The NFL Scouting Combine will remain in Indianapolis through at least 2026, continuing a legacy that has lasted for decades.
The league announced Thursday that the event, which serves as the marquee pre-draft showcase for college prospects, will take place in the Circle City for another two years. This decision solidifies Indianapolis as the long-term home of the Combine, reinforcing its status as the central hub for NFL talent evaluation.
Indianapolis has hosted the NFL Scouting Combine every year since 1987, making it the heart of the draft process for nearly four decades. While there were concerns over whether the event would remain in Indy after the NFL began accepting bids from other cities in 2021, the league’s return to the city each year since suggests a deep-rooted partnership between the NFL and Indianapolis that is not easily broken. The 2026 Combine will mark another chapter in that enduring history, as the NFL continues to work with local partners to refine and enhance the experience for teams, prospects, and fans alike.
Peter O’Reilly, the NFL’s executive vice president of club business, international, and league events, emphasized the strong bond between Indianapolis and the Scouting Combine, citing the city’s long history of successfully hosting the event. “Indianapolis and the NFL Combine have a proud history together,” O’Reilly said in a statement. “We’re thrilled to continue our longstanding partnership with Visit Indy, the Indianapolis Colts, and the local community for this 2026 event.”
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The combination of Indianapolis’ infrastructure, centralized location, and experience in hosting large-scale events has been a major factor in the NFL’s continued decision to keep the Combine there. The city’s efficient logistics—ranging from team movements to media access—have made it a well-suited destination for the event. “Indianapolis is uniquely designed and built to host an event as complex as the NFL Combine,” said Colts chief operating officer Pete Ward. He highlighted how the city’s design and its proximity to key facilities streamline the logistics of moving prospects, coaches, medical staff, and media from location to location.
For NFL teams, the Combine is an invaluable opportunity to evaluate prospective draft picks through workouts, interviews, and medical evaluations. Indianapolis’ compact layout and ease of access from Lucas Oil Stadium to surrounding venues make it the ideal location for such an intensive, multi-faceted event. The 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, which will take place from February 27 to March 2, will be the 38th consecutive year the event is held in the city. More than 300 prospects will gather in Indianapolis, offering a glimpse into the next wave of NFL talent.
The NFL Combine is also an increasingly fan-centric event, and Indianapolis has embraced that shift. The city has worked hard to evolve the experience, ensuring that fans have more opportunities to interact with the league’s future stars. Chris Gahl, the executive vice president and chief marketing officer for Visit Indy, acknowledged the importance of keeping the event in the city and emphasized the ongoing efforts to improve the fan-facing experience. “We know Indy is always on audition, striving to keep the event in our city,” Gahl said. “We are constantly looking to improve and grow the Combine to enhance the fan-facing experience for visitors and fans.”
With the Combine attracting tens of thousands of fans each year, Indianapolis has made significant strides in enhancing the overall event experience. This includes better fan access to on-field drills, opportunities to meet players, and expanded live events around the stadium. The ongoing efforts to improve these elements show that Indianapolis is committed to growing the event, ensuring that it remains a key attraction for fans and a vital part of the NFL’s draft process.
As the NFL continues to consider potential future hosts for the Combine, the city of Indianapolis has solidified its position as the premier location for this crucial NFL event. While the league has explored other cities for the Combine in recent years, the advantages of staying in Indianapolis are clear—efficiency, history, and a fan-friendly environment that enhances both the scouting experience and public engagement.
Indianapolis’ long-standing success in hosting the NFL Scouting Combine speaks to the city’s ability to handle high-stakes events. For the NFL, the city has proven it can deliver, year after year, a seamless experience for teams, prospects, and fans. With two more years locked in, the NFL and Indianapolis will continue to build on their shared history, evolving the Combine for future generations while ensuring it remains a central part of the NFL draft process.
For prospects, the 2025 and 2026 Combines will be pivotal moments in their journey to the NFL, as they perform in front of coaches, scouts, and general managers, all while navigating the pressures of the biggest job interview of their lives. And for the fans, Indianapolis will remain the go-to destination to witness the future of the NFL unfold before their eyes.
As the NFL Draft grows in prominence, so too does the significance of the Scouting Combine. Indianapolis has long been the city where future stars first gain national attention, and with the event secured for another two years, the city’s role in shaping the league’s future will continue to thrive. The partnership between the NFL, the Colts, and the city of Indianapolis has proven to be a winning combination, and it looks like this legacy will continue well into the 2020s.