National Football League Experience
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The NFL Experience is a temporary theme park operated by the National Football League during the week of the Super Bowl. It is a combination of interactive attractions and special events.
Attractions
The Experience's attractions simulate the elements that are found in the NFL, including:
- Throwing a football for accuracy at a target
- Simulating a short run to the goal line while being restrained by a bungee cord
- Making extra point and field goal attempts
- Running a pass pattern among the sidelines
- Leaping over pylons that substitute for defenders and landing into an "end zone"
- Calling the play-by-play of a famous event or game
- Dancing to celebrate a touchdown
Elsewhere at the Experience are a large "NFL Shop" and an autograph table at which current and former players make appearances.
Most attractions carry the names of corporate sponsors. Also, some vendors sell products in temporary storefronts.
Special events
On the Saturday before the Super Bowl, the Experience hosts "NFL PLAYERS LIVE," which is produced by the NFL Players Association. This event features autograph sessions and video game tournaments.
Also generally held on the grounds are a clinic for cheerleaders and Punt, Pass, and Kick, a recreational event for young people.
In 2007, the Experience is the new venue for Pepsi Smash, a series of concerts in which famous recording artists perform to celebrate the Super Bowl.[1]
In 2008, a new event called NFLX After Dark will take place on Thursday, January 31. The attraction will close at 9 p.m., separate admission will be required, and attendees will have to be adults (it's not yet clear if the age limit will be 18 or 21).
History
The first NFL Experience was held at the Minneapolis Convention Center in January 1992 prior to Super Bowl XXVI. The NFL's interactive theme park was followed by Major League Baseball's first "FanFest" in San Diego, California six months later. Since then, most major professional sports league in the United States and many major college sports events have added a version of the NFL Experience. New Orleans, Louisiana will host an NFL Experience event at the New Orleans Convention Center during Super Bowl XLVII weekend.
NFL YET
Proceeds from the sale of NFL Experience tickets go to fund the NFL's Youth Education Towns (YET). The league's official afterschool program was launched in 1993 in Compton, California, and (as of January 2008[update]) had 15 locations built or planned. Each new Super Bowl brings the building of another YET location.
