The 2026 NFL Draft runs April 23-25 in Pittsburgh, marking the Steel City’s first time hosting since 1948. The main stage sits outside Acrisure Stadium, with the free fan festival at Point State Park expected to draw between 500,000 and 700,000 fans to western Pennsylvania.
2026 NFL Draft Schedule and Start Times
Round 1 kicks off Thursday, April 23, with the Las Vegas Raiders on the clock at No. 1 overall—their first top pick since selecting JaMarcus Russell in 2007. The New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals follow at Nos. 2 and 3, respectively.
Here’s the full schedule breakdown (with estimated start times based on 2025):
- Thursday, April 23 — Round 1, 8 p.m. ET
- Friday, April 24 — Rounds 2-3, 7 p.m. ET
- Saturday, April 25 — Rounds 4-7, 12 p.m. ET
Coverage will air on NFL Network, ABC, ESPN, and ESPN Deportes. Streaming options include YouTube TV, Hulu+ Live TV, Fubo, and the NFL+ app.
MORE: Updated NFL Draft Order
The draft stage sits along Pittsburgh’s North Shore riverfront, just outside the Steelers’ home stadium. Point State Park—the triangular landmark where the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio Rivers converge—hosts the NFL Draft Experience, a free three-day fan festival featuring autograph sessions with current players and legends, photo opportunities with the Vince Lombardi Trophy, and the youth-focused Play 60 Zone.
Admission to the Draft Experience is free, though fans must register through the NFL OnePass app to participate in activities.
Pittsburgh’s Draft History and What to Expect in 2026
The league hasn’t held its annual selection meeting in Pittsburgh since 1948, when team executives gathered at the since-demolished Fort Pitt Hotel downtown. That draft produced two Hall of Famers in the first round: Bobby Layne went third to the Steelers, and Y.A. Tittle went sixth to the Lions.
Nearly eight decades later, the event looks nothing like it did in a hotel conference room. Detroit’s 2024 draft drew a record 775,000 fans over three days. Green Bay followed in 2025 with 600,000 attendees at Lambeau Field. Pittsburgh officials project similar numbers, with an economic impact ranging from $120 million to $213 million based on previous host cities.
Pittsburgh becomes only the fourth city to host the draft multiple times, joining New York (57), Philadelphia (12), and Chicago (10). The timing coincides with Pennsylvania’s celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, which also brings the MLB All-Star Game, PGA Championship, NCAA men’s basketball tournament, and FIFA World Cup matches to the state in 2026.
“This will be an amazing event that will highlight everything the region has to offer on a national and international level,” Steelers president Art Rooney II said when the host city was announced. “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.”
The draft order remains in flux with the playoffs ongoing, but the Raiders are locked into the No. 1 pick after finishing 3-14. The remaining 12 playoff teams will slot into picks 19-32 based on their postseason exits, with the Super Bowl champion picking last.
