Going to the 2021 NFL Draft? Here’s some restrictions and dos and don’ts for the event

By On Mar 25, 2021

CLEVELAND – Mayor Frank Jackson’s administration released a list of restrictions in and around downtown on next month’s NFL draft 2021 on Wednesday night.

The event, which is expected to bring thousands of people to Cleveland, takes place April 29 through May 1 at FirstEnergy Stadium, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and the Great Lakes Science Center.

Wednesday’s press release said the roads around the design area will be closed, especially the roads leading to FirstEnergy Stadium and the Inner Harbor.

Apartment parking between East 12th Street and Old River Road is restricted from 6:30 a.m. on April 29th to 4:00 a.m. on May 2nd.

A map of the area can be viewed online.

During the event, people in the restricted area must adhere to the NFL’s “Clear Bag” policy, which states that personal items are carried in clear, 12 x 12 x 6 ”bags and small clutch-sized purses that are also clear must not exceed 4.5 “x 6.5”.

Bags used for medically necessary items will undergo a thorough inspection at the entry control point.

Prohibited Items

The following are among the items that are prohibited in the website’s design. The full list can be found online.

Alcohol.
Animals (except service animals).
All weapons including air rifles, air pistols, paintball guns, switch blades, knives with a blade 2 1/2 inches or longer in length, slingshots, BB cannons, pellet guns, maces, and other items that could be used to cause damage .
Wood greater than 2 “in width and 1/3” thick, including supports for signage.
Metal, plastic, or other hard material more than 3/4 inch thick and 1/8 inch thick, including pipes and hoses.
Beach balls or inflatable devices.
Containers, bottles, cans or thermos without plastic.
Backpacks and bags larger than 18 “x 13” x 7 “.
Chairs, stools or other seating arrangements.
Drones
Soccer balls, frisbees or objects to be thrown.

Additionally, the NFL prohibits the following:

Banners, signs (any object that obstructs the view of others.
Bottles, cans, thermoses, mugs, and beverage containers of all kinds, unless purchased from an NFL venue or in an empty, reusable water bottle (plastic baby bottles are allowed if a child is present).
Binocular bags or camera bags. Camcorder or VCR, except for media with proof of eligibility.
Cameras with detachable lenses that are longer than 6 inches.
Foley, horns, whistles, or musical instruments.
Eating outside.
Promotional items with commercial slogans or identifiers without written consent from the NFL

The Jackson administration and Cleveland Police also provided advice:

Arrive early. Parking spaces and garages in the city center can fill up quickly.
Practice social distancing. Follow all guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, including social distancing, wearing a mask, and avoiding large groups.
RTA ride. To plan a trip, go to: www.rta.com.
Do not leave valuable items in the interior of a vehicle where others can see them. Put them in the trunk before you get to your destination or before you park your car.
Be wary of counterfeit tickets. The risk of reserving counterfeit tickets online from unofficial sources is high during the NFL draft. Fans who reserve tickets from a secondary source are taking a chance.

Fans are urged to report suspicious activity to the police. They are also reminded to watch out for increased downtown pedestrian traffic while driving.