Future NFL Draft Locations: Host Cities for NFL Draft in 2023 and Beyond
The NFL has continued to transform the draft into a traveling show that has attracted millions of spectators every year since 2015. It’s undeniable that the NFL draft is one of the most exciting events of the year for football fans, with 32 teams exiting the annual event in late April full of optimism and hope for the future.
It’s noteworthy that the NFL draft has had a permanent home in New York for over fifty years. However, beginning in 2015, the league’s main off-season event has been held in six cities, including Las Vegas, in 2022 and subsequent years, making it a worldwide event. Future NFL Draft destinations are now selected in advance based on votes from the 32 club owners after assessing the individual applications from different cities. This method is comparable to the selection of Super Bowl venues. In addition, those who gamble on futures in NFL odds may be able to speculate on the city that will hold the following draft.
Based on the decision made by club owners three years ago to choose Kansas City as the event’s host, it’s predicted that the 2023 National Football League Draft will take place between the 27th and 29th of April. The exact site will be in downtown Kansas City, near the National World War I Museum, the Memorial, and Union Station. So let’s examine the future host cities and when the NFL Draft is expected to take place.
How will the 2023 NFL Draft work?
Teams must have been evaluating prospects (college players) for months or years before D-Day, just as they have in recent times. Before making their final picks, college football teams use statistics to judge how well these players have done.
During the NFL Scouting Combine in February, teams will also get to know the players better. The Combine is where over 300 of the most eligible players for the Draft get to display their abilities. This annual event is also where sports broadcasters and fans begin anticipating the NFL Draft.
Following their evaluations, teams create a wish list of players they want to draft, along with alternative picks. They have to make alternative lists in case of teams ahead of them in the draft select an athlete on their wish list.
2023 NFL Draft Host: Kansas City
The 2023 NFL Draft is slated to be held in Kansas City between the 27th and the 29th of April. The NFL is expected to come to the city’s historic Union Station near the WWI Museum and Memorial.
Hosting the NFL Draft also has immense positive financial implications for the city. When the event was held in Dallas, it reportedly drew in over $125 million. The Nashville 2019 NFL Draft generated over $220 million. However, Cleveland recorded a little over $40 million due to post-COVID economic effects.
2024 NFL Draft Host City: Detroit
At a press conference held on Monday during the annual owners’ meetings, the NFL announced that the 2024 NFL Draft would be held in Detroit. Earlier sources indicated that the top three for the 2024 competition were Detroit, Green Bay, and Washington.
2025 NFL Draft: Who is hosting?
Charles Robinson, a Yahoo Sports NFL expert, said in May 2022 that Wisconsin would “probably” be able to host the NFL Draft in 2025, even though it lost out to Detroit for the 2024 event.
Conclusion
For many years, the NFL Draft was hosted in New York City, mostly at Radio City Music Hall. However, in recent years, the league has decided to give other cities a chance to host the event, with the 2022 Draft taking place in Las Vegas. The biggest selection event in football is looking at expanding to even more cities throughout the United States.
