NFL: Trump announces Washington as host city for draft

Washington. The NFL will return to the US capital in 2027 with one of its most important events. Washington will host the National Football League Draft for the first time in 86 years, as US President Donald Trump announced at a White House event on Monday.

At the now extremely well-attended event, which spans several days, teams select young athletes for their professional rosters. The competition for the best talent captivates fans: This year, according to NFL figures, 600,000 people traveled to the state of Wisconsin to watch the draft live in Green Bay. Next year, Pittsburgh will host the event.

Trump announced that the draft would take place on the National Mall and that he expected more than a million visitors. "It's a good idea. It's going to be beautiful. It's going to be something no one else can ever replicate," said the US President, "very exciting!" The host of the 2027 draft will be the Washington Commanders, who recently took a big step closer to their new stadium project.

The team from the capital city is to get a new 65,000-seat home on the eastern edge of Washington for $3.7 billion (€3.24 billion) to replace the dilapidated RFK Stadium. The new construction will also spruce up the neighborhood with new shopping opportunities, apartments, and parks. The entire project still requires approval by the City Council.

RND/dpa