Democratic National Committee visits Philadelphia as part of 2028 convention selection process

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- The Democratic National Committee is in Philadelphia this week to assess if the city is the right pick to host the 2028 Democratic National Convention.

Philadelphia is one of five finalists, along with Atlanta, Boston, Chicago and Denver.

On Thursday afternoon, the committee toured the Xfinity Mobile Arena - the potential site for the convention. At the South Philadelphia arena, local leaders said Philadelphia is prepared and well-positioned to meet the moment.

"Philadelphia has a proven record of delivering major national events, and each time, we've raised the bar," said David Cohen, the president of the 2028 Democratic National Convention host committee. "From a booming hospitality sector, to major renovations in our arena and convention center, to world-class operations and logistics, it's never been a better time to pick Pennsylvania to host the next Democratic National Convention."

Cohen said Philadelphia would need to raise $100 million in private donations in order to fund the event. He said they have already started making calls to potential donors.

"The enthusiasm among potential donors for Philadelphia hosting another political convention is off the charts," Cohen said.

Philadelphia hosted the Republican National Convention in 2000 and the Democratic National Convention in 2016, both at the Xfinity Mobile Arena.

Dan Hilferty, the chairman of Comcast-Spectacor, said. "It is a completely different arena than it was in 2016 - both in name, and importantly, in its functionality."

The committee arrived in Philadelphia on Wednesday and will stay in the city through Friday.

Cohen said local leaders are showing the committee what makes Philadelphia special.

Along with touring the arena, the committee was spotted at several spots in Center City, like the Pennsylvania Convention Center and Reading Terminal Market.

Mayor Cherelle Parker said the city is well-suited to welcome a political event of this size to town.

"We've expanded our hotel capacity, strengthened our infrastructure, and shown time and time again that we do large-scale events better than any other city," she said.

Ken Martin, the chairman of the Democratic National Committee, also spoke on Thursday afternoon.

He called the convention a "critical opportunity" for the Democratic Party to speak directly to the American people. He also said hosting the convention can be a great economic boom for any city.

"With 35,000 delegates, guests and members of the press in attendance, the Democratic National Convention helps demonstrate its host city as a world-class destination," Martin said.

Martin said the committee plans to visit all five cities before making a decision. Philadelphia was the second stop on their tour.