The NFL Draft caravan keeps rolling, and the league is already mapping out its future destinations. With the 2026 draft in the books and Washington D.C. locked in for 2027, attention is shifting to 2028 and 2029 — and two cities have emerged as the clear frontrunners.
According to Ben Fischer of the Sports Business Journal, Minnesota is the “clear favorite” to host the 2028 NFL Draft. The state has been actively lobbying for the event since March, with plans to center the main festivities at U.S. Bank Stadium, home of the Vikings. Additional events would spill into St. Paul, the Mall of America, and the team’s headquarters in Eagan.
The NFL is expected to make a final call on the 2028 location in mid-May, and all signs point to the Land of 10,000 Lakes getting the nod. It’s a massive opportunity for a region that has long been a hub for major sports events, including the 2018 Super Bowl.
But the league isn’t stopping there. Fischer reports that Cincinnati has the “inside track” for the 2029 draft. The Queen City, home to Joe Burrow and the Bengals, has been quietly building its case. However, don’t expect an official announcement anytime soon — the NFL doesn’t need to commit to a 2029 site for at least another year.
Commissioner Roger Goodell acknowledged the growing complexity of hosting the draft, comparing it to the challenges faced by Super Bowl cities. “The Super Bowl has gotten to a point where, it’s not the stadium size… but also it’s hotel rooms and all the other facilities that are necessary,” Goodell said on The Pat McAfee Show. “Hosting the draft is slightly easier, but it’s getting more difficult.”
That difficulty hasn’t stopped cities from lining up. The draft has become a multi-day spectacle that draws hundreds of thousands of fans, with events spread across downtown areas, stadiums, and landmarks. For Minnesota, the infrastructure is already in place. For Cincinnati, it’s about proving it can handle the spotlight.
The 2027 draft in Washington D.C. will be held at the National Mall, setting a high bar for spectacle. But Minnesota and Cincinnati are eager to follow suit. While 2028 looks like a near-certainty, 2029 remains more fluid. A lot can change in a year, but the inside track is clear.
For now, the NFL’s draft tour is on a path that could bring the event to the heart of the Midwest twice in two years. That’s a win for fans in those regions — and a sign that the league is serious about spreading the wealth.
As the process unfolds, keep an eye on how other cities might try to muscle in. But for now, Minnesota and Cincinnati have the pole positions.
