Washington’s return to the NFL limelight continues apace, with the Commanders rise to the rank of Super Bowl contender now being followed by the announcement that the capital will play host to the 2027 NFL Draft.

Hosted in partnership with the Commanders and the local organising committee, Events DC, the 2027 draft will take place across the District’s most iconic landmarks, including the National Mall and Pennsylvania Avenue, placing the capital at the centre of America’s most celebrated sport for three life-changing days.

The announcement was made today in the Oval Office, with president Donald Trump taking centre stage alongside NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, Commanders managing partner Josh Harris and DC mayor Muriel Bowser, who last week confirmed plans for the Commanders to return to the capital and build a new venue on the site of their former home at RFK Stadium.

“It’s going to be something that nobody else will ever be able to duplicate,” Trump said in typically bombastic fashion. “The draft is a celebration of one of our country’s most cherished cultural institutions, and an annual highlight for football fans everywhere — everyone in the world is going to be watching. We look forward to welcoming people from across the nation, from all over the world.”

Welcoming the NFL to his doorstep, and celebrating Washington hosting the draft marks something of a U-turn for Trump, who has seemingly gone out of his way to criticise the league following several failed attempts to purchase teams, and his involvement in the collapse of the original USFL when he tried to pit the spring league in direct competition with the establishment. More recently, he was scathing in his opinion of the league’s apparent support for players protesting against police violence by kneeling during the national anthem.

D.C. will host a slate of draft activities over the course of the three-day event, including a variety of community events, the Draft Concert Series and the NFL Draft Experience, and Harris is enthusiastic about bringing another slice of the league’s year-round activities to his home town.

“The NFL Draft is one of the biggest moments in sports — and we’re incredibly proud to help bring it to Washington, D.C.,” he said. “It will bring hundreds of thousands of visitors, millions of viewers around the world, and generate jobs, tax revenue and meaningful economic impact across the city.

“The draft is a powerful reminder of how sports bring people together — and we’re honoured to play a role in that. Since we started this journey less than two years ago, we’ve seen an NFC Championship Game, an agreement to return to RFK, and now the NFL Draft in Washington. Thank you to president Trump for your leadership, to mayor Bowser for your partnership and to commissioner Roger Goodell for your support in bringing the draft back to the nation’s capital. We look forward to welcoming the football world to Washington in 2027. Today is a great day for the DMV, and I can’t wait to see what the future brings.”

Although last weekend’s event in Green Bay could not match the in-person audience numbers achieved by NFC North rival Detroit in 2024, the draft continues to grow as one of the most-watched events in sports. Detroit attracted a record-breaking 775,000 fans to its event, while Green Bay’s 600,000+ fans matched Nashville’s 2019 numbers as the second-highest attendance in draft history.

“This is an historic occasion for Washington, DC, and we are absolutely honoured to host the 2027 NFL Draft,” said Events DC president and CEO Angie M. Gates. “The NFL Draft will provide football fans with an unforgettable experience, while showcasing all that makes Washington, DC a world-class destination and the Sports Capital. We look forward to working with our partners and community to deliver a world-class event that reflects the dynamic spirit of our city.”