2023 NFL Draft roundup: Road closures, entertainment and security

Union Station, the National World War I Museum and Memorial and the National World War I Draft have all been affected by the 2023 NFL Draft. This has created some challenges in navigating the city while also providing a lot of entertainment.

You must first download and register the NFL OnePass App if you plan to attend the Draft in 2023. This will give you free entry to the event.

How to get there

Prepare yourself to walk or use public transport. The main entrance is located on the south side at the National WWI Memorial and Museum, near the intersection of Wyandotte Street & Memorial Drive.

Road closures include:

OK Street

Uber and Lyft are offering ride-sharing services during the NFL Draft. Enter the 'National WWI Museum' and Memorial as your destination. Signs will direct you to the NFL Draft. You'll arrive about 10 minutes away. For pickups to return home, go to McGee Trafficway & E. 27th Terrace or McGee Street near Pershing, or Grand Boulevard near SeaLife.

Kansas City Streetcar will continue to run with a modified course. The streetcar normally runs from Kansas City River Market Station to Union Station. Crossroads South at 19th and Main Streets is the closest stop for the NFL Draft.

The streetcar will operate at extended hours, from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Thursday and Friday, and 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. The streetcar's operating hours will be extended from 6 am to 2 am on Thursday and Saturday, and from 7am to 2am on Friday.

RideKC offers a free shuttle service to the draft.

Main MAX will run between Kansas City’s Country Club Plaza and Penn Valley Park as well as downtown Kansas City and the River Market. The draft bus stop is located at Pershing and Broadway. Riders can enter the draft via Gate 2 on Pershing.

RideKC also offers shuttles that run from the East and West to the draft.

The east shuttle (called NFL1) runs from Gates BBQ, 1221 Brooklyn Ave., to the NFL Draft. It also stops at Arthur Bryant's Barbecue, 1727 Brooklyn Ave., and 18th and Vine. The west shuttle (called NFL2) runs along Southwest Boulevard, starting at Minsky's Pizza, 3063 Southwest Blvd. and stopping at Ponak's, Boulevard Brewing Co.

RideKC also rents e-bikes as well as traditional bikes. Use the RideKC Bike App on your smartphone to unlock and find bikes. Use the cable lock on a bike rack, signpost or RideKC Bike hub when you arrive at the NFL Draft.

The Security of Your Own Home

The security screening is similar to that of entering Arrowhead Stadium during a Kansas City Chiefs match.

Binoculars and small cameras are permitted. Fans are allowed to bring a reusable, empty water bottle inside the event.

Alcohol, animals, chairs and inflatable devices are not permitted. Also, no drones, guns, fireworks, weapons or noisemakers. Vaping and smoking are not permitted.

Enjoying food, drinks and other forms of entertainment

Visitors can enjoy games, skill training, autographs and exhibits. They can also enjoy food, beverages, music, and the opportunity to see how the draft unfolds.

On Saturday, the KC Smoke Show begins at 9:30 a.m. in the North Lawn of the National WWI Museum. The event includes cooking demos, a BBQ competition and rib-eating contest. The event features pitmasters of Joe's KC BBQ as well as Gates Bar-B-Q and Arthur Bryant's Barbeque.

There is also plenty to do outside the gates.

The Tours and Recreation Center will be open from 1 p.m. to watch the NFL Draft on draft days. Parking in the lot of Boulevard Brewing Co. costs $20 per vehicle, and includes two beverage coupons valid on that day. 610 Sports Radio broadcasts live from the Rec Deck beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday.

KC Bier Co. is tapping a keg ArrowRed Lager in its Bierhalle, located at 310 W. 79th St. The brewery will also host Maifest from April 29 to May 1 from 12-4 p.m. The event celebrates the annual release Maibock and includes yard games, special food, and music by The Happy Wanderers.

Tom's Town Distilling Co., located at 1701 Main St., will host two live Kansas City Jazz shows each night between 8 and 11 p.m. A $15 cover fee is required.

Westport Ale House, 4128 Broadway Blvd. The draft party, which starts at 6 pm and features music and appearances from players and agents of sports, will be charged a $10 cover charge on Thursday.

PH Coffee, 2200 Lexington Ave., is hosting a NFL Draft Watch Party from 5-11 p.m. Thursday. There will be a tasting of Union Horse Distillery.

The Torn Label Brewing Company, 1708 Campbell St. offers a classic hamburger with Belgian fries and a beer for $15.

City Barrel Brewery and Kitchen, located at 1740 Holmes St., will host KC Draft Fest on Friday from 1 to 6. The beer garden will feature local brews, cocktails and distilleries from Kansas City.

Five food trucks and live music will be available across the street from the Lyric Opera. Live broadcasts will be made by several local radio stations.

The Ship, 1221 Union Ave., will host a draft party on Friday at 9 pm. There is a $10 to $15 cover charge. Music by Dom Chronicles and Casio McCombs.

The KC Draft Fashion Show will be held at Operation Breakthrough, 3039 Troost Avenue, on Saturday from 6-10 p.m., and will feature models, designers, and performers. Tickets range from $25 to $60.