For the second year in a row, fantasy footballers are invited to bring their laptops, clipboards, research notes, spreadsheets and magazines to Seattle's CenturyLink Field this summer.
On Wednesday, the Seahawks announced they will open up the stadium's suites for fantasy football leagues to hold a very different draft-day experience.
Looking out on the CenturyLink Field turf, fantasy owners are open to pick their players, drink beer, eat food, and talk a bit of trash on Sunday, August 28, a date that should give fantasy owners a quality look at 2016's top talent, as each team wraps up its third preseason game that weekend.
"To be able to be in a suite, with CenturyLink Field in the background and have everyone together was great," said Erik Nilsen, a Seahawks fan since 1983 and seven-year fantasy football veteran whose league held its draft at the stadium last year. "It was the first time all of us were together for the draft, which was fun."
Each suite will be open from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. PT, giving fantasy owners plenty of time to fill their squads. Each suite package includes:
- Private suite, perfect for groups of up to 14 people
- Complementary Wi-Fi access
- In-suite, brats, wings, snacks, and fridge stocked with beer (a 24-pack of 12 oz. cans of Budweiser or Bud Light)
- Personalized photo of your league
- Every participant will be entered into a random drawing to win two (2) tickets to the Seahawks game against the Philadelphia Eagles on November 20 (must be present for eligibility)
The one-of-a-kind event is open to all ages with early-bird registration running May 11 through June 3 at $800 per suite. Sign ups close August 12, or when the suites sell out, whichever comes first.
Nilsen, a former fantasy football champion who admitted his team performed "not great" this past year, doesn't regret where his season started, dubbing his experience at CenturyLink Field something other fantasy football enthusiats should try "at least once."
"It was a great time," Nilsen said. "By far the best draft we have had."
