Monday, October 12, 2026
  • -
    days
  • -
    hours
  • -
    minutes
  • -
    seconds

It’s Not the Super Bowl, but Hosting the NFL Draft Is the Next Best Thing

  • The draft heads to Green Bay in 2025, and Pittsburgh wants it in ’26.
  • Hosting duties continue to be sought after by cities with no hope of getting the Big Game.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Want more from Front Office Sports
in your search results?

Add Front Office Sports on Google

While Detroit is basking in the spotlight of hosting hundreds of thousands of fans over the next three days for the NFL draft, stakeholders in Green Bay are already gearing up for next year’s event at Lambeau Field and the adjacent Packers Titletown District.

The 2025 draft will mark the 10th time the NFL has taken its traveling road show outside of its longtime former home in New York City.

  • 2015–16: Chicago
  • 2017: Philadelphia
  • 2018: Dallas
  • 2019: Nashville
  • 2020: Virtual
  • 2021: Cleveland
  • 2022: Las Vegas
  • 2023: Kansas City (above)
  • 2024: Detroit
  • 2025: Green Bay

A Nice Consolation Prize

After experiencing early success going to huge media markets with longtime NFL fan bases, the draft this decade has turned into a mini version of a Super Bowl–like event for many cities that don’t have much hope of actually hosting the Big Game anytime soon—and all the media attention and fanfare that comes with it. With Las Vegas as the outlier (hosting the draft and Super Bowl LVIII within a span of 22 months), Cleveland, Kansas City, Detroit (which most recently hosted Super Bowl XL in 2006, a few years after Ford Field opened), and Green Bay aren’t getting their hopes up about the Lombardi Trophy coming to town (unless they win it).

The same can be said for other cities known to be on the prowl for future drafts. Earlier this year, Pittsburgh submitted an official bid to host either the 2026 or ’27 NFL draft. Last year, NFL officials visited Charlotte to hear the city’s pitch for hosting duties. Cincinnati and Denver have also been linked to potential future bids. Whether it’s colder-weather climates, stadiums that aren’t enclosed, or just a lack of hotels and restaurants, it’s safe to say neither of those four markets will be vying to host an upcoming Super Bowl.

Answers Coming Soon

Green Bay was awarded the 2025 draft at last year’s spring owners meeting. The league is scheduled to convene May 20–22 in Nashville, where an announcement on the host of the ’26 and even ’27 draft would not be a surprise.

Which city would you like to see host a future NFL draft? Let us know by replying to this newsletter.

Download the FOS App

The business of sports, in your pocket.

QR code to download the app

Scan the QR code to get the app now.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

ESPN

Disney Stacks Super Bowl LXI Lineup With Even More Alt-Casts

Disney adds to its cross-platform coverage of the upcoming NFL title game.

Kentucky Will Pay LSU $500K SEC Field-Storming Fine

The SEC changed its fine policy ahead of the 2025 football season.
Sep 21, 2026; Inglewood, CA, USA; Pat McAfee on the ESPN Monday Night Countdown set at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Opinion

Could Pat McAfee’s Super Alt-Cast Be an MNF Tryout?

McAfee will host a Field Pass alt-cast for Super Bowl LXI.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

10/9/26 – MLB’s 154-Game Pitch, NFL Bets on SCOTUS, Shaq Says Barkley Isn’t Leaving

0:00

Featured Today

Oct 5, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas arrives at the arena before the Penguins host the Winnipeg Jets at PPG Paints Arena

NHL’s New Wave of GMs Is Built Different

“I am in the prediction business,” Devils GM Sunny Mehta tells FOS.
Action Images/Peter Cziborra
October 9, 2026

Is Leicester City’s $264 Million Price Tag Too Rich for Hungry Investors?

After falling from grace, how much is a former top club worth?
Oct 3, 2026; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer waits to run onto the field prior to the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
October 7, 2026

Who Is Alabama Football in Year 3 Under Kalen DeBoer?

The No. 6 Crimson Tide host No. 2 Georgia on Saturday.
Cubs behind the scenes
October 6, 2026

Hollywood and TikTok: Sports Media’s New ‘Blueprint’

Teams and leagues are pouring money into the quest for fans.
October 2, 2026

How the Baseball Cap Became a ‘Behemoth’

The hat has become essential for athletes, fans, and the sports-agnostic.

Dodgers’ Payroll Bigger Than Rest of MLB Final Four Combined

The LCS round highlights a revenue and spending imbalance.
October 11, 2026

Bears, Saints, Packers Pay Tribute to Mike Ditka

The Bears are wearing an “89” helmet decal in tribute.
October 12, 2026

World Team Tennis Returns With New Model—and Some Stars

World Team Tennis returns in December.
Sponsored

Beyond the Scorecard: How Dow Is Putting Purpose at the Center of Women’s Golf

Discover how Dow and the LPGA are building a partnership with lasting impact.
October 10, 2026

Sophie Cunningham Hits Back at Athletic Column: ‘Suck It’

WNBA star fires back at critical column by The Athletic.
Rose Zhang, left, Linn Grant, Yana Wilson and Danielle Kang, of New York Golf Club are introduced during WTGL Media Day at SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida on September 20, 2026.
October 9, 2026

Rose Zhang Hopes Nelly Korda Joins WTGL In Season 2

There are five WTGL teams with five players each.
Soccer Football - Premier League - Everton v Manchester United - Hill Dickinson Stadium, Liverpool, Britain - September 6, 2026 Everton's Ainsley Maitland-Niles celebrates scoring their second goal with Jack Grealish Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR 'LIVE' SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 120 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE FOR FURTHER DETAILS..
October 9, 2026

Everton Weighs Sale Less Than Two Years After Friedkin Group Takeover

Everton is currently seventh in the Premier League.
October 9, 2026

MLB’s Next 5 Years: Realignment, Expansion, and 154 Games?

The latest schedule proposal adds to major changes on the way.