NFL draft will return to Chicago in 2016
SCHAUMBURG, Ill. -- The NFL is returning to Chicago for the 2016 draft, which will be held April 28-30.
"You made the second city the first city for the draft,'' Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said in announcing the decision alongside NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Tuesday.
According to a study by the Sports Industry Research Center at Temple University, the 2015 draft generated a total economic impact of $81.6 million for Chicago. The event generated 31,000 hotel nights from visitors, plus 5,600 hotel nights from NFL staff and sponsors.
The league wants to have the event in one centralized area. While this year's draft was held at the Auditorium Theatre, more than 200,000 fans watched it at "Draft Town," a three-day fan festival held in Grant Park, which was considered a great success.
The mayor said that no public money will be used by the city in hosting the event.
"We're glad to be back,'' commissioner Roger Goodell said.
It's the second straight year for Chicago after a long run at Radio City Music Hall in New York.
The draft also was held in Chicago in 1938, 1942-44, 1951 and 1962-64.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
