The NFL announced on Tuesday that Minneapolis will host the 2028 NFL Draft, marking the first time the city will stage the league’s annual event.
The league shared the news with fans on X, posting, “The 2028 #NFLDraft is heading to Minnesota!”
NFL owners approved the decision during the Spring League Meeting, with the Minneapolis-St. Paul area and the Minnesota Vikings set to organize the event.
The main draft stage and fan attractions will take place around U.S. Bank Stadium in downtown Minneapolis.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell praised Minnesota’s experience in hosting major sporting events and highlighted the expected economic boost for the region.
"Working with the Minnesota Vikings and Minnesota Sports and Events, we look forward to bringing the 2028 NFL Draft to this great community," Goodell said, via the NFL. "Driving positive economic impact throughout the region, and hosting an incredible event for fans and the next generation of the NFL."
Since leaving New York in 2015, the NFL Draft has rotated through several cities across the United States.
The most recent draft was held in Pittsburgh at Point State Park and Acrisure Stadium. The 2026 event attracted a record three-day attendance of 805,000 fans. In that draft, quarterback Fernando Mendoza went first overall to the Las Vegas Raiders, while edge rusher David Bailey was selected second by the New York Jets.
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Before Minneapolis hosts in 2028, Washington, D.C. will stage the 2027 NFL Draft. League officials expect more than one million fans to attend festivities across the National Mall and Pennsylvania Avenue.
The main stage for the 2027 draft will be built outside the U.S. Capitol Building, marking the first time the nation’s capital has hosted the draft since 1941.
