The 2027 NFL Draft will take place in Washington, D.C., but the location for the 2028 draft remains undecided. However, all signs point to Minnesota as the frontrunner.
Austin Karp of Sports Business Journal reports that the state is the "clear favorite" to host the event. Minnesota submitted its bid in March, proposing a three-day draft centered at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Additional events would be held in St. Paul, the Mall of America, and the Viking Lakes development near the Minnesota Vikings’ headquarters in Eagan.
Key Dates and Next Steps
The NFL’s events committee is set to meet next week to review bids for the 2028 draft. A formal ownership vote is expected during the league’s next meeting, scheduled for May 19–20 in Orlando.
Draft’s Evolution into a National Road Show
The NFL Draft transitioned into a multi-city event in 2015, expanding its appeal beyond its traditional New York City home. Since then, the draft has been hosted by:
- Chicago (2015, 2016)
- Philadelphia (2017)
- Dallas (2018)
- Nashville (2019)
- Cleveland (2021)
- Las Vegas (2022)
- Kansas City (2023)
- Detroit (2024)
- Green Bay (2025)
- Pittsburgh (2026)
As the draft continues to draw record crowds—despite any adjustments to official attendance figures—its growing popularity makes it an increasingly attractive option for host cities nationwide.