D.C. is vying to host the 2027 NFL draft with plans to use a significant portion of the event space on the National Mall, as revealed in documents and emails obtained by The Washington Post. The correspondence, obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request to the National Park Service (NPS), sheds light on the discussions between local organizers, Events DC, and NFL executives regarding the potential hosting of the three-day event in the District.
An email from NFL Senior Vice President Brendon Plack confirmed D.C.’s bid for the event, expressing the league’s preference to hold it on the National Mall. The National Park Service has shown support for the draft, provided that it adheres to guidelines for special events and turf management on the iconic cultural landscape.
Local officials have resurrected their draft proposals from previous years in an effort to secure the event for D.C. Discussions with the NFL have been ongoing, with the league suggesting potential locations for the main stage, including 4th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW.
Despite the enthusiasm from D.C. officials, there are challenges to hosting a major commercial event on national parkland, as outlined in NPS policies. Restrictions on commercialization, merchandise sales, logos, and alcohol consumption present hurdles that must be addressed in the planning process.
The NFL typically selects draft host cities several years in advance, with Green Bay and Pittsburgh already confirmed for 2025 and 2026, respectively. While D.C. hopes to secure the 2027 draft, the NPS does not accept permit applications for events more than a year out, posing a potential obstacle to the bid.
The timeline for the NFL’s decision on the 2027 draft remains uncertain, with considerations being made for the history of commercial events on the National Mall. As D.C. continues its efforts to secure the event, the league’s decision will ultimately determine the outcome of the bid. The selection process for hosting the NFL draft could extend until next May, following the timeline used for awarding the 2026 draft. Denver and Charlotte are strong contenders to host a future draft, but many cities are vying for the opportunity. There is fierce competition among cities to win the bid, with no guarantee that Washington, D.C. will be successful in its efforts.
If Washington, D.C. secures the 2027 draft, it would be a significant indication of the Commanders’ improved reputation under new owner Josh Harris. Harris bought the team from Snyder for a record $6.05 billion last year. Following the acquisition, Mayor Bowser established a sports team within the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development to support professional and recreational sports teams and attract sporting events to the District.
The NFL previously held the draft in New York before moving it to Chicago in 2015 and 2016. Since then, the event has rotated to different NFL cities annually. The 2020 draft was conducted remotely due to the pandemic. The decision to relocate the draft from New York was initially due to a scheduling conflict at Radio City Music Hall but has been beneficial for the league, garnering support and enthusiasm from various cities.
The 2021 draft in Detroit drew an average of 12.1 million viewers for the opening round, surpassing viewership for major sporting events like the World Series, Stanley Cup Finals, NBA Finals, and college football games.