The NFL combine will remain in Indianapolis beyond 2026.

The NFL combine will remain in Indianapolis beyond 2026.

Announced by Pat McAfee, the NFL and the city of Indianapolis have officially signed an extension that will keep the combine in Indianapolis for 2027 and 2028.

McAfee mentioned that 30,000 visitors came through Indianapolis in 2025, and there was a $9 million financial impact on the city.

Held at Lucas Oil Stadium and the surrounding area, the NFL Combine is a key week during the offseason. It’s where draft prospects, agents, and NFL personnel all gather together in Indianapolis.

Of course, the main event is the on-field drills that the top prospects go through as part of the pre-draft process. But in addition to that, teams also get the opportunity to have one-on-one conversations with these prospects as well.

The conversations that take place that week in late February also go beyond just the draft. With free agency on the horizon, it’s an opportunity for NFL personnel and agents to have preliminary discussions about pending free agents or players who may be in line for contract extensions.

The NFL Scouting Combine will remain in Indianapolis in 2027 and 2028, the league announced Wednesday.

The NFL’s current agreement with Indianapolis was set to expire after the 2026 NFL Combine, which is scheduled from Feb. 23-March 2 at the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium.

The combine has made the city its home since 1987.

“As Indianapolis has grown, so has the NFL Scouting Combine,” Colts chief operating officer Pete Ward said in a statement. “For more than three decades, Indy has proven to be the best host city, efficiently moving prospects, team owners, coaching staff, medical personnel, and national media seamlessly through the city. The Colts and the Irsay family are grateful to the NFL for their continued confidence in our city’s ability.”

The NFL has discussed moving around the NFL’s biggest pre-draft event, as it does with the draft and the Super Bowl, and has even solicited bids from other cities. Indianapolis’ unique setup, though, allows for maximum efficiency and accessibility.

“Indianapolis and the NFL Combine have built a proud legacy together, and we’re pleased to extend our partnership with Visit Indy, the Colts and the local community,” said Peter O’Reilly, the NFL’s executive vice president, club business, international and league events. “For over three decades, Indy has delivered an exceptional environment for our football evaluation operations, and we’re excited to continue improving the prospect and club experience while enhancing the fan moments that create opportunities for tens of thousands to engage with the league’s future stars.”

The Indianapolis City-County Council is the legislative body for both the city of Indianapolis and Marion County, responsible for reviewing and approving ordinances, budget items, appointments and policies that shape city services and daily life for residents. Council meetings and committee work are open to the public, and agendas are posted in advance on the city’s website. 

Meetings on the docket 

• Information Technology Board — Tuesday, Jan. 27 at 9:30 a.m. 
A meeting of the Information Technology Board is set for Tuesday, Jan. 27 at 9:30 a.m. in the City-County Building. This board reviews and approves major IT contracts, evaluates city technology needs, and helps oversee information technology standards for city government.  

There are no other City-County Council committee meetings publicly listed on the official calendar at this time. 

• Full Council Meeting coming soon — The next regular full council meeting is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 2 at 7 p.m. in the City-County Building’s Public Assembly Room. The council typically meets monthly on Mondays. Agendas for full council meetings are posted online the Friday before the meeting.  

• Upcoming committees in early February — Early February committee meetings that follow include the Education Committee on Tuesday, Feb. 3 at 5:30 p.m. and Parks and Recreation Committee on Thursday, Feb. 5 at 5:30 p.m. . Meetings open to the public and typically held in the City-County Building. 

Public engagement 

The Information Technology Board meeting on Jan. 27 offers a chance for residents to observe discussions about the city’s tech systems and digital services.  

While specific agenda items for the Feb. 2 full council meeting are not yet publicly posted, residents can check the city’s indy.gov council meeting page on the Friday before the meeting for official proposals and bill summaries. 

Meetings are streamed live online and on local government access channels; council and board agendas are posted before sessions so the public can prepare. 

Meeting dates, times and agendas are accurate at the time of publication. City-County Council schedules and committee calendars are subject to change. Residents are encouraged to visit indy.gov for the most up-to-date information, official agendas and livestream links. 

Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth. 

Hanna Rauworth is the Health & Environmental Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, where she covers topics at the intersection of public health, environmental issues, and community impact. With a commitment to storytelling that informs and empowers, she strives to highlight the challenges and solutions shaping the well-being of Indianapolis residents.