MINNESOTA OFFICIALLY BIDS FOR 2028 NFL DRAFT

MINNEAPOLIS — Seven years after the “Bold North” hosted Super Bowl LII, Minnesota is aiming to bring the NFL’s premier offseason spectacle back to the Twin Cities. On Wednesday, March 25, 2026, Minnesota Sports and Events (MNSE) officially submitted a formal bid to host the 2028 NFL Draft.

The bid, a collaborative effort between MNSE, the Minnesota Vikings, and U.S. Bank Stadium, seeks to transform the region into a three-day “football universe” that spans beyond downtown Minneapolis.

The Vision: A Regional Celebration

While U.S. Bank Stadium is proposed as the central “anchor” for the draft’s main stage and the interactive NFL Draft Experience, officials are pitching a “truly regional event.”

• TCO Performance Center: The Vikings’ headquarters in Eagan is under evaluation as a site for ancillary events, including youth football clinics and red-carpet arrivals.

• Community Legacy: Organizers hope to leverage the 2028 timing to align with the debut of flag football at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, using the draft to spark local interest in the sport.

“Hosting the NFL Draft would be a defining moment for Minnesota,” said Wendy Blackshaw, President and CEO of MNSE. “We’ve proven we can deliver on the biggest stages, and this bid reflects our confidence in what this region can offer.”

The Economic Stake

The push for the 2028 Draft is fueled by the staggering success of recent host cities.

• Detroit (2024): Set records with over 750,000 attendees and a $213.5 million economic impact.

• Green Bay (2025): Drew over 600,000 fans, generating more than $100 million for the local economy.

Minnesota Vikings Executive Vice President of Public Affairs Lester Bagley emphasized that the team is “vested and invested,” pledging full financial and organizational support to ensure the bid’s success.

Completing the NFC North Cycle

If the bid is successful, Minneapolis would become the final city in the NFC North to host the modern iteration of the draft. Chicago (2015-16), Detroit (2024), and Green Bay (2025) have all hosted since the event began traveling in 2015.

Minnesota is facing competition from other markets, including Buffalo, N.Y., which has also expressed interest. With the 2026 Draft set for Pittsburgh and 2027 already awarded to Washington, D.C., a decision on the 2028 host city is expected from the NFL as early as May 2026.