Baltimore ‘unlikely’ to host 2026 NFL Draft; don’t rule out future drafts, though

In an interview with WMAR2, NFL Executive VP of club business, international & league events said Baltimore is ‘unlikely’ to host the 2026 NFL Draft

After 50 years of New York City hosting the NFL Draft, the NFL broadened the location to various NFL cities in 2015. In that time, the draft has been moved around from Chicago, Philadelphia and Nashville to Detroit hosting the event next week. The Ravens, namely Team President Sashi Brown, have recently shared their desire to host the prestigious event; sadly, Ravens fans will have to wait to rock the house.

In a virtual interview with WMAR-2’s Shawn Stepner, NFL Executive VP of club business, international & league events Peter O’Reilly said it’s “unlikely” the Ravens will host the 2026 NFL Draft.

“We have had some conversations with the Ravens over recent years about future drafts. I think that is something that could be interesting. 2026 is unlikely for Baltimore based on the process and kind of how far some other cities are along in that process in terms of having visited past drafts and winnowing down those cities,” O’Reilly said.

Don’t count out the Ravens hosting it down the line, though. During the League Owners Meetings, Brown said the team is in talks to host the draft in later years.

“We’ve begun talks with the NFL. The draft has become such a major tentpole event for the league. A lot of cities are interested in it,” Brown said. “We think Baltimore’s a great venue for it. There was talk to the league. We’re also talking to the folks that are developing the Inner Harbor around some of the things we might be able to do between the stadium and there. So, TBD and sort of we have to convince the NFL it’s the right venue for them. But we’ll put that pressure on ourselves to try to bring one to Baltimore in the relatively near future. They are already three, four years out. So we’re working on that, and certainly it is within our scope.”