FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA ALERT | NEW DAY PROCLAMATION
NATIONAL FANTASY FOOTBALL DRAFT DAY | AUGUST 21
Celebrated annually on August 21, this newly minted national day honors over 60 million passionate players ahead of the 2026 season kickoff.
IT'S OFFICIAL: Move over golf—America has a new favorite pastime, and it officially has its own day on the calendar. The National Day Calendar Registrar has formally proclaimed August 21 as National Fantasy Football Draft Day.
Founded by industry veterans and Fantasy Sports Entertainment & Productions, the holiday recognizes the researchers, risk-takers, league commissioners, and waiver-wire wizards who drive a massive $30 billion industry. With more than 60 million players in North America alone—averaging roughly seven leagues per person—the holiday marks an official declaration by fantasy football players, for fantasy football players.
"Fantasy football draft weekend has felt like a national holiday to millions of fans for decades," said the founding team, which includes Fantasy Sports Hall of Famer Rick Wolf, sports industry stalwart Ed Bunnell, entrepreneur Ian Ritchie, and sports executive Bill Enright. "With more than 200 million drafts conducted annually, it’s time to officially memorialize the absolute best part of the season: the draft. This is about the traditions, the local rivalries, the endless group chats, and the community that keeps people connected through sports."
The timing of the holiday lines up perfectly with a massive summer lineup of fantasy sports events, culminating in the Draft Nation 2026 festival at the Circa Resort & Casino in Las Vegas from August 20–22. The three-day inaugural event will host more than 100 live fantasy football drafts, VIP experiences, and league meetups, with plans to expand nationally in the coming years.
Fans and leagues everywhere are encouraged to celebrate National Fantasy Football Draft Day on August 21st by:
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Hosting the Ultimate Draft War Room: Gathering leagues in backyards, garages, or local sports bars (where friendly trash-talking is mandatory).
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Reimagining the Draft Order: Ditching the standard hat-pull for competitive selection methods, like a 40-yard dash.
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Sporting Custom Gear: Wearing favorite NFL jerseys or creating custom apparel featuring their unique fantasy team names.
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Joining the Conversation: Sharing draft-day wins, heartbreaking snags, and league photos on social media using the hashtag #NationalFantasyFootballDraftDay or #FantasyFootballDraftDay.
To learn more about the history of the day and how to get involved, visit the official National Day Calendar page at National Fantasy Football Draft Day.
About Fantasy Sports Entertainment & Productions
Founded in 2026 by Rick Wolf, Ed Bunnell, Ian Ritchie, and Bill Enright, the organization represents over 100 years of combined fantasy sports industry passion. The group established National Fantasy Football Draft Day to give formal recognition to the community, camaraderie, and culture of the game.
About National Day Calendar
National Day Calendar is the premier destination for tracking, creating, and celebrating national days, weeks, and months. Based in Mandan, North Dakota, it helps millions of fans look for ways to "Celebrate Every Day."
Media Contact:
Marlo Anderson
[email protected]
(701) 204-6674
NationalDayCalendar.com
