Indianapolis will continue hosting the NFL Scouting Combine through at least 2028, former Colts punter and media sensation Pat McAfee announced Wednesday at the city’s annual State of Tourism. The event was held at Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Colts and where hundreds of college prospects annually gather for on-field testing as part of the league’s biggest pre-draft showcase.

“The NFL Combine has called this place home for 39 years. Add two more,” McAfee said, announcing a two-year extension between the NFL and Visit Indy, the city’s official tourism organization. “Through 2027 and 2028, the NFL and Visit Indy have officially inked a deal to keep the event here in Indianapolis, as it should be.”

The combine has been held in Indianapolis since 1987. The city has gained a strong reputation for its downtown accessibility and efficiency, highlighted by the Indiana Convention Center, which is next door to Lucas Oil Stadium and serves as a hub for the combine’s non-field events like news conferences and meetings.

Since Indianapolis’ contract to host the combine was set to expire in 2026, there was speculation that the league might move the event. Several major cities have tried to lure the showcase through the years, but overwhelming support from college prospects, their agents and NFL coaches and executives helped Indianapolis prevail in its effort to maintain its grip.

.@PatMcAfeeShow said it best: we’re thrilled to announce that the @NFL Combine will return to Indianapolis in 2027 and 2028! Special thanks to the NFL, @insportscorp, the @Colts, @LucasOilStadium, and the @icclos for making this event possible.

🔗 https://t.co/K8lvFhAgLV pic.twitter.com/l1J79UnXbm

— Visit Indy (@VisitIndy) January 21, 2026

“Indianapolis and the NFL Combine have built a proud legacy together, and we’re pleased to extend our partnership with Visit Indy, the Colts and the local community,” NFL executive vice president of club business, international and league events Peter O’Reilly said in a news release. “For over three decades, Indy has delivered an exceptional environment for our football evaluation operations, and we’re excited to continue improving the prospect and club experience while enhancing the fan moments that create opportunities for tens of thousands to engage with the league’s future stars.”

The combine generated a record $9.26 million in economic impact for Indianapolis last year, according to the release. It also attracted more than 30,000 visitors eager to get a glimpse of the NFL’s next wave of potential stars. Visit Indy executive vice president and chief business officer Chris Gahl vowed that the city’s leaders would not get complacent even after securing another two years of the combine.

“We know the expanding Indiana Convention Center and new hotel inventory downtown helped keep this marquee event in Indy,” Gahl said on the Colts’ website. “The value of having the NFL Scouting Combine visit our city goes well beyond the economic impact and international media exposure, as the league also leaves a positive footprint in our community with its off-field programming.”

This year’s combine will be held from Feb. 23 through March 2. Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, fresh off winning the Heisman Trophy and leading the Hoosiers to their first national championship in football, will be one of the biggest draws. The 22-year-old, who played his college home games in Bloomington, Ind., only an hour south of Indianapolis, is widely expected to be the No. 1 pick by the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2026 NFL Draft.