The Combine is Staying in Indy

The NFL has set the draft to rotate cities, the Super Bowl has always rotated but the Thanksgiving Day games have remained in Dallas and Detroit. It also looks like Indy is holding on to the NFL Combine, for at least the next two years. Here is the press release from the NFL announcing the decision.

Indy Retains Marquee Event After 35 Years of Hosting

INDIANAPOLIS (May 24, 2022) – At the NFL Spring League Meeting today in Atlanta, Indianapolis was awarded the 2023 and 2024 NFL Combine, continuing the city’s proven track record of hosting and growing the marquee event since 1987.

This was the first time the NFL put the Combine out for bid, a process similar to the one for other League events including Super Bowl and NFL Draft.  The official bid process for Combine started in December 2021, with proposals due in April 2022.

“After close review by our internal team, the Fan Engagement & Major Events Advisory Committee, and the National Invitational Camp staff, Indianapolis remains the best city to host and grow the NFL Combine in 2023 and 2024,” said Peter O’Reilly, NFL Executive Vice President of Club Business & League Events. “Indy’s vision brings together its long legacy of successfully hosting the Combine and executing the evaluation process, with an exciting focus on innovating and further growing the event from a fan and media perspective.”

After hosting for the last 35 years (1987-2022), Visit Indy, the Indiana Convention Center & Lucas Oil Stadium, the City of Indianapolis, IU Health and the Indiana Sports Corp collectively submitted the successful proposal alongside the Indianapolis Colts.

“Indy is a city built to host major sporting events, and I’m proud the Combine will continue to stay in our city,” said Jim Irsay, owner of the Indianapolis Colts.

Taking place in Indy for over three decades, the event has grown immensely – the 2022 NFL Combine generated an estimated $9.6 million in economic impact for the city and was attended by the most fans ever in the history of the event.

“We know many cities want to host the NFL Combine, and we’re incredibly appreciative the NFL continues to put its faith in Indy,” said Leonard Hoops, president & CEO of Visit Indy. “We are proud so many media, agents, scouts, coaches, and athletes organically called to keep the event here. And after more than three decades of hosting the Combine, our excitement has only grown when it comes to continuing our work with the NFL and the National Invitational Camp to make the event better every year for all those stakeholders as well as the growing number of fans who want to experience it in person.”

A couple of highlights of Indy’s bid include:

• A new Combine fan experience outside Lucas Oil Stadium for fans to enjoy prior to stepping inside Lucas Oil Stadium to watch the on-field workouts.
• A new legacy program focused on mental health, led by the Irsay Family and their “Kicking the Stigma” program, benefiting Indy residents.

The 2023 NFL Combine will take place Tuesday, February 28 – Monday, March 6.
The 2024 NFL Combine will take place Tuesday, February 27 – Monday, March 4.