Free Eagles Draft Party includes cheer squad debut

Free tickets for this year's Eagles Draft Party will be available starting March 31 though the team's website, philadelphiaeagles.com.

All several thousand tickets are "generally gobbled up within hours," according to marketing director Mike Malo.

The April 25 event, which runs from 3:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. inside a club area, fans can watch picks roll in, meet some current and former players, and be the first group to greet a new cheerleading squad.

Their selection day is April 21, when 60 women will compete at 7:30 p.m. at the Prince Music Theater. Final Audition Show tickets, $22.50 each, were still available this morning through the team's website.

The draft party will also have activities for kids, appearances by the mascot, Swoop, and live broadcasts by WIP (610 AM) and WYSP (94 FM).

For $50, a limited number of fans can get a premium package that includes a hat, two drinks, an all-you-can-eat buffet, and a guaranteed autograph from a player or ex-player.

With 12 picks this year, including two first-round picks, the Eagles are expected to be one of the busiest teams on draft day.

Each of the last two years, the Eagles have traded away their only first-round pick, which rendered draft day less exciting for many fans.

Except, of course, for the thrill of second-guessing.

The cheerleading tryouts officially kick off on March 28 with the Open Call Auditions at Lincoln Financial Field. Prospective competitors can find out more by going to philadelphiaeagles.com and clicking on "cheerleaders."