NFL Draft To Be Held in Washington DC in 2027
The NFL joined President Trump and Washington DC leaders in announcing the 2027 NFL Draft in the nation’s capital.
The NFL Draft is expected to draw more than one million visitors to Washington DC over the three days of the draft, which will occur on the national mall between the US Capitol and the Washington Monument.
“Every year, hundreds of young players have their dreams come true as the NFL teams across the land select the best young players in America to join their ranks,” said President Trump in the Oval Office announcement. “The draft is a celebration of one of our country’s most cherished cultural institutions and an annual highlight for football fans everywhere.”
Beginning in 1936 as an idea of Bert Bell, founding owner of the Philadelphia Eagles, the NFL Draft has grown to one of the largest free events in the NFL. Football fans will be able to participate in fan activities ranging from immersive exhibits, interactive games, the NFL Draft Concert Series, and more. The draft had spent decades from 1965 to 2015 in various locations throughout New York City before taking the experience on the road. Philadelphia hosted the 2017 NFL Draft on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
“The draft has really become one of the great sports entertainment events,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell during an Oval Office announcement. “We are excited to bring the 2027 Draft to Washington, D.C., a city rich in history and national pride. With the support of President Trump, the Commanders, Events DC, and Mayor [Muriel] Bowser we’re looking forward to delivering an unforgettable experience as we celebrate the next generation of NFL stars.”
The announcement comes one week after the Washington Commanders reached an agreement with DC leaders to relocate the team’s faciltiies including the stadium from their current home in FedEx Field to a new location inside DC boundaries. Mayor Bowser indicated this will bring an added boost to the local economy.
“We believe in investing in sports,” noted Mayor Bowser.
The 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit featured the largest in-person attendance across the three days at 775,000, while the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay featured more than 600,000 people in attendance across the three days and the second most-watched first round. Unlike the Super Bowl, for which fans pay thousands of dollars for a ticket, NFL Draft tickets are free, so it attracts a larger fan base, and fans can be found representing every team in the league.
“We look forward to welcoming people from across the nation and all over the world,” the President said.
