The NFL Draft is set to take place at the National Mall in 2027, as announced by President Donald Trump on Monday. He expects the event to attract over 1 million attendees across three days.
Standing at a desk in the Oval Office, Trump was flanked by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, team owner Josh Harris of the Washington Commanders, and DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, all expressing their gratitude towards the president for facilitating the contract.
Goodell noted that the draft has become a significant event in sports and entertainment, mentioning that over 600,000 people attended in Green Bay just over a week ago, with nearly 800,000 in Detroit the previous year.
He emphasized that the Mall is not only a fitting venue but also supports community investment—particularly crucial for the capital. “We think this will really impact the community. It’s beyond just the event,” he stated.
Harris characterized the announcement as “a great day for Washington,” gifting Trump with a Commanders jersey and dubbing him the “ultimate commander.”
Historically, the draft had been held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, but that has changed. The format transitioned into a three-day event, with multiple cities hosting, including Chicago, Philadelphia, and Dallas in earlier years. During the 2020 draft, Goodell made selections from home due to the pandemic, and cities such as Cleveland, Las Vegas, Kansas City, and Detroit have since hosted.
Next year, Pittsburgh is set to host the draft.
