Confirmed: Minnesota Lands Future NFL Draft

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Credit: USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Vikings wrapped up their 2026 NFL Draft about a month ago, leaving Pittsburgh with nine new rookies including first round defensive tackle Caleb Banks and four other top 100 picks they hope will compete for contributing roles next season.

But will the MN Vikings ever host their own NFL Draft. They’ve certainly been trying, but to this point, were not successful in convincing Roger Goodell.

However, rumors dropped earlier this year that Minnesota was back in the running for NFL Draft 2028. And those rumors turned to hopeful expectations recently, when the latest reporting revealed U.S. Bank Stadium as the NFL’s preferred destination for the 2028 draft.

Confirmed: MN Vikings will host 2028 NFL Draft

And on Monday morning, it’s being confirmed. The Minnesota Vikings will host the 2028 NFL Draft at U.S. Bank Stadium. According to Albert Breer (Sports Illustrated), the news will become official later this week, at the NFL’s Spring Meetings (May 19-20 in Orlando, Florida).

The expectation is that the Twin Cities will be awarded the 2028 draft at the meetings, so a big contingent, including ownership, will be in Orlando for that.

Albert Breer – Sports Illustrated

Right now the Minnesota Vikings are deep in the midst of a search for their next general manager, despite losing one candidate over the weekend. This news won’t slow down that process, as they continue to interview candidates.

In fact, the Vikings’ GM search party is expected to meet with at least some of their candidates in-person for the first time, during the same upcoming Spring Meetings where their 2028 draft hosting will be made official.

Minneapolis becomes the 12th city to host NFL Draft

For 50 years, the NFL Draft was held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. About a decade ago, it moved to Chicago, Illinois for a couple of years, before it became a yearly traveling circus of offseason excitement.

Since then, the draft has been hosted by ten different cities. Next up is Washington, D.C. (2027). And soon to be officially on deck: Minneapolis.

Expect most of the draft festivities to happen in “The Commons” area outside of US. Bank Stadium, home of the Minnesota Vikings. That would make the Legacy Gate, and the iconic XXXXL doors the main backdrop for the draft stage.

The Commons has hosted pregame concerts and other outdoor events, so it just makes the most sense. Now… we just have to hope that late-April weather two years from now will make for a pleasant (not horrifying) weekend.

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