President Trump announced Monday that Washington, D.C., will host the 2027 NFL draft, touting it as a major cultural event and as part of a broader effort to improve the city.
Trump was flanked in the Oval Office by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Washington Commanders owner Josh Harris and Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser (D), as well as multiple administration officials.
“I’m pleased to reveal that the 2027 NFL draft — that’s a big thing — will be held right here in the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C., on the National Mall,” Trump said.
Officials said they expected more than 1 million people to come to the nation’s capital to attend the NFL draft, which has in recent years rotated among different cities. Last month’s draft took place in Green Bay, Wis., and the 2026 draft will take place in Pittsburgh.
The draft announcement comes on the heels of a $4 billion agreement between the Commanders and the District for the team to build a stadium at the site where RFK Stadium stands. The team currently plays its home games in Landover, Md.
“We believe in investing in sports because they have helped us transform neighborhoods, and the NFL bringing this event to the nation’s capital will help us fill hotel rooms, our restaurants; and Americans from all 50 states will come to their nation’s capital and enjoy our beautiful city and museums,” Bowser said.
The mayor and her team have been working for nearly a year to bring the draft to the National Mall.
Bowser’s appearance in the Oval Office marked a stark contrast to Trump’s first term, when she butted heads with the president, in particular during 2020 protests in the city.
Trump has repeatedly inserted himself into various sporting events in the early months of his second term, attending the Super Bowl, the Daytona 500 and an Ultimate Fighting Championship event since taking back the White House.
The president weighed in during last month’s NFL draft to question why teams were passing on quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who was eventually drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round.
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