by The 40-yard dash is calling, and the future of the NFL is descending upon Indianapolis. For football junkies, the draft season truly begins now, as front offices prepare to separate the elite athletes from the workout warriors. If you’re wondering about the 2026 NFL Combine start date, mark your calendars: while orientation and interviews began early this week (Monday, February 23), the high-octane, televised on-field drills officially kick off on Thursday, February 26, 2026.
Where and When: The Master Plan
Indianapolis remains the heart of the scouting world, with Lucas Oil Stadium once again playing host to 319 of the nation’s top prospects. The 2026 NFL Combine start date for public viewing is Thursday, Feb. 26, but the event technically spans through Monday, March 2. During this window, players are poked, prodded, and interviewed behind closed doors before they ever hit the turf to showcase their vertical jumps and shuttle runs for a global audience.
The On-Field Schedule: Position by Position
You don’t want to miss your favorite team’s potential first-round pick in action. Following the 2026 NFL Combine start date, the league has organized the on-field drills into a four-day television spectacle. The schedule is designed to keep viewers locked in, beginning with the heavy hitters and ending with the anchors of the offensive line.
| Date | Time (ET) | Position Groups |
| Thursday, Feb. 26 | 3:00 PM | Defensive Linemen, Linebackers, Specialists |
| Friday, Feb. 27 | 3:00 PM | Defensive Backs, Tight Ends |
| Saturday, Feb. 28 | 1:00 PM | Quarterbacks, Wide Receivers, Running Backs |
| Sunday, March 1 | 1:00 PM | Offensive Linemen |
How to Watch: TV and Streaming Guide
Thanks to modern technology, you don’t have to be in the Circle City to catch the action. Since the 2026 NFL Combine start date arrives, NFL Network will provide exclusive live coverage of all on-field workouts. For those on the go, you can stream the event via NFL+, the NFL App, or through various streaming services like Fubo or YouTube TV that carry NFL Network. Expect fan-favorites like Rich Eisen and Daniel Jeremiah to provide the play-by-play and deep-dive analysis.
The “Underwear Olympics” Drama
While the physical drills are the main attraction, the real drama often happens at the podium. Starting just after the 2026 NFL Combine start date, general managers and head coaches take to the media circuit to discuss roster holes and draft strategies. This year, the spotlight is on schools like Texas A&M and Alabama, which lead the pack with 13 and 12 invitees respectively. Keep a close eye on the “podium talk,” as it often reveals which way a team is leaning for the draft in Pittsburgh this April.
Why This Year is Different
Scouting is evolving, and the 2026 class is the first to be fully vetted through advanced AI-driven game metrics alongside traditional Combine numbers. Even so, the 2026 NFL Combine start date remains the most critical point on the scouting calendar because it’s the only time all 32 teams get a standardized look at the prospects. Whether it’s a quarterback proving his arm strength or a sleeper corner showing off sub-4.4 speed, this week creates the legends—and the busts—of tomorrow.
“The Combine is where the tape meets the truth. You can hide on film, but you can’t hide from the stopwatch in Indy.” — NFL Lead Scout.
Preparing for Draft Day
As we move past the 2026 NFL Combine start date and toward the conclusion of the event on March 2, the “Big Boards” will undergo massive shifts. Players who dominate the 3-cone drill or the bench press will see their stock soar, potentially moving from third-round flyers to first-round locks. Indianapolis is the stage, and for these 319 athletes, the next few days will define their professional lives and bank accounts for years to come.
