Vikings Submit Bid to Host 2028 NFL Draft in Minneapolis at U.S. Bank Stadium

The Minnesota Vikings are looking to get their opportunity to host a future NFL draft.

Wendy Blackshaw, president and CEO of the Minnesota Sports and Events Commission, announced on Wednesday the organization has submitted a formal bid for U.S. Bank Stadium to host the 2028 NFL draft.

Lester Bagley, the Vikings' executive vice president of public affairs, told reporters the team has "basically been staying in their face for multiple years" speaking about their efforts to convince the NFL to hold the draft in Minnesota.

Vikings owner Mark Wilf said in a press conference last July that the club has been doing all it can to bring the draft to the city.

"We certainly have been working with the Minnesota events group and the NFL to put our community out there to make sure we can get a draft," Wilf said. "We've shown we can do big events. It'll be an outstanding venue when we get it, we're working very hard to get it here."

The NFL has taken the draft on the road every year since 2015, with the exception of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Previous host sites include Chicago, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Kansas City and Detroit. The 2026 draft will be held in Pittsburgh, primarily at the Steelers' home in Acrisure Stadium and also Point State Park.

Washington D.C. has already been announced as the host for the 2027 event. The league made that announcement last May, so a decision on the 2028 draft would seemingly come around the same time this year.

U.S. Bank Stadium has been the Vikings' home since the 2016 season. The stadium's first marquee football event was Super Bowl 52 in February 2018 that saw the Philadelphia Eagles defeat the New England Patriots.

Other notable sporting events that have taken place at U.S. Bank Stadium include the Final Four and national championship game in the 2019 NCAA men's tournament; and the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup Quarterfinals.

The stadium will also serve as the host for WWE's SummerSlam premium live event on Aug. 1 and 2.