Minneapolis Is the Favorite to Host the 2028 NFL Draft, Here Is What the Bid Includes
Minneapolis and St. Paul are now considered the frontrunners
Minneapolis and St. Paul are now considered the frontrunners to host the 2028 NFL Draft, according to multiple sources familiar with the NFL's planning process. The formal ownership vote is scheduled for May 19-20 in Orlando, which means a decision is just weeks away.
This is not a rumor or a long shot. Sources close to the NFL's events committee are calling Minnesota a clear favorite, and the bid is already taking shape.
What the Minnesota Bid Includes
The Minnesota Vikings and Minnesota Sports and Events submitted a formal proposal to the NFL in March. The plan centers on U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis as the main event hub, with additional activations spread across St. Paul, the Mall of America in Bloomington, and Viking Lakes, the Vikings' development campus in Eagan.
One thing worth noting: Minnesota does not have a permanent public funding source for major events like many peer cities do. Cities like Cincinnati and Indianapolis rely on dedicated tourism taxes or public sports commissions to fund bids and operations. The Minnesota bid leans on corporate support and broad regional backing instead. That is not necessarily a problem, but it is a different model.
Why the Economic Impact Projections Are Worth Paying Attention To
The traveling NFL Draft has grown into one of the largest free public events in the country. Pittsburgh hosted the 2026 Draft and set a new all-time attendance record with 805,000 fans over three days. Green Bay hosted in 2025, drew roughly 600,000 people, and generated an estimated $104 million in statewide economic impact.
Minnesota Sports and Events is projecting $200 million in economic impact for the Twin Cities, which officials say reflects the larger market size and the multi-venue scale of what they are planning.
Commissioner Roger Goodell said last week that the NFL is going to start allocating drafts further in advance because the event has simply outgrown a short planning window. The league is also reportedly considering awarding two host cities at the same time, with Cincinnati said to have the inside track on 2029 if that happens.
What Comes Next
The only confirmed future draft host is 2027, when Washington, D.C., will bring the event to the National Mall. After that, 2028 is wide open, and the field includes Baltimore, Buffalo, Houston, Indianapolis, Seattle, and others. Charlotte and Jacksonville are ruled out for 2028 due to ongoing stadium renovation projects.
Nothing is final until the vote. But if you have been wondering whether the Twin Cities can pull off a major national event at this scale, the NFL appears to believe they can.
Thinking about buying or selling in the Twin Cities? Let's talk. Text Darin Bjerknes at 612-702-5126 or DM on Instagram @darintheminnesotan.
