The 2019 NFL Draft, the largest public special event ever held in Nashville, is anticipated to draw well in excess of 100,000 persons to the downtown area during the first day alone on Thursday, April 25. The draft formally begins that evening and will continue through Saturday, April 27. The main large stage from which draft picks will be announced is to be constructed by the NFL at Riverfront Park and will face Broadway.
Some 400 Metro police officers per day, most in uniform, others in plain clothes, will be stationed in the downtown area staffing security and traffic assignments during the draft. Officers and members of the MNPD’s professional support team will staff road closures for the 20th Annual St. Jude Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon when thousands of runners will take to Nashville’s streets on Saturday morning, April 27.
Downtown road closures in anticipation of the NFL Draft will begin on Friday, April 5, when 1st Avenue from Demonbreun to Church Streets, and Broadway from 1st to 2nd Avenues, will close to allow for stage construction.
Full closures for the NFL Draft will take effect at midnight on April 24 and involve the following:
Broadway will be closed from 1st to 5th Avenues, as will 1st thru 5th Avenues between Commerce and Demonbreun Streets (4th Avenue will reopen each morning April 24, 25, and 26 for rush hour traffic and will reclose by 10 a.m. on those days).
During draft days, 2nd Avenue South will be setup as a two-way street from Demonbreun Street to Korean Veterans Boulevard; the westbound lanes of Commerce Street will be setup as a two-way street between 4th and 2nd Avenues; 4th Avenue North (after morning rush hours) will be setup as a two-way street between Commerce Street and Broadway; and 5th Avenue North will be setup as a two-way street between Commerce and Demonbreun Streets.
Drop-off and pick-up locations for citizens, taxis and ride share drivers will be:
Broadway eastbound between 6th and 8th Avenues
Broadway westbound between 7th and 8th Avenues
7th Avenue curb lanes next to Hume Fogg High School and the Masons Lodge
South 1st Street from Nissan Stadium’s Lot T to PSC Metals
Korean Veterans Boulevard parking cutouts
The MNPD and its law enforcement partners will participate in a news conference with NFL Draft and marathon safety information in mid-April.
