Fantasy Sports Entertainment & Productions, a company formed by fantasy football enthusiasts for fantasy football players, announced the launch of “Draft Nation”, a new annual event celebrating National Fantasy Football Draft Day that brings together thousands of fantasy football fans for a multi-day celebration of fantasy football, its culture and the community that has helped make it one of America’s most popular participatory activities. The inaugural event will take place Aug. 20–22 at Circa Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, where thousands of fantasy football players across the country conduct their league drafts and play in contests to win cash prizes.

With more than 60 million fantasy football players conducting over 200 million drafts at the start of every football season, National Fantasy Football Draft Day formalizes what has long been an unofficial holiday for millions of fantasy football players. America’s most popular non-contact sport, fantasy football has transformed how fans engage with football, blending competition, data, and social connection. National Fantasy Football Draft Day aligns that experience into a single shared moment, bringing leagues and individual fantasy players from across the country together to draft simultaneously.

“Fantasy football has grown more than 10% every year since the mid-2000s and now more people play fantasy football than golf in America. The time is now to celebrate the community that built it. National Fantasy Football Draft Day gives entire leagues a reason to make a trip out for their annual draft while also welcoming all fans who want to be part the celebration of the fantasy football culture. Whether you’re arriving with your entire league or making the trip on your own, we want everyone to be part of one shared celebration of fantasy football,” said Rick Wolf, Fantasy Sports Hall of Famer and co-founder of Draft Nation.

Circa Resort & Casino will serve as the official host of National Fantasy Football Draft Day, providing a centralized destination for leagues and individual players traveling to Las Vegas to participate in the celebration. In addition to live drafts, the weekend will feature celebrity appearances, industry personalities, fan competitions, award ceremonies, league meetups, and special events designed to celebrate the traditions, rivalries, and stories that have become synonymous with fantasy football culture.

“We’ve loved seeing the growth of fantasy football in recent years around Las Vegas and especially at Circa Resort & Casino. We’re excited to bring Draft Nation weekend to Circa to take fantasy football to the next level,” said Derek Stevens, CEO of Circa Resort & Casino.

National Fantasy Football Draft Day also reflects the evolution of fantasy football from a niche hobby in the 1960s into a modern entertainment ecosystem driven by advanced analytics, digital platforms and year-round fan engagement. The celebration will recognize the top achievers from the weekend events, the innovation continuing to redefine strategy and gameplay, and the traditions that define its culture, from draft-day rituals to last-place punishments.

“Collectively, our four founders have more than 100 years of fantasy football experience. We know what makes a draft weekend feel like the draft weekend: the trash talk. It’s the story everyone retells. It’s who comes prepared and who just wings it. It’s the rivalry that’s been running for ten seasons. Right now, those moments stay locked inside your league. We’re building a place where those moments are shared and where fantasy football players truly belong,” said Edward Bunnell, co-founder of Draft Nation.

Draft Nation will announce additional details in the coming weeks, including participating celebrities, professional athletes, fantasy football personalities, and strategic brand partners. These announcements will further highlight the magnitude of National Fantasy Football Draft Day and reinforce its position as a premier moment across sports, entertainment, and culture.

The College Basketball Crown and Circa Resort & Casino, Downtown Las Vegas’ premier adults-only luxury resort, have announced the return of the Crown Town Fan Fest at Stadium Swim, bringing back one of the tournament’s marquee fan experiences during the 2026 championship weekend in Las Vegas. Circa Resort & Casino is a Founding Partner and Official Host Hotel of the College Basketball Crown, with the agreement brokered by AEG Global Partnerships.

The annual College Basketball Crown will take place April 1–5, 2026, in Las Vegas at MGM Grand Garden Arena and T-Mobile Arena, airing nationally on FOX and FS1. The elite eight-team postseason tournament will feature top programs from the Big Ten, Big 12, and BIG EAST conferences that narrowly miss NCAA Tournament selection, along with two wild-card teams selected by the tournament’s competition committee. The tournament will culminate with semifinal and championship matchups at T-Mobile Arena during championship weekend.

This year’s Crown Town Fan Fest will take place Friday, April 3, from 12–4 p.m. at Stadium Swim at Circa Resort & Casino, the resort’s multi-level rooftop pool and amphitheater featuring a 143-foot screen. Timed ahead of the College Basketball Crown semifinals and championship games, the event will once again unite fans, tournament stakeholders, and college basketball insiders for an elevated, all-day celebration in the heart of Downtown Las Vegas.

“As a Founding Partner of the College Basketball Crown, we’re proud to once again host Crown Town Fan Fest at Stadium Swim and welcome fans back for another unforgettable championship-weekend experience. Stadium Swim was built to deliver moments like this – where sports, energy, and community collide – and we’re excited to offer fans multiple ways to be part of the action through Crown Town Fan Fest tickets and exclusive room packages,” said Derek Stevens, Owner and CEO of Circa Resort & Casino.

Tickets for the Crown Town Fan Fest and exclusive Circa room packages – which include a two-night stay, College Basketball Crown game tickets, and Crown Town Fan Fest access – are now available for purchase through Circa’s website.

“The return of Crown Town Fan Fest reflects the continued momentum of the College Basketball Crown and the strength of our partnership with Circa. Together, we’re focused on delivering premium, fan-first experiences that elevate the championship weekend both inside and outside the arena,” said Nick Baker, President and COO of AEG Global Partnerships and board member of the College Basketball Crown.

Circa Sports Kentucky is expanding its footprint with the debut of Kentucky’s largest retail sportsbook at The Mint Gaming Hall Kentucky Downs in Franklin. Opening this summer, the new 21 and over venue will feature an 80-foot-wide LED screen, a 31-foot-wide odds board, and over 5100 square feet of action-packed space.

“Introducing a sportsbook of this caliber to Kentucky marks a significant milestone for Circa Sports. We’re also seeing excitement from fans in Tennessee—especially in Nashville. Together with The Mint, we’re creating a high-tech betting destination that will bring a new level of live-viewing excitement for customers across both states. The Mint has been an exceptional partner in turning this vision into reality, and we look forward to welcoming guests later this year,” said Derek Stevens, CEO of Circa Sports.

Highlights will include:

• 80-Foot-Wide Screen: Fans can catch the action on an 80-foot-wide LED screen, complete with a 31-foot-wide odds board displaying real-time lines and updates.

• Premium Seating Options: Guests can relax in one of 113 stadium-style seats, luxury recliners or three tiers of booth-style seating.

• Flexible Betting Access: The sportsbook will feature five staffed betting stations, including an ADA-accessible station and four self-service kiosks, along with three self-service kiosks in The Mint.

• VSiN Broadcast Studio: A VSiN (Vegas Stats & Information Network) broadcast studio will be housed within the book, where live on-air talent, analysis, and gameday content will be captured daily.

Johan Mirkovic, The Mint Gaming Hall Kentucky Downs’ vice president and general manager, said: “The Circa Sportsbook adds yet more amenities for our guests enjoying The Mint Gaming Hall’s gambling, entertainment and dining options. This region, spanning the Kentucky-Tennessee border, is a true sports enthusiast’s haven. The upcoming Circa Sportsbook will elevate the experience, offering the area’s premier viewing venue for all your favorite sporting events—no matter where you are.”