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Officials say hosting the convention could bring as much as $400 million in economic benefits to the city.

Democratic National Committee leaders are expected to tour the city Monday, May 18, as part of the selection process for the 2028 Democratic National Convention, with state and city officials rolling out the red carpet for party leadership during the high-profile visit.

Gov. Maura Healey, Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, and Boston 2028 Chair Steve Kerrigan are scheduled to join DNC officials for the tour, which will include visits to potential convention-related venues across the city.

The visit marks the latest step in Boston’s effort to land the convention nearly a quarter-century after the city last hosted Democrats on the national stage. 

Boston hosted the 2004 Democratic National Convention at what was then called the FleetCenter (now TD Garden), nominating then-Senator John Kerry from Massachusetts for president and Senator John Edwards from North Carolina for vice president. The convention also introduced many Americans to a rising political figure: then-Illinois Sen. Barack Obama who delivered the keynote speech at the convention, and would become president five years later.

Boston is among five finalist cities still under consideration by the DNC for the 2028 event, including Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, and Philadelphia.

Supporters of Boston’s bid say the city offers a mix of historic symbolism, transportation infrastructure, higher education institutions, and major event experience that could make it an attractive host site.

“We are grateful to advance to this next round of consideration and look forward to working with the DNC, our many partners, and the greater community to demonstrate how Boston is a world-class city and the right choice to host the Democratic National Convention in 2028,” said Steve Kerrigan, president of Boston 2028, in a March news release after the city advanced in the selection process.

Kerrigan also said hosting the convention could generate significant economic activity for Massachusetts, estimating the event could bring “as much as $400 million of economic benefit to our Commonwealth.”

Wu framed Boston’s candidacy as both symbolic and forward-looking.

“Boston is proof that we can build the democracy our founders fought for, and we’re excited to advance in the process to host the people and party dedicated to defending it,” Wu said in the announcement. “We look forward to welcoming the nation to the city where it all began as we chart the course for our future.”

Healey similarly emphasized the city’s historic ties to American democracy.

“The story of Boston is the story of America — and there’s no better place to chart the path forward than the birthplace of democracy,” Healey said.

The most recent Democratic National Convention was held in Chicago in 2024.

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