Washington Commanders to Host 2027 NFL Draft: A Rivalry Renewed

Despite having a formal season spanning only four months, the NFL has transformed this period into a continuous engagement throughout the entire year. The focal point during what’s known as the off-season is undoubtedly the NFL Draft. This process begins almost immediately after the last play of the latest Super Bowl. Leading up to the draft, there are various all-star events culminating in the NFL Combine, where prospects undergo physical assessments and job interviews take place, followed by individual team workouts called Pro Days. Thus, it becomes a rigorous three-month journey towards reaching the ultimate objective.

Starting from 2015, the draft has become akin to a roaming carnival for the league. Each year, it’s hosted in various NFL cities, having visited nine distinct locations since then. The initial two drafts were held consecutively in Chicago before moving to a fresh city each subsequent year except for 2020; initially planned for Las Vegas, it had to be canceled because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Following the conclusion of this year's event in Green Bay, Wisconsin, officials declared on Monday that Washington, D.C., would host the draft in 2027.

For many years, the draft took place in New York City, but following its prolonged success, Giants and Jets serving as the host, the NFL initiated the rotational system. In 2018, Dallas took over the responsibility following Philadelphia’s turn one year prior. Fast forward to 2027; now it's the last remaining NFC East team's opportunity to act as the host for this prestigious occasion. Given that none of the current stadiums meet the requirements necessary for such an undertaking, the festivities will take place at the Washington Mall instead.

The event is set to take place in Pittsburgh in 2026 as the league aims to recognize cities that have slim chances of being selected for a Super Bowl due to harsh wintertime conditions.

Recently, Washington revealed plans to construct a new stadium at the location of the historical RFK Stadium. This development would bring the team back into the city from their present suburban venue in Landover, MD. The facility will feature a closed dome. The stadium is estimated to cost approximately $3.7 billion for construction. , which will utilize approximately $1 billion in public funds to take place.

That construction won't happen anywhere in time for this event, so the gathering will head to federal lands instead.

If the The 600,000 figure for Green Bay suggests something. Attendance over the course of this three-day event might surpass the figures seen at recent presidential inaugurations, where numbers have been relatively sparse because of factors like adverse weather and health-related issues.

The article initially appeared on Cowboys Wire. The Cowboys' rivals, the Washington Commanders, will host the 2027 NFL draft.