INDIANAPOLIS — An unclear future is always a common theme at the NFL Combine. More than 300 players are in Indianapolis, trying to impress 32 NFL teams and convince top execs to draft them.
At the same time, Indianapolis is trying to impress the NFL and prove why the NFL Combine should stay in the Circle City.
Indy is locked in for 2025 and 2026, but the NFL is considering a new home for the Combine in 2027.
”We’re being very strategic and very aggressive in making sure everyone, all audience members and everyone here visiting, know that we’re hungry to keep the event in 2027 and beyond,” said Chris Gahl, Executive Vice President of Visit Indy.
Indianapolis and the NFL Combine have been partners for 38 years, only missing one in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout that time, the combine has grown. This year, it’s expected to bring in personnel from all 32 teams, more than 1,000 media members and more than 30,000 fans.
The NFL coaches, general managers, scouts, players, media and more don’t have to go outside for a second if they don’t want to. Lucas Oil Stadium, several downtown hotels and the Indiana Convention Center are all connected through skywalks.
That city within a city is only growing, as well. The Signia by Hilton hotel is under construction right now on the Pan Am Plaza right across Capital Ave. from the Indiana Convention Center. The headquarter hotel will also include an expansion of the convention center.
”As the NFL looks to grow the event, that would be a logical place to put more personnel, more fans, more NFL brass, more execs, and grow this event closest to the field where all the activity happens,” Gahl said.
In recent years, the NFL Combine has also opened up to fans. Allowing every day people to enter Lucas Oil Stadium like top NFL scouts and watch their favorite college players at the biggest job interview in sports. Outside in the South lot of Lucas Oil Stadium, there is also a fan experience with the Lombardi Trophy, every Super Bowl ring ever, a 40-yard dash and more.
The best part is it’s all free. All NFL fans have to do is download the NFL One Pass app.
”We don’t believe anyone can do this better than Indianapolis,” Gahl said. “We were literally built to host major sporting events like the combine. From a facilities perspective, from a fan engagement perspective and just from a city pride perspective we can’t be topped.”
The NFL is looking at other options for 2027, though. NFL Senior Director of Events Nicki Ewell said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell doesn’t want to rest on their laurels.
”It’s really about driving that local economic impact, but really driving attendance locally,” Ewell said.
Finding a city that knows and can orchestrate the NFL Combine like Indianapolis could be a challenge, though.
”It is difficult,” Ewell said. “Some cities are different, whether the stadium is in another community or the stadium is not in the city. That goes into it. There are also a lot of other factors on the prospect side of things, that we have to weigh to make sure we’re still bringing in the brightest guys that we can as they go toward the path to the draft.”
Cities like Phoenix, Los Angeles and Dallas have been mentioned in the past as possible Combine destinations. Gahl knows there are interested parties right now in Indy with eyes on their operations.
”They’re walking our city, they are meeting with the NFL, they’re taking notes and they’re looking to make a strategy to take this event,” Gahl said.
What could help Indianapolis’s case to keep the Combine in the Circle City is a big turnout this week inside Lucas Oil Stadium.
”We would love to see a huge turnout over those four days, but really Saturday is that amazing day,” Ewell said. “There’s amazing energy in here, the stands, the lower bowl is full, we get up into the 200s too. Come show your love and show your love for the combine.”
If the NFL Combine were to return to Indianapolis in 2027, it would mark the 40th year of the prestigious event in the Circle City.
If you would like to go to the NFL Combine, all you need to do is download the NFL One Pass App and register there. Fans will have an inside look at the Combine on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Gall said Indy expects to have an answer on the 2027 combine within the next six to eight months.