As some Panthers fans gather in Green Bay, Wisconsin, what would it take to bring the NFL draft to Charlotte?
CHARLOTTE, N.C. β The NFL Draft is underway, drawing tens of thousands of fans to Green Bay, Wisconsin and the iconic Lambeau Field.Β
Recent years have seen the NFL take the draft to places like Kansas City, Nashville and now Green Bay. Many people are wondering what it would take for Charlotte to host the NFL Draft.Β
NFL officials visited the Queen City in 2023 and considered Charlotte as a potential host, but the 2026 draft will be held in Pittsburgh instead.Β
Here’s how the NFL chooses cities to host the draft.Β
OUR SOURCES
- The National Football League
- The Charlotte Sports Foundation
WHAT WE FOUND
In order to host the NFL draft, cities submit proposals that are reviewed and voted on by the league’s 32 team owners.
When picking a host city, the NFL considers venue size, infrastructure, fan engagement and community support. On Friday, Miller Yoho with the Charlotte Sports Foundation said the organization is interested in hosting the draft, but Charlotte hasn’t submitted a bid for the event.Β
Back in 2023, a Mecklenburg County spokesperson told WCNC Charlotte that the county participated in discussions surrounding the possibility of hosting the NFL Draft and what role the county might play.Β
The first NFL Draft was held in 1936 at the Ritz-Carlton in Philadelphia. Since then, the event has grown into a multi-day spectacle that draws fans from around the world. After being held in New York from 1965 until 2014, the NFL decided to the the show on the road. The last decade has seen the draft take place in Chicago, Nashville, Philadelphia, Dallas, Cleveland and Las Vegas.Β
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