The 2026 NFL Draft is in the books. Now, it’s time to focus on the next few drafts, which could see the City of Cincinnati getting in the mix soon.
According to a report from Ben Fischer of Sports Business Journal, the Bengals could be playing host to the draft in 2029. Nothing is set in stone yet, but Cincinnati does have the “inside track” on hosting in 2029.
“Also, sources said, it’s possible the NFL looks to award two drafts at the same time, or in relatively short order,” Fischer wrote. “If that happens, some sources said Cincinnati has the inside track for 2029, but there is less clarity around whether the NFL is prepared to do that now. Commissioner Roger Goodell told Pat McAfee last week ‘we’re going to probably have to start allocating the drafts a little further in advance’ due to the event’s size. Nothing is final, sources cautioned, and the Minnesota selection could still change in the weeks before a vote.”
Fischer also noted that Washington D.C., in 2027, is the only city that has officially been awarded an NFL Draft. However, Minneapolis is the clear favorite for 2028, and it’s Cincinnati with the rising opportunity to host the year after.
Also, several cities recently participated in a meeting with Goodell about the future of the NFL Draft. That included Baltimore, Buffalo, Charlotte, Houston, Jacksonville, Indianapolis, and Seattle. So, Cincinnati does have some competition.
What is the Economic Impact of the NFL Draft?
There is a good reason why a city like Cincinnati would like to host the NFL Draft. It’s a major tourist attraction that brings tens of thousands of people to the city and can boost the economy for one weekend during the Spring.
Take the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, for example. Setting an on-site attendance record with a reported 320,000 fans attending the opening round alone, the city earned a massive boom. 805,000 reportedly attended the event on the whole. Keep in mind, the city of Pittsburgh has a population of just over 307,000 people.
According to The Associated Press, Detroit in 2024 earned an estimated $214 million in economic impact, including $161 million in visitor spending. That was with 775,000 in attendance.
Make no mistake, the NFL isn’t losing popularity. Fans clearly love attending the NFL Draft too. So, it’s easy to see why Cincinnati would want to play host.
The Cincinnati Bengals Looked to Address Their Needs in the 2026 NFL Draft
Coming into the 2026 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals knew they would need to address a few different needs, particularly on defense. However, they’d be doing that without their first-round pick, which they had used in a trade for Dexter Lawrence.
So, the Bengals went to work on Day 2 of the NFL Draft. They’d take Cashius Howell in the second round and Tacario Davis in the third round. In one day, they added what they hope to be a versatile edge rusher in Howell. Then, Davis figures to be an up-and-coming defensive back who can hopefully play the nickel.
Later, on Day 3, the Bengals continued to add, but this time mostly on the offensive side. That included adding multiple linemen and pass-catching options for quarterback Joe Burrow.
The AFC North figures to be wide open in 2026. So, if Cincinnati nailed this draft, they should be back in a position to get to the playoffs.
Cincinnati Expected to Have Inside Track to Host Future NFL Draft