The Democratic National Committee said Monday that Chicago, which played home to the party’s 2024 presidential nominating convention, is a finalist to host the Aug. 7-10, 2028, event along with Atlanta, Boston, Denver and Philadelphia.
Earlier this year, the Chicago Bid Committee submitted a response to the DNC’s request for proposals to host the 2028 event, and last month, the Chicago group met with a DNC team to answer questions. Chicago and the other finalist cities will now get a visit from the party’s national leadership this spring.
“With our extensive track-record of safely and successfully hosting large-scale events, our vibrant and diverse culture, and our status as a world-class destination — we’re confident that Chicago is best positioned to put on a convention that matches the enthusiasm, success, and energy of the 2024 DNC,” the city’s bid committee said in a statement.
“The team that brought Democrats the best political convention is ready to do it again,” the statement said.
DNC leadership and representatives of the party’s Technical Advisory Group will visit each of the finalists to assess the logistical and operational components of each city’s bid.
In addition, the party said the visits and issues in the site selection process include forging a strong partnership between the DNC and the host city, including its community, political and business leaders, a commitment to selecting a city that shares “Democratic values,” and the ability to utilize “new and innovative approaches” to meet the challenges and opportunities of hosting such an event.
“The DNC is proud to be moving forward with our 2028 Democratic National Convention plans, another critical step toward retaking the White House and finally putting an end to Republicans’ betrayal of working families,” DNC Chair Ken Martin said in a statement. “We look forward to celebrating our future nominees on the national stage and highlighting Democrats’ commitment to building a better, safer, and more affordable future for our country.”
With their announcement, Democrats ruled out the prospect of holding a midterm planning convention later this year, something Republican President Donald Trump has embraced in an effort to give the GOP attention as it seeks to maintain its majorities in the U.S. House and Senate.
In addition to submitting a bid for the 2028 Democratic convention, the city also submitted one for the 2032 event.
Chicago was chosen by the DNC over Atlanta and New York to host the 2024 event, providing a major post-pandemic boost to the city’s economy and prestige. With a Democratic surge in Georgia, Atlanta is once again viewed as a major contender to host the 2028 convention.
The city’s bid committee said returning a convention to Chicago would build on the 2024 event, which they called “the most successful political convention in history.”
The 2024 Democratic National Convention generated $371.4 million in economic impact — the most in convention history, the city’s bid committee said. The Chicago 2024 Host Committee said it invested more than $3 million back into the city, supporting more than 50 unique organizations and philanthropic causes aligned with its values and mission.
