At the NFL Spring League Meeting in Atlanta, Indianapolis was awarded the 2023 and 2024 NFL Combine, continuing the city's 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 other league events including the Super Bowl and NFL Draft. The official bid process for the Combine started in December 2021.
"After a review by 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. "Indianapolis’ 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 the Combine over the last 35 years, 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.
"Indianapolis 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 Indianapolis 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 Indianapolis," 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 Indianapolis's bid include:
Key dates for the 2023 and 2024 Combine include: