The NFL announced Tuesday the draft will go back to Chicago in 2016.
"We are excited to return to Chicago and look forward to creating an even better experience for our fans next year," Commissioner Roger Goodell said. "Based on the success of last year's draft and our high expectations for the 2016 draft, Chicago continues to raise the bar for future drafts."
The league states more than 200,000 fans nationwide participated in last year's draft festivities in Chicago, which generated a total economic impact of $81.6 million for the city, according to a Sport Industry Research Center at Temple University study. Half of the draft-goers traveled from outside Chicago to see the event.
"Chicago is thrilled to welcome the 2016 NFL draft back to America's heartland," said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. "Our world calss city will once again be transformed into Draft Town where NFL fans and players will gather as NFL teams make selections."
2016 will be the sixth time in NFL history that Chicago will host the draft. New York had been the host city continuously from 1965-2013. Prior to that, the draft alternated between New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Milwaukee, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C.
