The start of the NFL season features not just the opening game between the Washington Redskins and the New York Giants, but a free, open-to-the public concert headlined by some of the music industry's hottest stars like Keith Urban and Usher.
Take advantage of this unique opportunity to celebrate the dawn of the 2008 season and gather at Columbus Circle in New York City with other NFL fans.
The concert will begin at 3 p.m. and run until 6:45 p.m at Columbus Circle, Central Park South from Columbus Circle to 5th Ave.
Once the musical show is over, the real spectacle begins -- the first regular season game of the year. Kickoff is at 8 p.m. at Giants Stadium and the game will be aired on NBC and online, right here at NFL.com.
Where to watch the game:The NFL and Kickoff sponsor Coors Light would like to remind fans attending the Kickoff concert that the Redskins-Giants game immediately following will not be shown at Columbus Circle. Here are some New York City venues fans can go to watch the game: | ||
| Establishment | Address | |
|---|---|---|
| Mercury Bar & Grille | 659 9th Avenue | |
| Mc Alleers Pub | 425 Amsterdam Avenue | |
| Blarney Stone | 307 West 47th Street | |
| Dorrians Pub | 1616 2nd Avenue | |
| Beekman Pub | 15 Beekman Street | |
| Southwest New York | 2 World Financial Centre | |
| Off The Wagon | 109 Macdougal Street | |
| Down The Hatch | 175-179 West 4th Street | |
| Coppersmith's Bar Grill | 793 9th Ave | |
| McFadden's | 800 Second Ave | |
| Bar None | 98 Third Ave | |
| Jeremy's Ale House | 228 Front Street | |
| O'Hara's Pub | 120 Cedar Street | |
| Metro 53 | 307 East 53 Street | |
| Foley's NY Pub | 18 West 33rd Street | |
| Smith's Bar | 701 8th Avenue | |
| Flight 151 | 151 8th Ave. | |
| Dempseys Pub | 61 2nd Ave. | |
| Blondie's | 212 West 79th Street | |
| Rathbones | 1702 Second Ave | |
| Bounce | 1403 2nd Avenue | |
| Joshua Tree | 366 West 46th Street | |
| MJ Armstrong's | 329 1st Avenue | |
| Pat O'Brien's | 1701 2nd Ave | |
| Social | 795 8th Avenue | |
| Biddy Early's | 43 Murray Street | |
| Red Sky | 47 East 29th Street | |
| Hooters | 211 West 56th Street | |
| The Playwright Tavern | 732 8th Avenue | |
| Rougue Lounge | 757 6th Ave | |
| Daltons Bar & Grill | 611 9th Ave | |
| The Town Tavern | 134 W 3rd St | |
| O'Connell's | 2794 Broadway | |
| Local 2 | 1 Penn Plaza | |
| Latitude | 783 8th Ave | |
| Spring Lounge | 209 Mulberry Street | |
| Butterfield 8 | 5 E 38th St | |
| Brouwers Of Stone St | 45 Stone Street | |
| Ristorante 110 | 110 John St | |
| Mean Fiddler | 266 West 47th St | |
| Galway Hooker | 1 E 36th St | |
| The Grizzly Pear | 107 Macdougal St | |
| Mcgee's Pub & Restaurant | 240 West 55th Street | |
| Hibernia Bar | 401 W 50th St | |
| The Parlour | 250 West 86th Street | |
| In Hoboken, NJ: | ||
| Texas Arizona | 76 River Ave | |
| 10th & Willow | 935 Willow Ave | |
| 70 Hudson St | 70 Hudson St | |
| Oddfellows | 80 River St | |
| Blackbear | 205 Washington Ave | |
The game will not be shown at Columbus Circle, so what better way to check out the action than to visit one of Manhattan's several fine establishments that will be showing the contest. For a complete list of locations in which to watch the game, look to the right.
The easiest way to attend the concert is to register for the Pepsi NFL Kickoff promotion. By registering you can get preferred access to the event. In order to register you must visit this website. Also, don’t forget to enter the code “PepsiKickoff” into the comments field when requesting tickets.
In addition to registering, you must present both a valid ID and a Pepsi NFL Kickoff can/bottle.*
Sign up fast, because only the first 5,000 people will be given preferred access. After completion of registration, present your participating Pepsi product with valid ID at the entrance at 67th street and Central Park West. Check in will take place in the parking lot of Tavern on the Green at 11:30 am. Remember you must register here.
Since there is a chance you will appear on television, attendees are strongly discouraged from wearing solid white clothing or logos as they are not camera friendly.
Remember, no cameras or recording devices will be allowed at the event so please leave those at home, and everyone attending the event must go through a security check before gaining access. Please downsize any purses or bags you are bringing.
If you live in New York or are visiting the city from Saturday Aug. 30-Sept. 4., please heed the following information.
Street/Sidewalk/Park Closures:
Saturday, Aug. 30th (11 p.m. - 8 a.m.): Columbus Circle (interior two lanes closed), Columbus Circle Plaza closed to pedestrians
Monday, Sept. 1st (at 12 a.m.) -- Saturday, Sept. 6th (at 8 a.m.): Columbus Circle (interior lane closed, a second interior lane will be closed between 12 a.m. -- 7 a.m. each night), Columbus Circle Plaza closed to pedestrians, Central Park South (portions of north curb lane will be affected to accommodate equipment), Central Park -- Merchants Gate (southern portion will have construction, but will be open to the public)
Wednesday, Sept. 3rd (at 7 p.m.) -- Friday, Sept. 5th (6 a.m.): Columbus Circle (two interior lanes closed)
Thursday, Sept. 4th (9:30 a.m.) -- Friday, Sept. 6th (6 a.m.): Broadway between 57th & 65th Streets, Central Park West between Columbus Circle & 62nd Streets, Central Park South between Columbus Circle and 5th Ave, East side of Columbus Circle (west side will be open to facilitate northbound traffic from 8th Ave.), Central Park -- Merchants Gate (area closed to pedestrians), 6th Ave. between 58th & 59th Streets, 7th Ave. between 58th & 59th Streets
Amplified Sound Use (affected areas):
Wed., Sept. 3rd (2 p.m. -- 3 p.m.): Sound Check (Central Park South between Columbus Circle and 5th Ave.)
Thurs., Sept. 4th (10 a.m. -- 1:30 p.m.): Sound Check (Central Park South between Columbus Circle and 5th Ave.)
Thurs., Sept. 4th (3 p.m. -- 6:45 p.m.): Concert (Central Park South between Columbus Circle and 5th Ave.)
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* Other participating products include Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Diet Pepsi Max, Pepsi One, Wild Cherry Pepsi, Diet Wild Cherry Pepsi, Diet Pepsi Vanilla, Diet Pepsi Lime, Diet Pepsi Jazz Black Cherry French Vanilla, Diet Pepsi Jazz Caramel Cream.
