2022 NFL draft will be in Las Vegas

The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported on Thursday night that the 2022 draft will be held in Las Vegas.

UPDATE: The NFL has made this decision official.

This 2020 NFL draft, of course, was originally planned to be in Las Vegas but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. It was supposed to mark the debut of the NFL in Las Vegas, as the Raiders are moving there this season.

Therefore this move is not a surprise.

It has been expected that the 2022 draft would be in Las Vegas since the postponement. Cleveland, Ohio, has already been named as the host city for the 2021 draft.

“I’m pleased to announce that Las Vegas will host the 2022 NFL Draft, where we look forward to holding an even bigger and better event than we could have ever imagined this year,” said NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a press statement released during the draft. “Congratulations to Las Vegas, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, the Raiders’ organization and Raider Nation.”

“We’re thrilled the NFL has given us the opportunity to host the Draft in Las Vegas in 2022. While disappointed we were unable to bring this exciting event to life this year. We plan to make the 87th annual NFL Draft an “only Vegas” experience football fans will never forget,” Steve Hill, Chief Executive Officer and President, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority added.

The location plans previously announced for the 2020 Draft will remain in place for 2022, with Caesars Entertainment hosting the draft main stage.