Vikings Make Bid to Host 2028 NFL Draft at U.S. Bank Stadium

Detroit Lakes, MN (KDLM) – The Minnesota Vikings are officially in the running to host the 2028 NFL Draft, submitting a formal bid through Minnesota Sports and Events on Wednesday.

If selected, the event would be held at U.S. Bank Stadium in downtown Minneapolis — one of the most modern and acclaimed venues in professional sports.

The bid places Minnesota in competition with other NFL markets for the rights to one of the league’s most-watched offseason spectacles. The Draft has evolved over recent years from a broadcast-only event into a massive, multi-day festival that draws enormous crowds and generates significant tourism revenue for host cities.

U.S. Bank Stadium, which opened in 2016, has a proven track record of hosting high-profile events, including Super Bowl LII in 2018 and the Final Four. Its downtown location, connected skyway system, and close proximity to hotels and entertainment make it an attractive candidate for an event of this scale.

The NFL is expected to announce its decision on the 2028 Draft location later this year. Vikings and Minnesota officials will make their case to the league as part of the selection process.