The 2026 NFL Combine is set to kick off this week and will continue through March 1. It brings together hundreds of draft-eligible players, marking a key step for all 32 NFL franchises as they begin shaping and narrowing down their draft boards ahead of April.
The event gives coaches and scouts from across the league a chance to evaluate talent and gather more insight on prospects who still carry question marks.
When and Where Is the NFL Combine?
Dates: Monday, Feb. 23 – Monday, March 2, 2026.
Location: Events will take place at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, while interviews and medical testing will be conducted at the Indiana Convention Center. The event has been hosted in Indianapolis annually since 1987 and is scheduled to remain there through 2028.
On-Field Workouts: These events are held from Thursday, Feb. 26 to Sunday, March 1.
How To Watch & Stream the NFL Combine?
TV channel: NFL Network
Stream: NFL+ | Fubo
Fans eager to watch the NFL’s future stars showcase their skills can tune in live on NFL Network or stream the coverage via NFL+. Fubo is another alternative that offers a free trial.
NFL Network’s lead draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah and host Rich Eisen will headline the broadcast of on-field workouts, joined by Charles Davis, Chris Rose, Ian Rapoport, and Stacey Dales. Jeremiah has already provided his verdict on the depth of this year’s draft class on Thursday.
“It’s another exciting class, with some of the strengths of this draft really being along the defensive line, particularly the edge rushers,” Jeremiah said. “Another great group of wide receivers, a linebacker group that runs deep and a corner group that runs really deep. So it’s a good draft.”
The combine event was originally created to provide teams with centralized medical evaluations at a shared expense, but it has evolved into a multi-faceted evaluation process. Besides physical testing, teams now use the event to conduct in-depth interviews, helping them assess prospects’ personalities, football intelligence, and overall fit.
On-Field Workout Schedule
The NFL extended invitations to 319 prospects for the 2026 NFL Combine, headlined by national title-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza. The group also features phenomenal defenders like Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles, running back Jeremiyah Love, and edge rushers David Bailey and Rueben Bain Jr.
Prospects will participate in team interviews, medical screenings, meetings with franchise representatives, and a series of on-field drills throughout the event. NFL teams will aim to clarify evaluations during formal interview sessions, while athletic testing and position-specific workouts provide additional insight into each player’s draft stock.
On-field workout schedule:
- Thursday, Feb. 26 – 3 p.m. ET: Defensive linemen, linebackers, placekickers
- Friday, Feb. 27 – 3 p.m. ET: Defensive backs, tight ends
- Saturday, Feb. 28 – 1 p.m. ET: Quarterbacks, wide receivers, running backs
- Sunday, March 1 – 1 p.m. ET: Offensive linemen
Several elite prospects have skipped most on-field drills in the last few years, choosing instead to display their abilities at private sessions or college pro days. However, the combine continues to serve as a key centralized setting where teams can meet prospects face-to-face for the first time.
Mendoza, ranked as the No. 2 quarterback in the PFSN College Football QB Impact Metric, decided against throwing during combine drills this year. He plans to complete his full passing session at Indiana’s Pro Day on April 1. Though the Indiana quarterback will not participate in the throwing portion, he remains viewed as the top quarterback prospect.
However, the workouts carry huge weight for mid-tier and lesser-known players looking to boost their draft stock.
