Minneapolis to host 2028 NFL draft, league announces

Minneapolis will play host to the 2028 NFL draft, the league announced on Tuesday.

Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer first reported the NFL would award the event to Minneapolis. ESPN's Adam Schefter later confirmed the report. 

The event will take place in downtown Minneapolis, "anchored around U.S. Bank Stadium," according to the NFL.

"Minnesota knows how to show up for big moments, and we've seen it firsthand," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said. "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."  

Minnesota Sports and Events, the Vikings and U.S. Bank Stadium announced in March they were making a bid to host the draft. 

"It's a chance to showcase what not only the team, but what Minneapolis has to offer us, and St. Paul, and the Twin Cities in general," said Ryan Johnson, host of the Vikings Uncensored podcast.

Leaders with Minnesota Sports and Events said preparations had already been underway behind the scenes before the announcement as the state competed to land the event. Wendy Blackshaw, president and CEO of MSE, said the organization submitted a 238-page proposal to the NFL outlining possible locations, community initiatives and operational plans connected to the draft.  

Blackshaw said the NFL has previously praised Minneapolis for its walkability, compact downtown footprint and skyway system during Super Bowl week in 2018.  

Organizers said previous drafts have drawn more than half a million fans to host cities and generated more than $200 million in economic impact. Blackshaw noted that Minnesota's projected impact could reach into the hundreds of millions of dollars.

"We love the idea of bringing this huge event that will bring so much economic impact into the market," she said. "Especially for businesses, hotels, restaurants in Minneapolis that have struggled."

The draft is free for fans to attend and has become known for massive crowds and festival-like atmospheres. Recent host cities, including Detroit, Green Bay and Pittsburgh, have drawn hundreds of thousands of visitors.

"You have people just wall to wall," Johnson said. "They're all cheering for their team. The atmosphere itself I think is going to be worth the price of admission."

Minnesota leaders also point to experience hosting large-scale events like the Super Bowl, Final Four and X Games, saying the state already has relationships and infrastructure in place to handle major crowds and security operations.

"Despite the fact that it was 15 below zero on Super Bowl Sunday, we did a really great job," Blackshaw said.  

Minnesota has never hosted the draft before, but 2028 will complete the NFC North tour, with Green Bay holding it in 2025, Detroit in 2024 and Chicago multiple times.

The draft is a three-day production, with plenty of ancillary events.