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NFL Scouting Combine to remain in Indy through 2026

The Circle City has hosted the event since 1987.

INDIANAPOLIS — The NFL Scouting Combine will remain in Indianapolis through at least 2026, the league announced Thursday.

The Circle City has hosted the event since 1987, giving top college football players a chance before scouts ahead of the NFL draft.

In 2022, the league and city agreed to a two-year extension set to run through 2025. Now, another year has been added on at Lucas Oil Stadium.

“Indianapolis and the NFL Combine have a proud history together, so we’re thrilled to continue our longstanding partnership with Visit Indy, the Indianapolis Colts, and the local community for this 2026 event,” said Peter O’Reilly, executive vice president, club business, international, and league events at the NFL. “Our partners in Indy have successfully hosted the football evaluation process for decades, and recently, we’ve collectively worked to grow and evolve the in-person fan experience, bringing tens of thousands of fans closer to the league’s future stars."

Fans also get a front-row seat.

"Last year, we had a record-breaking fan experience with over 27,000 fans who attended the family-friendly free combine experience," said Clare Clark, with Visit Indy.

The event also brings a huge economic impact for the city.

Visit Indy said the 2024 NFL Combine generated a record-setting $6.27 million in economic impact for the area, while attracting more than 27,000 fans. 

"We had a record-breaking year in 2024, equating to $9.2 million in local economic impact, and that's just spanning over the seven-day event here in Indianapolis," Clark said.

Credit: AP/Michael Conroy
California defensive back Daniel Scott runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023.

Lucas Oil Stadium director Eric Neuburger told 13News the stadium makes it easily walkable to all the things fans, players and team staff need.

"Lucas Oil Stadium is a natural fit for the Combine, and we are so pleased to have the opportunity to work with the NFL for another year," Neuburger said.

"The NFL has seen that Indianapolis time and time again produces this event at a high-quality standard," Clark said.

“Indianapolis is uniquely designed and built to host an event as complex as the NFL Combine,” Pete Ward, chief operating officer with the Indianapolis Colts, said in a statement. “Efficiently moving prospects, team owners, coaching staff, medical personnel, and national media is seamlessly done in Indy, and the Colts are proud to be part of the team keeping the event in our city.” 

The 2025 NFL Combine will take place from Thursday, Feb. 27 to Sunday, March 2.

“We appreciate the NFL’s continued commitment and interest in Indy and the Colts ongoing partnership,” said Chris Gahl, executive vice president & chief marketing officer for Visit Indy.  “We know Indy is always on audition, striving to keep the event in our city. We are constantly looking to improve and grow the Combine to enhance the fan-facing experience for visitors and fans.”  

Credit: WTHR

As part of the free annual event, fans are able to "witness the future talent of the NFL up close before prospects find their new team," Visit Indy said.

In 2025, the league will again host the free NFL Combine Experience, an interactive fan fest, in the south lot of Lucas Oil Stadium. There, fans will be able to take photos with the Colts' Super Bowl XLI Vince Lombardi Trophy, view all 58 Super Bowl rings, participate in games and purchase "exclusive merchandise."

The league said fans can "register their interest" at NFL.com/combine before event registration opens in March.

Full statement from Eric Neuburger, director of Lucas Oil Stadium

"The NFL has done a great job of growing the Combine so that it has become an event that not only serves football teams and their scouts, it also offers football fans a preview of the players they will see in the future, and they get an understanding of the skill sets coaches look at when recruiting new players.

What started out as an event that largely took place on the field with players, general managers, coaches and scouts attending has expanded to now include fan activations all around our stadium's concourses and in the parking lot at the Combine Experience.  Fans can participate in football drills, see the Lombardi Trophy and other football memorabilia, and they can sit in the stands and watch NFL prospects show off their skills.

We work closely with the NFL to customize every space inside Lucas Oil Stadium to meet Combine needs. From exhibit halls and meeting rooms to our luxury suites and concourses, we make sure that teams, players, and NFL personnel have all the resources they need available to them.

Because our stadium is in the heart of downtown and easily walkable to all the facilities the players and team staff need, and to the hotels, restaurants and entertainment that the fans want, Lucas Oil Stadium is a natural fit for the Combine and we are so pleased to have the opportunity to work with the NFL for another year.

We look forwarding to working closely with the NFL and our partners at Visit Indy to ensure that our building and downtown are ready to give football fans the football preview and fun they are looking for."

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