Philly leaders discuss city’s bid for the 2028 Democratic National Convention

City leaders gathered Thursday afternoon to discuss Philadelphia’s bid to host the 2028 Democratic National Convention.

The event began at the Xfinity Mobile Arena at 1:45 p.m. Mayor Cherelle Parker, former Ambassador and President of Pick Pennsylvania David Cohen, Comcast Spectacor Chairman and CEO Dan Hilferty and DNC Chairman Ken Martin are among those who attended the event.  

Martin and a delegation from the Democratic National Committee began touring Philadelphia on Wednesday, April 29, and will continue to tour through Friday, May 1. The group is assessing “the logistical and operational components” of Philadelphia’s bid.

The meeting attendees are currently reviewing the “unique advantages” of Xfinity Mobile Arena where the Democratic National Convention would take place if Philadelphia is chosen as the host city.

The DNC announced in early March that Philadelphia, along with Atlanta, Boston, Chicago and Denver, were the five cities they were considering as the host of their next convention, which is set to take place between Aug. 7 and Aug. 10 in 2028.

The last time Philadelphia hosted the Democratic National Committee was in 2016 at the former Wells Fargo Center (currently the Xfinity Mobile Arena). Former U.S. Secretary of State and former First Lady Hillary Clinton was chosen as the party’s nominee for president over Senator Bernie Sanders. Clinton would go on to lose the 2016 presidential election to Donald Trump.

Philadelphia also hosted the 2000 Republican National Convention.