Minneapolis will host the 2028 NFL draft presented by Bud Light, bringing one of the biggest spectacles in sports to the region and positioning Minnesota at the center of the football world for three days, the NFL announced on May 19. The NFL chose Minneapolis to host the 2028 NFL draft at the NFL Spring League Meeting this year in Orlando, Florida. Minneapolis will host the draft in coordination with Minnesota Sports and Events (MNSE), the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings, and regional partners.
“Minnesota knows how to show up for big moments, and we’ve seen it firsthand,” says NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in a prepared statement. “This is a market that delivers at the highest level. Working with the Minnesota Vikings and Minnesota Sports and Events, we look forward to bringing the 2028 NFL draft to this great community, driving positive economic impact throughout the region, and hosting an incredible experience for fans and the next generation of the NFL.”
The 2028 NFL draft will take place in downtown Minneapolis, with activations anchored around U.S. Bank Stadium. The multiday celebration will include the NFL Draft Theater; NFL Draft Experience presented by Bud Light, the league’s ultimate free fan festival; community events; live entertainment; and a wide range of activations throughout the region. Hundreds of thousands of fans are expected to attend the event, which has become one of the most anticipated and widely viewed spectacles on the sports calendar.
“This is an extraordinary moment for Minnesota and a testament to what can happen when organizations, partners, and community leaders come together behind a shared vision,” says Wendy Williams Blackshaw, president and CEO of MNSE. “The NFL draft is one of the biggest and most impactful events in sports, and we are incredibly honored the NFL has entrusted Minnesota with this opportunity. Alongside the Minnesota Vikings; U.S. Bank Stadium; and our many corporate, civic, and hospitality partners, we look forward to creating an unforgettable experience for fans while generating meaningful economic impact and showcasing the very best of our region to a global audience.”
“For three days, Minnesota will become the center of the football world,” says Mark Wilf, owner and president of the Minnesota Vikings and honorary co-chair of the 2028 NFL Draft Local Organizing Committee. “The 2028 NFL draft will give us an opportunity to showcase not just U.S. Bank Stadium, but the energy, hospitality, and pride that define Minneapolis-St. Paul and the entire state and region. We have no doubt the community will deliver a world-class event that is unique to Minnesota.”
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey says, “We know how to throw a party in Minneapolis, and the 2028 NFL draft is going to be no exception. From our restaurants and music scene to our world-class parks, lakes, and die-hard football fans, this is going to be an unforgettable weekend for our city. We’re honored to welcome the draft to Minneapolis.”
The NFL draft has evolved into one of the league’s premier major events since moving to a rotating host city model in 2015. The 2026 NFL draft presented by Bud Light in Pittsburgh attracted a record-setting 805,000 fans over three days, while millions watched nationally and internationally. The 2027 NFL draft will take place in Washington, D.C.
The selection of Minnesota for the 2028 NFL draft presented by Bud Light further reinforces the region’s reputation as one of the country’s premier destinations for major sporting and entertainment events. Since 2018, major events hosted in Minnesota have generated more than $800 million in economic impact for the state, including the 2018 Super Bowl, which produced more than $450 million in total economic activity. Most recently, the 2026 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Junior Championship generated $71.5 million in economic impact while attracting more than 247,000 attendees from around the world to Minnesota. Together, these events continue to drive tourism, business activity, and long-term community benefits across the region.
Minnesota’s selection continues the region’s strong track record of successfully hosting major national and international sporting events, including NCAA Men’s and Women’s Final Fours; X Games; 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials Gymnastics; the upcoming 2026 WWE SummerSlam; and numerous other premier collegiate, professional, and entertainment events.
Additional details surrounding the 2028 NFL draft, including dates, programming, and volunteer opportunities, will be announced in the months ahead. In past years, the NFL draft took place in the latter half of April.
