NFL Draft 2023 security turned away fans. Did Union Station really reach capacity?
The North Lawn of the National WWI Museum and Memorial was apparently at capacity about 30 minutes before the start of Thursday’s night’s first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station in Kansas City.
The draft, being held here for the first time, attracted thousands of people, many of whom donned red KC Chiefs gear for the occasion.
Entry to the area around the stage — the largest ever for an NFL Draft, according to league officials — was free, as long as fans had downloaded the NFL OnePass app and registered to get a ticket.
By 6:30, half an hour before the Carolina Panthers were on the clock with the first overall pick, security officials were turning away additional fans. Fans already on the North Lawn were allowed to exit, but newcomers were being told they could not enter.
A lot of boos at the standstill as the NFL said the north lawn reached capacity @KCStar pic.twitter.com/oPn3CCiT4U
— Joseph Hernandez (@josephh816) April 28, 2023
Some fans were visibly upset about being denied entry. Capacity for the area was said to be about 60,000, according to the NFL.
About 90 minutes later, after perhaps a couple hundred fans inside the gates had left, a new batch of spectators was being admitted. A security guard said people who were at the memorial were welcome to go to the North Lawn.
The NFL Draft will continue at the site on Friday and Saturday.
The NFL Draft north lawn section is at capacity and they’re not letting anyone beyond this point @KCStar pic.twitter.com/3dA5J0O9VE
— Joseph Hernandez (@josephh816) April 27, 2023
