The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine runs Feb. 25 through March 3 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, with on-field workouts starting Feb. 27. That’s when specialists, defensive linemen, and linebackers take the turf, kicking off four days of testing that will define draft boards across the league.
This year’s combine carries added weight. The on-field workouts wrap on March 2, leaving teams just over seven weeks before the draft starts April 23 in Pittsburgh. That’s a tighter window than usual, compressing the evaluation period between live testing and final board decisions. Front offices that don’t have their processes dialed in will find themselves scrambling.
2026 NFL Combine Schedule by Position Group
The workouts follow the standard rotation. Thursday, Feb. 27, features specialists, defensive linemen, and linebackers at 3 p.m. ET. Friday, Feb. 28 brings defensive backs and tight ends. Saturday, March 1, showcases quarterbacks, wide receivers, and running backs. Sunday, March 2, closes with offensive linemen.
Those four days determine more than draft position. They set up contract negotiations, scheme-fit discussions, and depth-chart planning for all 32 teams. A safety who runs a 4.35 gets first-round consideration, and the same player at 4.55 slides to Day 2.
The combine has been in Indianapolis since 1987, and the NFL just extended that relationship through 2028.
The city’s downtown layout allows prospects to move efficiently between Lucas Oil Stadium for on-field work, the Indiana Convention Center for measurements and media sessions, and nearby hospitals for medical evaluations. That logistical advantage keeps winning bids despite occasional interest from other markets.
How to Watch and Attend the 2026 NFL Combine
People can watch the 2026 NFL Combine’s coverage on NFL Network, and it will also stream on NFL+. International viewers can watch the event on DAZN’s website and app.
Fans can attend the public portions free of charge between Feb. 27 and March 2 by registering through the NFL OnePass app. The “Inside Look” program lets spectators watch 40-yard dashes and position drills from seats in Lucas Oil Stadium.
Attendance at recent combines has drawn tens of thousands of fans, and the NFL continues expanding public access. The event has evolved beyond a closed-door scouting session into a destination experience that generates significant economic impact for Indianapolis.
The draft calendar creates natural pressure points. Teams host prospects for private visits through mid-April, giving them about six weeks post-combine to conduct private workouts and interviews. Factor in pro days scattered through March, and front offices are juggling combine data, campus visits, and medical reports simultaneously.
Smart organizations prioritize the NFL Combine. They know which prospects need confirmation and which need convincing. A linebacker who tested poorly can salvage his stock at his pro day. But combine week sets the narrative, and narratives stick.
