The NFL Scouting Combine takes place from 25 February to 1 March 2027 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The annual event is the NFL’s premier pre-draft evaluation, where the top college football prospects showcase their physical abilities and football intelligence in front of every NFL team’s coaching and scouting staff.
What is the NFL Scouting Combine?
The NFL Scouting Combine is a week-long evaluation event where approximately 300 of the top college football prospects are invited to undergo a battery of physical tests, medical examinations, and interviews with NFL teams. Held annually since 1982, the Combine has become the centrepiece of the NFL’s draft preparation process and one of the most-watched off-season events in American sport.
Prospects participate in standardised physical tests including the 40-yard dash, bench press (225 pounds for maximum repetitions), vertical jump, broad jump, three-cone drill, and shuttle run. These measurables, combined with medical evaluations and team interviews, form a comprehensive profile that helps NFL franchises make informed decisions in the draft. A standout Combine performance can dramatically improve a player’s draft stock, while a poor showing can raise questions even about proven college performers.
When is the NFL Scouting Combine?
The 2027 NFL Scouting Combine runs from 25 February to 1 March 2027. On-field workouts are spread across several days, organised by position group:
- Days 1-2: Quarterbacks, wide receivers, and tight ends
- Days 3-4: Running backs, offensive linemen, and special teams
- Days 5-6: Defensive linemen, linebackers, and defensive backs
Medical examinations and team interviews run throughout the week.
Where is the NFL Scouting Combine?
The NFL Scouting Combine is held at Lucas Oil Stadium and the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Indiana. Indianapolis has hosted the Combine since 1987, and the city’s centralised infrastructure, with the stadium, convention centre, and major hotels all connected by skywalks, makes it ideally suited for the event’s logistical demands. In recent years, the on-field workouts have been opened to fans, transforming the Combine into a ticketed spectator event.
Key Contenders
The Combine invitation list features the top approximately 300 draft-eligible prospects as identified by the NFL’s advisory board. Each year produces breakout performers whose testing numbers capture national attention. Players who run exceptionally fast 40-yard dashes or post remarkable athletic testing numbers become instant talking points in draft analysis. Previous Combine standouts include Chris Johnson (who ran a record 4.24-second 40-yard dash in 2008), Byron Jones (who set the broad jump world record in 2015), and numerous future Hall of Famers who used the event as a launching pad for their professional careers.
How to Watch the NFL Scouting Combine
- United States: NFL Network provides comprehensive live coverage of all on-field workouts, with additional coverage on ESPN. Streaming is available on NFL+ and ESPN+.
- United Kingdom: Sky Sports NFL carries coverage of the Combine.
- Global: NFL Game Pass International streams Combine coverage in most international markets.
History and Records
The modern NFL Scouting Combine began in 1982 as a centralised replacement for individual team workouts. It moved to Indianapolis in 1987, where it has remained ever since. The event was originally a closed-door affair attended only by NFL personnel, but growing public interest led to the on-field workouts being televised from 2004 and eventually opened to ticketed spectators. The Combine’s significance has grown enormously in the era of sports media and analytics, with every drill result scrutinised and debated by fans and analysts alike.
Tickets and Attendance
Tickets for the NFL Scouting Combine’s on-field workout sessions are available through the NFL’s official website and Ticketmaster. Since the event opened to the public, fan attendance has grown significantly, with the Lucas Oil Stadium experience including interactive fan zones, autograph sessions, and behind-the-scenes access. Free events and activities are also available at the Indiana Convention Center throughout the week.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NFL Scouting Combine?
The Combine is an annual event where top college football prospects undergo physical tests, medical evaluations, and interviews with all 32 NFL teams ahead of the NFL Draft.
Where is the NFL Combine held?
The Combine has been held in Indianapolis, Indiana since 1987, using Lucas Oil Stadium for on-field workouts and the Indiana Convention Center for medical evaluations and interviews.
Can fans attend the NFL Combine?
Yes. The on-field workout sessions are open to ticketed spectators at Lucas Oil Stadium, and free fan events are held at the Indiana Convention Center throughout the week.
What tests do players complete at the Combine?
The standard tests include the 40-yard dash, bench press (225 pounds for reps), vertical jump, broad jump, three-cone drill, 20-yard shuttle, and position-specific drills.
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