DNC Decision: Chicago Misses Out on 2028 Convention

The Democratic National Convention will not be returning to Chicago in 2028. This decision ends hopes for a repeat event at the United Center, the first since the era of the Michael Jordan-led Bulls. The Democratic National Committee announced early Thursday that it had narrowed its list of potential host cities for the party’s presidential nominating convention from August 7-10, 2028. Among the finalists are Boston, Denver, and Philadelphia, while Chicago and Atlanta, hosts for the 2024 convention, were eliminated.

Just five days prior, Illinois was excluded from the list of states holding the earliest Democratic presidential primaries in 2028. The Illinois Democratic Party, with Governor JB Pritzker as its de facto head and largest funder, had advocated for an early primary. Pritzker and his allies pointed to state demographics that closely mirror those of the nation as a whole.

Hosting the convention and receiving an early primary could have significantly assisted Pritzker, who is running for a rare third term as governor in the upcoming November election. It might have also supported a bid for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination. Pritzker, along with his wife, MK, contributed $5.6 million from a trust fund to support the 2024 convention. This accounted for nearly 6% of the $97 million raised by the convention’s local host committee.

He is no stranger to supporting the party financially. In 2016, Pritzker donated $1.25 million to the host committee for the DNC in Philadelphia, where he was the largest individual donor according to federal campaign finance disclosures.

Pritzker’s campaign did not provide an immediate comment on Chicago being excluded from consideration for the next convention.

A tour group, including Democratic National Convention leadership, visited the United Center in May 2026 to inspect it as a possible location for 2028. The DNC Chair, Ken Martin, stated on social media that each city presented strong bids to host a celebration of the future nominee.

“Each city presented strong bids to host an inspiring celebration of our party’s future nominee and a critical step on our path to retaking the White House,” Martin stated.

The possibility remains that Chicago could host the convention in 2032, as the local host committee is bidding for that future event. Emily Soong, spokesperson for the Chicago 2028 Bid Committee, expressed pride in Chicago’s history of hosting successful conventions.

“Chicago is proud to have hosted the best Democratic National Convention in history, and we were honored to raise our hand once again to be considered for 2028,” Soong stated, emphasizing their support for whichever host city is selected.

The host committee was operating on leftover funds from its 2024 efforts and had not begun actively raising additional funds for 2028.

During the DNC officials’ visit to Chicago in May, Governor Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson praised the successful 2024 convention, noting optimism for a repeat event despite coordination challenges with Republican President Donald Trump’s administration. Johnson thanked the DNC for considering Chicago, labeling the 2024 convention a “tremendous success.”

Alderman Walter “Red” Burnett of the 27th ward, which includes the United Center, was unfazed by the news and commented on potential redevelopment impacts.

“I’m not fretting about it,” Burnett said. He recognized challenges for Chicago hosting the event but noted the city had recently hosted.

Chicago has a history of hosting repeat conventions. President Franklin Roosevelt was nominated for a third and fourth term at Chicago Stadium in 1940 and 1944. Former Illinois Governor Adlai Stevenson received the nomination at the International Amphitheatre in 1952 and 1956. Republicans also hosted five straight conventions in the city from 1904 to 1920.

“This city is used to hosting great conventions, and we’ve done it before twice in a row, so I’m excited to welcome folks back and to be supportive of it,” Pritzker said during a May press conference.