Now we know that the 2028 NFL Draft is officially coming to Minneapolis after it was confirmed by the NFL and the Minnesota Vikings on Tuesday. The three-day event is a massive draw for the NFL, with over 800,000 fans attending this past year in Pittsburgh.
"A great community, one that I think is going to set a new bar for success of this draft and the impact that it has on the community," said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on Tuesday, announcing the event. "So, I want to congratulate Minnesota and we look forward to seeing you in 2028."
The event has grown tremendously in recent years, with hundreds of thousands coming to Minneapolis.
“Minnesota knows how to show up for big moments, and we've seen it firsthand,” said Goodell. “This is a market that delivers at the highest level. Working with the Minnesota Vikings and Minnesota Sports and Events, we look forward to bringing the 2028 NFL Draft to this great community, driving positive economic impact throughout the region, and hosting an incredible experience for fans and the next generation of the NFL.”
"There's a can't miss element about being there in person, but there's also just a built-in group of people that want to be there, from families to sports agents and people that are in the industry," Downtown Council President and CEO, Adam Duininck explains. "It becomes a real important gathering point for culture beyond even the sports impact."
Duininck also says it'll bring plenty of positive attention to Minnesota and its largest city.
"It is Super Bowl-like in terms of the buildup, the activation, the business downtown, the other ancillary events that happen," he adds. "Again, it becomes such a gathering point for business and culture that it drives a lot of interest in people coming. And so, we expect a full week-plus of events leading up to it."
Last month, the three days of the draft had a financial impact of $200 million for the city of Pittsburgh. Total attendance was an all-time record for the NFL Draft as well.
“For three days, Minnesota will become the center of the football world,” said Mark Wilf, owner and president of the Minnesota Vikings and honorary co-chair of the 2028 NFL Draft Local Organizing Committee. “The 2028 NFL Draft will give us an opportunity to showcase not just U.S. Bank Stadium, but the energy, hospitality and pride that define Minneapolis-St. Paul and the entire state and region. We have no doubt the community will deliver a world-class event that is unique to Minnesota.”
Minnesota is no stranger to hosting major sporting events, and there is quite a lineup coming to the state over the next few years.
“We know how to throw a party in Minneapolis, and the 2028 NFL Draft is going to be no exception,” said Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. “From our restaurants and music scene to our world-class parks, lakes, and diehard football fans, this is going to be an unforgettable weekend for our city. We’re honored to welcome the Draft to Minneapolis.”
Here's a list of what we're expecting here in the Bold North:
2026 Special Olympics USA
The 2026 Special Olympics USA Games will unite 3,000 athletes, 1,500 coaches, 10,000 volunteers, and 75,000 fans from all 50 states, right here in Minnesota.
The Games are scheduled to take place from June 20-26, 2026, at the University of Minnesota, the official host venue. In addition to the university, the event will unfold across other locations, including the National Sports Center in Blaine.
The top two women's players in the world, Nelly Korda of the United States and Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand, will tee it up as favorites for the KPMG PGA Championship this June at Edina's Interlachen Country Club.
(Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
2026 KPMG Women's PGA Championship
This Major LPGA championship will bring the world's best female golfers to the historic Interlachen Country Club in Edina from June 25–28, 2026.
The women's game is experiencing a high right now, with superstars like Nelly Korda, Jeeno Thitikul, Lydia Ko, and last year's PGA champ Minjee Lee leading the way to Interlachen.
The last time Interlachen Country Club hosted a major women's golf tournament was for the 2008 U.S. Women's Open. Interlachen, which just went through a major renovation in 2023, is also scheduled to host the women's U.S. Open again in 2030.
More information on the KPMG PGA Championship can be found here.
Executive Vice President, Talent and Live Events, Paul "Triple H" Levesque attends WWE SummerSlam Press Conference at Beverly Hills Hotel on August 13, 2013 in Beverly Hills, California.
