Pittsburgh will host 2026 NFL Draft
The National Football League announced Wednesday that the NFL Draft will be held in Pittsburgh in 2026.
The Pittsburgh Steelers submitted a formal bid to host the league’s marquee offseason event in February, and it was approved during the league’s two-day spring meetings in Nashville, Tenn.
“We think it will be the largest visitor event in the history of Pittsburgh,” Steelers president Art Rooney II said to reporters in Nashville. “Hosting hundreds of thousands of people and really football fans from all over the country, certainly Steelers Nation from all over the country we think will come.”
The draft, typically held in the final week of April, will incorporate elements of Point State Park and Acrisure Stadium. Rooney said the draft itself will be outside of the stadium on the North Shore and will spill into downtown.
“The NFL Draft is one of the biggest, most-anticipated sporting events of the year, and we’re thrilled to partner with the Pittsburgh Steelers and VisitPITTSBURGH for our 2026 event,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. “We have a unique opportunity to spotlight this wonderful community on a global stage, benefiting Pittsburgh’s economy and entertaining football fans from all markets. We know this pride of Pennsylvania will shine bright in 2026.”
In addition to the actual NFL draft selection of players, the three-day event will include a variety of activities and community events, including a concert series and the NFL Draft Experience fan festival, which is free to fans and features exhibits, games, photo opportunities, shopping and autographs from current and former NFL players.
“This will be an amazing event that will highlight everything the region has to offer on a national and international level,” Rooney said. “I truly appreciate the work that has been done by VisitPITTSBURGH, the NFL, local and state officials, and internally within our organization to accomplish our goal of being selected to host the NFL Draft. We look forward to football fans from all across the country coming to enjoy our city’s culture while also showcasing our rich football history and tradition in the region.”
It is the first time this century that Pittsburgh will host the draft, which began rotating among NFL cities in 2015 after being held for decades in New York. Detroit hosted the draft in April. Green Bay will host it in 2025.
Pittsburgh hosted the draft in December 1947 at the Fort Pitt Hotel.
“This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity will allow us to showcase our city to an international audience, and it will give us a chance to say to our global fanbase, come on home to Pittsburgh,” Mayor Ed Gainey said. “We are excited for everyone to see the transformation that has taken place, and to see Pittsburgh as more than the City of Champions, but a place where everyone is safe and welcome. A city where everyone has a chance to thrive, and where football erases the boundaries of our 90 neighborhoods, and we become one city, united, to cheer on our beloved Steelers.”
In March, Rooney said he was “optimistic” about the Steelers’ bid, which was weighed against approximately two dozen others submitted by NFL teams.
Last month, 775,000 fans attended the three-day gala in downtown Detroit, setting a league attendance record. The previous high was 600,000 when the 2019 draft was held in Nashville.
Detroit attracted a record 275,000 people for the first day of the event and drew 550,000 through the first two rounds, according to NFL data. The NFL said more than 53.6 million viewers watched the 2024 draft, which is televised on multiple networks.
“Today, Pittsburgh has established itself as one of the most dynamic cities in the country — and as the birthplace of professional football, it is the best choice to host the draft,” Gov. Josh Shapiro said in a statement. “With all eyes on Pennsylvania during the nation’s 250th birthday, the Commonwealth is excited and ready to work together to host this historic draft and show the country what Pennsylvania is all about.”
Since 2015, more than 3 million fans have attended NFL Draft events in person, generating more than $1 billion in economic impact for host cities. Chicago hosted in 2015 and ‘16, followed by Philadelphia, Dallas, Nashville, Cleveland, Las Vegas, Kansas City and Detroit. The 2020 draft was held virtually because of the pandemic.
“From greeting visitors at the updated Pittsburgh International Airport to showing off all of our fabulous cultural gems, we are a great place for sports fans from across the country to visit,” Allegheny County executive Sara Innamorato said. “… We are looking forward to working with all of our partners to put on a welcoming and memorable NFL Draft.”
The event was projected to generate more than $160 million in revenue for Detroit in April via hotel rooms, merchandise sales and food and beverages purchased at bars and restaurants.
“For that week, the host city becomes the epicenter of sports and entertainment as we bring in and build many of the same elements that we have during Super Bowl week,” NFL spokesman Brian Mc-Carthy told TribLive in November when the Steelers were preparing their bid. “There are community events, youth clinics at local parks and schools, an interactive theme park like you would see at the Super Bowl.”
With the event being nearly two years away, team and city officials will continue the planning process to accommodate swarms of visitors to the region.
“Being awarded the 2026 NFL Draft is a testament to Pittsburgh’s rich football legacy and a renowned recognition of our city’s vibrant culture and welcoming spirit,” said Jerad Bachar, president and CEO of VisitPITTSBURGH. “Momentum for Pittsburgh as the 2026 host city is only just beginning, and we look forward to working alongside our regional partners to plan and execute a world-class event that rolls out the black and gold carpet for football fans from across the country and around the world.”
Fans looking to get front-of-line access to view ticket and hospitality packages and secure their seat at the draft can sign up via On Location’s website.
