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\u2019s 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\u2019s biggest pre-draft showcase.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe NFL Combine has called this place home for 39 years. Add two more,\u201d McAfee said, announcing a two-year extension between the NFL and Visit Indy, the city\u2019s official tourism organization. \u201cThrough 2027 and 2028, the NFL and Visit Indy have officially inked a deal to keep the event here in Indianapolis, as it should be.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\u2019s non-field events like news conferences and meetings.<\/p>\n
Since Indianapolis\u2019 contract to host the combine was set to expire in 2026, there was speculation\u00a0that 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.<\/p>\n
.@PatMcAfeeShow<\/a> said it best: we\u2019re thrilled to announce that the @NFL<\/a> Combine will return to Indianapolis in 2027 and 2028! Special thanks to the NFL, @insportscorp, the @Colts<\/a>, @LucasOilStadium<\/a>, and the @icclos<\/a> for making this event possible.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udd17 https:\/\/t.co\/K8lvFhAgLV<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/l1J79UnXbm<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Visit Indy (@VisitIndy) January 21, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cIndianapolis and the NFL Combine have built a proud legacy together, and we\u2019re pleased to extend our partnership with Visit Indy, the Colts and the local community,\u201d NFL executive vice president of club business, international and league events Peter O\u2019Reilly said in a news release. \u201cFor over three decades, Indy has delivered an exceptional environment for our football evaluation operations, and we\u2019re 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\u2019s future stars.\u201d<\/p>\n 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\u2019s next wave of potential stars. Visit Indy executive vice president and chief business officer Chris Gahl vowed that the city\u2019s leaders would not get complacent even after securing another two years of the combine.<\/p>\n \u201cWe know the expanding Indiana Convention Center and new hotel inventory downtown helped keep this marquee event in Indy,\u201d Gahl said<\/a>\u00a0on the Colts\u2019 website. \u201cThe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n This year\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n