(Photo by Valerie Macon/Getty Images)
2026 WWE SummerSlam
No, it's not traditional sports, but it is still one of professional wrestling's biggest events of the year. WWE SummerSlam is coming to U.S. Bank Stadium on August 1–2, 2026.
The 2026 edition of SummerSlam will be the first WWE live event in Minneapolis since TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs in 2019, and will mark the first time WWE will host a stadium event in the city.
“We are thrilled to welcome the WWE Universe to Minnesota for SummerSlam,” said Wendy Blackshaw, President and CEO of Minnesota Sports and Events. “We will make this summertime wrestling extravaganza accessible for fans of all ages. Through a variety of festivities and ancillary events in the Twin Cities and affordable tickets to the main events at U.S. Bank Stadium, this will be a SummerSlam for all.”
The Virginia Cavaliers celebrate with the trophy after their 85-77 win over the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the 2019 NCAA men's Final Four National Championship game at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 08, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
2027 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament (1st and 2nd Rounds)
On March 19 and 21, 2027, Target Center in Minneapolis will host the first two rounds of the Big Dance.
Minneapolis most recently hosted an NCAA tournament event in April 2022, when the Target Center was the site of the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Final Four.
The most recent NCAA Men’s tournament event was in April 2019, when the Final Four was held at U.S. Bank Stadium.
2028 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships
In March, 2028, U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis will play host to the NCAA Wrestling Championships. That will be the largest venue to ever host the event.
The venue was slated to host the championship in 2020 before it was cancelled due to the pandemic. The first and only other time Minnesota hosted the wrestling championship came back in 1996 at Target Center.
Minnesota Vikings fans react prior to round one of the 2022 NFL Draft on April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
2028 NFL Draft
The 2028 NFL Draft will take place in downtown Minneapolis, with activations anchored around U.S. Bank Stadium.
The multi-day celebration will include the NFL Draft Theater, NFL Draft Experience presented by Bud Light, the league’s ultimate free fan festival, community events, live entertainment and a wide range of activations throughout the region.
"It’s official! Minnesota will host the 2028 NFL draft. Was glad to be part of the team making the case for our state and we’ll be ready to roll out the red carpet for NFL fans visiting from all across the country," Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar posted to social media.
Hundreds of thousands of fans are expected to attend the event, which has become one of the most anticipated and widely viewed spectacles on the sports calendar.
“This is an extraordinary moment for Minnesota and a testament to what can happen when organizations, partners and community leaders come together behind a shared vision,” said Wendy Williams Blackshaw, president and CEO of MNSE. “The NFL Draft is one of the biggest and most impactful events in sports, and we are incredibly honored the NFL has entrusted Minnesota with this opportunity. Alongside the Minnesota Vikings, U.S. Bank Stadium and our many corporate, civic and hospitality partners, we look forward to creating an unforgettable experience for fans while generating meaningful economic impact and showcasing the very best of our region to a global audience.”
Jordan Spieth of the United States celebrates on the bridge as fans cheer after winning the Ryder Cup during singles matches of the 2016 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club on October 2, 2016 in Chaska, Minnesota.
(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
2029 Ryder Cup
In September 2029, Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska will become the first American venue to host a second Ryder Cup.
The legendary international biennial team golf match has become one of the premier events in all of sports, drawing massive (and sometimes rowdy) crowds.
Hazeltine was the Ryder Cup venue in 2016, a fairly dominant 17-11 win for the Americans who have struggled in recent Ryder Cups.
The 2019 event is highly regarded for the epic Friday singles match between Patrick Reed and Rory McIlroy, as well as the U.S. clinching victory when Ryan Moore defeated Lee Westwood.
Hazeltine began its tradition of hosting major championships more than 60 years ago. Beyond the most recent Ryder Cup, it has hosted the U.S. Women’s Open (1966, ’77), the U.S. Open (1970, ’91), the U.S. Senior Open (1983) and the PGA Championship (2002, ’09).
