AP

The NFL is moving the first round of its popular draft to Thursday night.

Next year’s draft will switch from a two-day, weekend format to a three-day event with the opening round in prime time for the first time. The NFL said Thursday that the first round will begin at 7:30 p.m. on April 22. The second and third rounds will open at 6:30 p.m. on Friday and the last four rounds will start Saturday morning.

The draft will continue to be held at Radio City Music Hall. It was a Saturday-Sunday event from 1995-2009.