Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN/WGR Sports Radio 550) - The Buffalo Bills intend to make a pitch to host the 2028 NFL Draft, as first reported by The Buffalo News.
Over the years, the NFL Draft has become a destination event. It's a major event on the NFL calendar that attracts huge audiences online, on TV and in person.
In April of this year, it's estimated that 775,000 fans gathered in Downtown Detroit for the three-day event, which set a new attendance record for the draft.
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown told WBEN on Friday he would love to see the NFL Draft come to Western New York.
"We certainly have offered our assistance," said Brown.
The mayor indicated the Bills have not asked for assistance at this point, but added, "we do have a meeting that is coming up."
Even if the event is held at the new stadium, which is slated to open in time for the 2026 season, Brown says the City of Buffalo would greatly benefit.
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"It would mean that hotels and restaurants in Downtown Buffalo would be full of people," he said. "There are not enough hotel rooms in Orchard Park or the suburbs of Buffalo to service an event as large as that. Hotels in Buffalo are critically important and critically needed. In fact, there are more hotel rooms in the City of Buffalo than anyplace in the region."
The 2025 NFL Draft will be held in Green Bay, while the 2026 NFL Draft was recently announced for Pittsburgh. The 2027 draft city has not been selected at this time.
Turnout in Detroit was a win for city officials, who spent months hyping the event as an opportunity to put Detroit’s best foot forward.
The economic impact of the 2024 NFL Draft was put at more than $165 million.
"We think that Erie County and Buffalo would be a great place to host the draft," said Mayor Brown. "Obviously, the hub of the region, the heartbeat of Western New York is the city of Buffalo. We would love to see the NFL Draft come to Western New York."