NFL Draft theater will be built on AT&T Stadium field, plans show

The NFL Draft is coming to Arlington in April.

Now we're beginning to see what it's going to look like.

Representatives from the National Football League were in Arlington Wednesday to show layout renderings at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys. It was the first public renderings of the event.

The NFL Draft theater will be built on the stadium's field, creating opportunities for more fans than ever to watch the event live and in-person. The NFL announced that since Feb. 20, over 250,000 fans had registered for the opportunity to win free tickets inside the arena for the event. That figure is a new league record.

"The 2018 NFL Draft represents our most ambitious vision yet, and we are thrilled to take the event to another level this year for our fans, incoming players, and teams," said Peter O'Reilly, the NFL's Senior Vice President of Events. "By collaborating closely with the Dallas Cowboys and the Dallas Sports Commission, we are creating a record number of free experiences and enabling the largest live audience ever to view the NFL Draft."

The NFL is its expected to draw more than the record 250,000 fans who took in last year's draft in Philadelphia.

Legendary Cowboys wide receiver Drew Pearson was also on-hand to discuss the event.

"For those who believed last year's NFL Draft created an amazing atmosphere, just wait until this year's event," said Pearson. "From incredibly passionate Dallas Cowboys fans, to the largest free football festival in league history, the 2018 NFL Draft will be the biggest and best one yet. No doubt about it."

Selection square will be located inside the NFL Draft Theater and feature team tables where representatives from each club will make their draft selections throughout the three days.

The free NFL Draft Experience will be located in the outdoor plazas of the stadium.

The three-day draft is April 26-28. Here are the hours for each day. On Thursday and Friday the event will run from 12 pm to 9 pm. On Saturday, it will run 10 am to 4:30 pm.

And even though registration for tickets inside the venue is now closed, fans can use the Fan Mobile Pass and receive a personal scan code that will provide exclusive access to NFL Draft Experience attractions. It will also provide fans the chance to receive standby tickets to the NFL Draft Theater.

This story was originally published March 14, 2018 at 11:42 AM with the headline "NFL Draft theater will be built on AT&T Stadium field, plans show."