Minneapolis has officially submitted a bid to host the 2028 NFL Draft, proposing U.S. Bank Stadium as the venue for this major sporting event. Wendy Blackshaw, the president and CEO of the Minnesota Sports and Events Commission, confirmed the city’s intentions on Wednesday, signaling a strong push to bring the draft to the Twin Cities.
The NFL Draft, a highly anticipated event where teams select new players, is scheduled to take place in Pittsburgh next month and will be held in Washington, D.C., in 2027. Typically, the league announces the host city approximately two years in advance, which means Minneapolis could receive a decision soon regarding its bid.
Historically, the NFL Draft was held exclusively in New York from 1965 through 2014. However, since 2015, the event has rotated among various cities across the United States, including Chicago (2015-2016), Philadelphia (2017), Arlington, Texas (2018), Nashville, Tennessee (2019), Cleveland (2021), Las Vegas (2022), Kansas City (2023), Detroit (2024), and Green Bay, Wisconsin (2025). Notably, the 2020 draft was conducted virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic, marking a unique moment in its history.
Minneapolis’ bid reflects the city’s growing reputation as a premier sports destination, leveraging the modern facilities of U.S. Bank Stadium. If selected, the event would bring significant attention and economic benefits to the region, further cementing its place on the national sports stage.
