The NFL Draft is typically held in New York City, with Radio City Music Hall being the most frequent venue since 2006. However, the location has varied in recent years, with cities like Chicago (2015–2016), Philadelphia (2017), Dallas (2018), Nashville (2019), and Las Vegas (2022) hosting. The 2025 draft is scheduled for Green Bay, Wisconsin, at Lambeau Field and the Titletown District, April 24–26.
In 2027, Washington, D.C., will host the NFL Draft, marking the city’s first time since 1941 and a significant moment for the nation’s capital. The announcement, made on May 5, 2025, by President Trump at the White House alongside NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Commanders owner Josh Harris, and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, highlights D.C.’s growing prominence as a sports destination. The event will take place on the National Mall, with the Washington Monument and U.S. Capitol as a stunning backdrop, promising a unique spectacle.
The NFL expects over one million visitors for the three-day event, surpassing the record 775,000 attendees at the 2024 Detroit draft. The draft will feature a main stage near the National Gallery of Art, with fan festivities along Pennsylvania Avenue, including the NFL Draft Experience, a free festival with interactive exhibits and player appearances. This aligns with D.C.’s recent sports momentum, following the Commanders’ 2024 NFC Championship run and a $3.7 billion deal to return to RFK Stadium by 2030.
For D.C., hosting the draft is an economic boon, expected to fill hotels and restaurants while showcasing the city globally. The event reflects the Commanders’ resurgence under Harris, who bought the team in 2023, and underscores the NFL’s commitment to rotating drafts to vibrant cities. Pittsburgh hosts in 2026, but D.C.’s 2027 draft promises to set a new standard for scale and spectacle