL Draft should be reminded that Nevada sportsbooks aren’t allowed to take bets on the day of the event. In other words, all NFL Draft wagers must be placed by Wednesday, April 27.

Consider alternate NFL Draft viewing

Getting around the NFL Draft locations near The Linq and Bellagio on the Vegas Strip is already a pain due to lane closures. Getting around the area will be even more difficult when entire roads are closed and hundreds of thousands of people descend on Las Vegas for the NFL Draft events.

While seeing the NFL Draft in person might be a bucket list item, there will be plenty of options to avoid the crowds but still watch the action. One way to check the NFL Draft off that bucket list is to enjoy the event in different locations.

The first round and night are the most popular of the NFL Draft. Maybe this is the day to skip the event in person. The second and third days and nights are a little less crowded. This could be an opportunity to enjoy the NFL Draft with a little more room to mingle.

One way to enjoy everything without being overwhelmed could be to watch the first round of the NFL Draft away from the action. The other days of the NFL Draft could be used to enjoy the NFL Experience and NFL Theater in person.

As a reminder, the NFL Draft events are free. However, anyone going to the NFL Draft Experience and Draft Theater must register for NFL OnePass.

Watch the NFL Draft in downtown Las Vegas casinos

Downtown Las Vegas is almost like another city when compared to the Vegas Strip. The area is chock full of casinos within quick walking distance of one another.

Gamblers will appreciate the fair gambling rules and odds at most casinos in downtown Las Vegas. There are plenty of casinos with 3:2 blackjack, 10x odds (or higher) in craps and even single zero roulette. The latter is usually only available in high limit rooms.

There are a variety of options to watch the NFL Draft in downtown Las Vegas. There are watch events inside casinos and even outdoors at different pools.

  • Circa: Reserve seats to watch indoors at the sportsbook all three days of the NFL Draft or outdoors at Stadium Swim on April 28 and 29.
  • Downtown Grand: Enjoy the NFL Draft Watch Party outside at the Citrus Grand Pool Deck on April 28 starting at 11 a.m.
  • Golden Nugget: Troy Liquor Bar will have a nightly “Get Your Draft On” party from April 28-30. Entry is free and doors open at 9 p.m. A DJ will drop dope beats starting at 10 p.m.

The Fremont Street Experience will have an NFL-themed production show called “Grid Iron Girls” throughout the NFL Draft. The mall of casinos will also have free entertainment on various stages throughout the long weekend until 3 a.m. nightly.

Photo by John Locher / Associated Press
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Marc Meltzer

Marc grew up on the mean streets of the South Bronx. He's the rare combination of Yankees and Jets fan which explains his often contrarian point of view. Marc is a freelance writer and social media consultant. Writing about steak, booze, gambling and Las Vegas is a tough job but somebody has to do it.

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