NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – After months of planning and preparation, NFL Draft weekend is set to begin in Music City as 300,000 people are expected in downtown Nashville over the course of the event.
Most fans will be spread out throughout the downtown footprint with some on Lower Broad and some across the Cumberland River at Nissan Stadium.
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For the city, safety and security are a priority with extensive cooperation from local, state and federal agencies.
Metro police said 400 officers per day will be devoted to ensuring safety during the NFL Draft weekend.
The Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp. will have entry points around downtown to check for prohibited items like backpacks and coolers.
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The NFL will have “grabbers” on hand 24-7 who can remove concrete barriers to make room for emergency vehicles as needed.
A hotline has been established by Metro police to report anything suspicious as part of the “See something, say something” campaign. The number is 615-880-1515.
The NFL Draft Experience outside Nissan Stadium will open to fans at noon Thursday.
The experience is two-million square feet of fun — and, according to organizers, Nashville’s NFL Experience will be the biggest footprint in its history.
There are several interactive games at the Experience, so you can practice your touch pass or race against your opponents on a giant, 40-yard-long LED wall.
NFL officials say the goal is to offer something for everyone, NFL fan or not.
For families that want to come and be part of the action, but not the party downtown, the NFL Experience is for you. You can watch the Draft live on dozens of screens while you play games and have fun.
Everything is free, but to take part in any of the interactive games, you will need to download the free NFL Fan Mobile Pass app.