Who's Running 2028
Updated June 28, 2026

2028 national party conventions

The 2028 Republican National Convention (RNC) and Democratic National Convention (DNC) have not been scheduled yet. Based on every recent cycle, both conventions take place in summer 2028 - likely July or August - and formally nominate each party's presidential and vice-presidential ticket. Here is what is and is not decided, plus the full recent convention history.

2028 status

RNC 2028 and DNC 2028: what we know

R Republican National Convention 2028

  • DatesNot yet announced
  • Host cityNot yet selected
  • Expected timingSummer 2028 (July or August)
  • Most recent RNCMilwaukee, WI - July 15-18, 2024

The RNC has historically been held before the DNC. Host city announcements typically come 18-24 months in advance; expect news by late 2026 or 2027.

D Democratic National Convention 2028

  • DatesNot yet announced
  • Host cityNot yet selected
  • Expected timingSummer 2028 (July or August)
  • Most recent DNCChicago, IL - August 19-22, 2024

The DNC has recently come after the RNC. Competitive city bids are typically submitted 18-24 months out; expect an announcement in 2026 or 2027.

How it works

What happens at a national convention

  1. Roll call vote

    Delegates from every state and territory cast votes for the presidential nominee. The candidate who reaches a majority of pledged delegates - typically on the first ballot - is formally nominated.

  2. VP selection confirmed

    The vice-presidential pick is announced (usually before the convention opens) and confirmed by a delegate vote. The ticket is set at the end of this process.

  3. Platform vote

    The party formally adopts its platform - a statement of policy positions. The platform is drafted by committees before the convention and voted on by delegates.

  4. Keynote and major speeches

    Each night features prime-time speeches from governors, senators, and party figures building to the nominee's acceptance speech, typically on the final night.

  5. Acceptance speech

    The presidential nominee delivers the convention's signature address to a nationwide TV audience, framing the general-election campaign's central message.

Modern major-party conventions run four days, typically Monday through Thursday. They are televised nationally and watched by tens of millions of viewers.

Convention history

Recent national convention locations and dates

YearR Republican National ConventionD Democratic National Convention
2024
Milwaukee, WI
July 15-18, 2024
Chicago, IL
August 19-22, 2024
2020
Charlotte, NC / Washington, DC area
August 24-27, 2020
Both conventions were substantially modified due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Virtual (planned Milwaukee, WI)
August 17-20, 2020
2016
Cleveland, OH
July 18-21, 2016
Philadelphia, PA
July 25-28, 2016
2028TBD
Expected summer 2028
TBD
Expected summer 2028

Sources: general public record for 2016, 2020, and 2024 convention details. The 2020 conventions were substantially modified due to COVID-19.

What is and is not decided for 2028

Decided: conventions will happen in summer 2028, each running roughly four days. The formal nomination of a presidential ticket and VP pick will take place at the convention. Election Day is November 7, 2028.

Not yet decided: specific dates, host cities, and the order (which comes first). City bids are typically solicited 18-24 months in advance, meaning announcements are expected in 2026 or 2027.

Related: 2028 primary calendar, when is the 2028 inauguration, will there be a 2028 election.

Quick answers

2028 convention FAQ

When are the 2028 national conventions?
The 2028 Republican and Democratic national conventions have not been scheduled yet. Based on recent cycles, expect them in July or August 2028. The Republican convention has typically come before the Democratic convention in recent election years. The party committees normally announce dates and host cities 18-24 months in advance.
Where will the 2028 Republican National Convention be held?
No host city has been announced. The Republican National Committee selects a host city through a competitive bid process, typically 18-24 months before the convention. Based on that timeline, an announcement for the 2028 RNC is expected in 2026 or 2027.
Where will the 2028 Democratic National Convention be held?
No host city has been announced. The Democratic National Committee has not named a host city for the 2028 DNC. The selection process typically begins 18-24 months out, pointing to an announcement in 2026 or 2027.
How are national convention host cities chosen?
Cities submit competitive bids to the national party committees. Key factors include arena and hotel room capacity, transportation infrastructure, security suitability, and financial commitments from the host city and state. Both parties typically select host cities 18-24 months before the convention.
What happens at a presidential nominating convention?
Over four days, state delegations cast votes to formally nominate the presidential ticket. The nominee accepts the nomination in a prime-time speech on the final night. Platforms are debated and adopted, and party leaders and elected officials deliver major addresses throughout. The convention formally ends the primary process and launches the general election.
When does the 2028 convention season affect the primaries?
The conventions mark the end of the primary season. Primaries run from roughly January through June 2028, candidates accumulate delegates, and the conventions in summer 2028 formally ratify the nominee. The exact 2028 primary and convention schedule has not been set.
What is a convention bounce?
A convention bounce is the temporary rise in a presidential nominee's poll numbers that typically follows a successful national convention. Historically candidates gain a few percentage points immediately after the convention. The effect usually fades within weeks as the opposing party holds its own convention.
What if no candidate has enough delegates at the 2028 convention?
If no candidate arrives at the convention with a majority of pledged delegates, the result is a contested (brokered) convention. Delegates may be released to vote for other candidates on subsequent ballots, and intense negotiations occur until someone reaches the majority threshold. This has not happened at a major-party convention since 1952.

See also: full 2028 candidate tracker, 2028 primary calendar, 2028 Democratic candidates, 2028 Republican candidates.

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