When Does The 2026 NFL Combine Start? Key Dates, Schedule, & How To Watch

The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine kicked off Monday, February 23, and runs through March 2 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis — home of the Colts. The event has been held in Indianapolis every year since 1987 and is contracted to remain there through at least 2028.

Not everything happens on the field. The first half of the week is dedicated to medical evaluations, team interviews, and media sessions at the Indiana Convention Center. On-field workouts don’t begin until Thursday, February 26, and run through Sunday, March 1.

Key Numbers for 2026

• 319 players invited — the full list headlined by Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza
• 13 players from Texas A&M — the most of any single school
• 115 players from SEC programs — the most of any conference
• 2026 NFL Draft dates: April 23–25 in Pittsburgh (Round 1: April 23 at 8 p.m. ET)

Full 2026 NFL Combine Schedule

Off-Field Events (Mon–Wed, Feb. 23–25)

Each positional group addresses the media one day before their on-field workouts — giving teams and analysts one last read on a player’s headspace before he steps onto the turf.

On-Field Workout Schedule (Thu–Sun, Feb. 26 – Mar. 1)

Note: All position groups complete the bench press the day after their primary workout session.

What Drills Are in the NFL Combine?

Every player runs through the same core battery of tests. Here’s what’s on the menu:

• 40-Yard Dash — The headline event. The single most cited number in draft conversations.
• Bench Press — 225 lbs, maximum reps. Tests raw strength and endurance.
• Vertical Jump — Measures leaping ability; matters most for receivers and defensive backs.
• Broad Jump — Horizontal explosiveness. Underrated predictor of athleticism.
• 3-Cone Drill — Change of direction and body control. Critical for DL and WRs.
• 20-Yard Shuttle — Lateral quickness and acceleration.
• 60-Yard Shuttle — Full-field endurance and sustained speed.

Not every drill carries the same weight at every position. 

The 40-yard dash matters most to wide receivers and cornerbacks, but comparatively little to a center. The 3-cone drill, on the other hand, can make or break a defensive lineman’s draft stock. 

Teams are measuring position-specific athleticism, not just raw numbers.

How To Watch the 2026 NFL Combine

TV Channel: NFL Network is the exclusive home of live combine coverage. The event will be anchored by Rich Eisen and lead draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah, alongside Charles Davis, Ian Rapoport, Chris Rose, and Stacey Dales.

Daily NFL Network Schedule:

• Good Morning Football: 8 a.m. ET (encores at 10 a.m. & noon)
  
• NFL Combine Today: 2 p.m. ET (pre-workout coverage & analysis)
  
• Live On-Field Drills: 1 p.m or 3 p.m. ET (see schedule above)
  
• Encores: 8 p.m., 11 p.m., 2 a.m., 5 a.m. ET

Streaming Options:

Without cable, Fubo’s free trial is the easiest way to stream. DirecTV Choice starts at $60/month and includes ESPN Unlimited.

Can You Attend in Person? Yes. Fans can buy tickets to watch on-field drills live at Lucas Oil Stadium and experience NFL Draft activations around the city of Indianapolis throughout the week.

Why the Combine Matters More Than People Admit

It’s fashionable to downplay the combine. Every spring, a draft expert will remind you that it’s “just a track meet in shorts” and that game tape is all that matters. They’re not wrong — but they’re not entirely right, either.

The combine doesn’t replace film. It is standardized testing that adds context. A receiver who ran a 4.40 at his pro day suddenly looks different running a 4.55 in front of 32 teams. A defensive end who measured out with a 34-inch arm span changes how teams think about his ceiling as a pass rusher. 

Careers have launched at the combine. Careers have stalled there too. This week, 319 players are getting their shot to move the needle.