Commanders will host 2027 NFL Draft from the National Mall in Washington, DC
The 2027 NFL Draft is heading to the nation’s capital, the league confirmed Monday. It will be the second time the NFL Draft has been held in Washington and the first since 1941. The draft is expected to take place at the National Mall and will include other landmarks.
"The NFL Draft has become a marquee event, uniting fans across the country and around the world," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said during the 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 Bowser we're looking forward to delivering an unforgettable experience as we celebrate the next generation of NFL stars."
Washington hosting the draft two years from now is the latest off-field victory for the Commanders, a week since they reached an agreement with the D.C. government to build a stadium on the old RFK site. That is still pending council approval.
The team, under former owner Dan Snyder, unsuccessfully tried to land the draft previously. Now, it’ll happen behind the team’s new ownership group led by Josh Harris, which bought the Commanders from Snyder in 2023.
"What a great day for Washington," Harris said. "I believe we’ll get over a million people, and it’s going to be an amazing day and it’ll showcase what Washington’s all about."
Green Bay, the NFL’s smallest market, hosted the draft last weekend outside historic Lambeau Field. The NFL announced a crowd of 600,000 fans attended over the three days.
The NFL Draft used to be a fixture at Radio City Music Hall in New York and has become an even bigger hit since it hit the road in 2015. Chicago hosted the draft in 2015-16. Philadelphia had it in 2017, followed by Dallas and Nashville.
Goodell announced the picks from his house in 2020 during the pandemic. It went to Cleveland in 2021, followed by Las Vegas, Kansas City and Detroit. A record crowd of 750,000 attended Motown’s draft in 2024. Pittsburgh will host next year.
The draft in Washington in ‘27 will mark the third anniversary of the franchise-altering selection of quarterback Jayden Daniels with the second pick. The Commanders made the playoffs and reached the NFC championship game in Daniels’ rookie year and look to be a Super Bowl contender for years to come.
Success on the field under Harris-hired general manager Adam Peters and coach Dan Quinn has made Washington a premier market again, decades after the organization’s glory days that included three Super Bowl championships.
After the news conference last week unveiling plans to build a 65,000-seat stadium, Goodell said the turnaround from losing to winning is "immeasurable in so many ways."
"This market is obviously critical," Goodell said. "To be able to have a franchise here that everybody here is proud of that’s gotten back on the football field in a positive way and now to have a stadium that brings their team back into D.C., I think that’s a really big step and something that’s going to be great for the NFL, too."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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