Buffalo Rumblings
If Green Bay can host a draft, there’s no doubt that Buffalo can too.
Could the City of Buffalo and the Buffalo Bills be in the running to host a future NFL Draft? That’s not just a pipe dream — it’s a real possibility the organization is actively pursuing. That is their plan, and they are setting their sights on 2027, 2028 or 2029.
With the team’s new stadium slated to open in August of 2026 and the current stadium scheduled for demolition in March 2027, the organization is already thinking ahead to what could be one of the biggest sports events the region has ever seen.
Bills’ chief operating officer Pete Guelli confirmed the team’s interest, sharing those intentions during an interview with WGR550’s Sal Capaccio at the league meetings held recently in West Palm Beach, FL. Guelli emphasized that the organization has been closely monitoring how smaller markets — like Green Bay — are planning and executing the massive event. “We’ve watched Green Bay very closely,” Guelli said. They’ll be on-site for the 2025 NFL Draft to see how Green Bay accomplishes hosting such a large event in a small-market setting.
And let’s be real — if Green Bay can do it, Buffalo absolutely can.
Brown County, WI (home to Green Bay) and neighboring areas like Appleton boast a combined population of around 500,000. Hotel availability is also limited, with roughly 4,300 rooms in the area. That’s not a knock on them, but it does highlight how much more feasible Buffalo could be.
Comparatively, the Buffalo-Niagara region has around a million-plus residents and is better equipped to accommodate visitors. Erie County alone features more than 10,000 hotel rooms, including nearly 2,000 in downtown Buffalo. Niagara Falls, a popular tourist destination just 30 minutes north from Buffalo, adds another 2,400 hotel rooms to the total.
If awarded the event, potential venues for draft-related activities could include the downtown Buffalo area utilizing the Buffalo Convention Center, KeyBank Center, and the waterfront. The NFL and the Bills organization could also opt to show off the new stadium and have the draft stage set across the street or even on the field inside the stadium.
The Bills, the city of Buffalo and the county have multiple venues that could host everything from fan experiences to media coverage and the main event itself. Sure, the stadium isn’t domed, so weather will be a factor — but contingency planning is part of every host city’s bid. And let’s be honest, we’re Buffalo. We know how to handle the weather.
While Buffalo may never realistically be in the conversation for hosting a Super Bowl — due to NFL requirements around infrastructure, hotel capacity, and direct flight availability — the NFL Draft presents a more attainable opportunity. Unlike the Super Bowl, the Draft draws a significant percentage of local and regional attendees, which works in Buffalo’s favor.
With a deep-rooted football culture, unmatched community pride, strong community support, expanding infrastructure, and a proven fan base, Buffalo...
