7 best locations to hold a fantasy football draft in person

Editor's Note: This story was originally published on July 24, 2023. It has since been updated.

It's not easy being the commissioner of a fantasy football league.

On top of dealing with angry calls and texts from disgruntled managers over everything from waiver wires to rosters locking too soon, you have to wrangle the dozen or so members who make up your league every year when it's time to draft.

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Herding wild chickens with your bare hands is usually easier. Sure you could just hold the draft online, with everyone in the comfort of their own homes, or you can up the ante and make the draft you've worked so hard to coordinate the fantasy event of the year.

Here are the best places to gather your league for an in-person draft.

Las Vegas

Is this not the ultimate dream? A Las Vegas-getaway with all of your close friends (and the one person you probably wouldn't talk to again if they weren't still in your league).

There are a number of ways to do a draft in Vegas, from renting a conference room to booking a suite overlooking The Strip. But don't sleep on holding your draft at Circa's Stadium Swim.

Can't make it to Las Vegas? Ok, fine, go to your nearest casino and you'll still get the idea.

NFL Stadium

You may never get to run through the tunnel on Sundays, but you can rent (part) of an NFL stadium to host your fantasy draft! A lot of teams now offer fans the chance to rent a suite or hold their league draft their stadiums, including the Kansas City Chiefs, Carolina Panthers and Philadelphia Eagles.

Hard to imagine any member of your league not making the time for an event like this.

Buffalo Wild Wings

Ol' reliable!

Seriously, this fantasy draft staple still delivers with plenty of food options to snack on, tons of TVs to give you the latest highlights and news on the league and, most importantly, stable wifi connections.

Buffalo Wild Wings provides high-floor, low-ceiling option for when you just need to plan something.

Dave & Busters

A similar idea to Buffalo Wild Wings here, but with more games and activities. Dave and Busters offers a fantasy draft package starting at $24.99 and it's really not the worst place to spend four hours of debating why taking a running back who is splitting carries is a bad idea in the third round.

TopGolf

TopGolf also offers fantasy draft packages! Spice things up a bit by letting your golf game determine your draft order with either a longest drive or closest to the pin competition.

Or just take your anger out on someone stealing your sleeper two picks ahead of you.

At A League Member's House

Sink into a comfy chair or cram onto the couch, hide your computer screens and pray the wifi holds up. As long as you and your league are together, memories will be made.

As a bonus: You can tie this into a punishment for finishing in last place with the loser forced to host the draft at their place the following season.

Any public park

Want a real draft challenge for your league? Find a park or a beach that doesn't have a hint of internet access. Don't let anyone bring their laptops.

Just you, your co-managers and a giant draft board (and maybe some drinks, snacks and sunscreen because you'll be here awhile). Let's see who really did their homework and prepped their research.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: 7 best locations to hold a fantasy football draft in person