When are the 2028 national party conventions?
The 2028 Democratic and Republican national conventions have not been scheduled yet. Based on recent cycles, expect them in July or August 2028, several months before Election Day.
As of mid-2026, neither the Democratic National Committee nor the Republican National Committee has announced the dates or host cities for their 2028 national conventions. Convention planning typically begins 18-24 months before the event, which means announcements are expected in 2026 or 2027.
In recent election cycles, conventions have been held in July or August of the election year, roughly two to three months before Election Day in November. The Republican convention typically comes first, followed by the Democratic convention, though this order has occasionally varied.
Convention cities are chosen through a competitive bidding process in which cities submit proposals to the national party committees. Factors include arena capacity, hotel inventory, security infrastructure, and financial incentives offered by the host city and state.
The convention schedule matters because it marks the formal start of the general election campaign - the nominee accepts the party's nomination, delivers a major speech to a national television audience, and typically experiences a polling 'convention bounce' in the following days.
Related questions
How long do conventions last?
Can I attend a national convention?
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Related explainers
The national convention formally nominates the presidential and vice presidential candidates, adopts the party platform, and serves as a major televised showcase for the party heading into the general election.
The presidential nominee personally selects their running mate. There is no primary or formal party vote. The choice is the nominee's alone, subject to informal vetting and consultation.
Presidential nominees are chosen by their party's national convention, based on delegates won in state primaries and caucuses. The person who wins a majority of delegates becomes the official nominee.
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