SANTA MONICA—The Los Angeles Chargers are hosting its first ever official NFL draft party at the Santa Monica Pier on Thursday, April 25.
The event will run from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and will be free. Free mobile tickets are required for entry and anyone attending is asked to use ride share or park at 333 Civic Center Drive, Santa Monica, CA 90401. The ride-share company LYFT is offering a $10 credit for the first 500 customers who use the code BOLTSDRAFT for a ride to the party. Fans who did not pre-register are still able to attend by registering in person at the event, but spaces are limited on a first come, first serve basis so entry is not guaranteed without a ticket.
The first round of the 2019 NFL Draft will be broadcast live on a giant LED screen with other activities including a chance to talk with current Chargers players, autographs, photo opportunities, performances by the Charger Girls and Thunderbolts drumline, live music, and many giveaways. The latest Chargers merchandise, including 2019 NFL Draft gear, will be available for purchase and traditional carnival fare and beverages will be discounted. The Chargers logo and colors will be displayed on the Pier’s Ferris wheel, the world’s only solar-powered ferris wheel, throughout the evening.
The LA Chargers NFL Draft Party will be hosted by KABC’s sports anchor Ashley Brewer with iHeartRadio’s AM 570’s Petros and Money Show broadcasting the event live.
Football experts will be providing commentary throughout the evening and live on-site programming will feature exclusive interviews with current and former Chargers players.
Previous attempts to have events held at the Pier have been discussed with several NFL teams according to Jim Harris, Deputy Director of the Pier. This past year, the Pier was interested in a simulcast screening of the Super Bowl for this year with the Rams organization but “the timing just didn’t work out,” Harris told the Santa Monica Daily Press (SMDP).
The Pier previously hosted a fan rally for The Green Legion, a group of Philadelphia Eagles fans in 2017
The 2019 NFL Draft takes place over a three-day span with Round 1 on April 25, Rounds 2 and 3 on April 26 and Rounds 4-7 on April 27. The Chargers have seven picks in this year’s Draft and finished the regular season tied for the NFL’s second-best record last year and currently own the 28th overall selection in the first round.
