Overview
- DNC Chair Ken Martin announced on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, that Boston, Denver and Philadelphia are the three finalists and that party leaders will pick a final site later this year.
- Atlanta and Chicago were dropped from the five-city field after spring site visits that evaluated arena size, hotel capacity, transport, security and cities’ ability to raise convention funds.
- The three remaining cities each have prior DNC experience — Boston (2004), Denver (2008) and Philadelphia (2016) — a factor party officials cited for confidence in their logistical readiness.
- Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens criticized the decision as evidence the party is retreating from the South and Black voters, highlighting internal tension over geographic representation and outreach.
- Next steps include months of contract and logistics negotiations by the DNC Convention Committee with potential second-order effects on fundraising, local business activity and the party’s 2028 electoral strategy.