Minnesota 'considered favorite' to host 2028 NFL Draft

The 2026 NFL Draft just ended, but the league is already looking toward future draft locations.

While the location for the 2027 NFL Draft was decided last year, the league still has to choose which city will host the 2028 event. However, it appears the NFL is closing in on a choice, with Minnesota emerging as the heavy favorite.

If that’s the case, expect the Vikings to play a big role as host, as teams have done in recent years.

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) April 30, 2026

Here's what to know about the 2028 NFL Draft location.

Will Minnesota host the 2028 NFL Draft?

According to Ben Fischer of the Sports Business Journal, Minnesota is the current favorite to land the 2028 NFL Draft.  Nothing is official yet, but the expectation is that the league wants to name a location by the next quarterly meeting.

If it goes through, this will make the NFC North the first division to have had all four of its teams host the NFL Draft.

When will the 2028 NFL Draft location be announced?

Per the report, the NFL will announce the destination for the 2028 NFL Draft at the quarterly meetings from May 19-20. The league's events committee will meet on the matter next week to solidify plans for the draft in two years.

Details on Minnesota NFL Draft bid

Minnesota's bid for the 2028 NFL Draft includes both Minneapolis and St. Paul in an effort to spread events across the Twin Cities. MNSE EVP of business development and tourism Matt Meunier said the TCO Performance Center is also a big part of the bid.

"Flag football, youth football is going to continue to be more prominent as it relates to the NFL and leaning into 2028 and the L.A. [Olympic] Games, so there's potential to stage some youth football and community legacy events out at TCO Performance Center, but in addition to that, every event Minnesota Sports and Events hosts, we're really intentional about staging events throughout the region and not just downtown [Minneapolis]," Meunier said.

Additionally, Minnesota's plan is to incorporate the entire state into the event, creating a broader celebration. As a result, both Minneapolis and St. Paul would play prominent roles in the NFL Draft, with U.S. Bank Stadium serving as a central venue.

Other cities in running to host 2028 NFL Draft

Besides Minnesota, other locations that were considered for the 2028 NFL Draft were Baltimore, Buffalo, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Houston, Jacksonville, Indianapolis and Seattle.

Where is the 2027 Draft?

Next year, the 2027 NFL Draft will take place in Washington D.C., with the National Mall set to be the primary location.