Washington Commanders and NFL Set to Break Attendance Records with 2027 Draft in D.C.
In a move that has the sports world buzzing, the District of Columbia is gearing up to host the NFL draft in 2027, and it’s expected to be a record-breaking event. The announcement came during a news conference at the White House, where Washington Commanders owner Josh Harris and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell shared their ambitious predictions. Both Harris and Goodell are confident that the event will draw over a million fans, setting a new benchmark for NFL draft attendance.
Dubbed the “million-fan three-day march,” this event is poised to be a spectacle like no other. “I believe we’ll get over a million people,” Harris stated, echoing Goodell’s sentiment, “We believe we’ll have well over a million people when we come here.”
The announcement was made official by President Donald Trump, who revealed that the 2027 draft will take place on the National Mall, with the iconic Capitol Building serving as a stunning backdrop. If the predictions hold true, this event will surpass previous records, including the 750,000 attendees in Detroit two years ago and the 600,000 fans who gathered in Green Bay last month.
Since 2015, the NFL draft has been a traveling event, moving from city to city each year. Next spring, it will be held in Pittsburgh, but all eyes are already on D.C. for 2027. The announcement was made in the Oval Office, with Goodell, Harris, and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser present alongside President Trump.
In addition to the draft, the city and the team have announced plans to build a new stadium at the RFK Stadium site, just two miles from the Capitol. This development is part of a broader strategy to attract major events, including the Super Bowl, to the nation’s capital. For now, however, the focus is on the draft and the excitement it will bring to the city.
“The draft is a celebration of one of our most cherished cultural institutions,” President Trump remarked. “Everyone in the world is going to be watching.”
The economic impact of such an event is significant. The Detroit Sports Commission estimated that the 2024 draft brought in $213.6 million to the city. The first round of last month’s draft was watched by 13.6 million people, making it the second most-watched in history, trailing only the 2020 first round.
Goodell emphasized the importance of the draft as a major entertainment event, stating, “The draft has become one of the great entertainment sports events. We can have a tremendous impact on this community, and it will not just be an event, it will show the world how far the nation’s capital has come and where it’s going.”
This announcement marks the second major event involving Goodell in D.C. in just a week. Previously, he attended a press conference to announce a nearly $4 billion stadium deal between the team and the city. This deal, however, still requires approval from the D.C. Council.
- 2027 NFL Draft to be held in D.C.
- Predicted attendance: Over 1 million fans
- Event to take place on the National Mall
- New stadium planned at RFK Stadium site
- Potential economic impact: Hundreds of millions
As the countdown to 2027 begins, the anticipation is palpable. The combination of a historic location, a massive fan turnout, and the potential for significant economic benefits makes this event one to watch. The NFL draft in D.C. is set to be a landmark occasion, showcasing the city’s growth and its ability to host world-class events.
Originally Written by: John Keim
