Pittsburgh will host the NFL Draft for the first time since 1948, and the event promises to be one of the most unique draft experiences in recent memory. The Steel City will welcome hundreds of thousands of fans to a split-venue setup spanning both sides of the Allegheny River, with the main stage at Acrisure Stadium and the NFL Draft Experience taking over Point State Park.
When Does the 2026 NFL Draft Start?
The Las Vegas Raiders hold the No. 1 overall pick after finishing 3-14 last season, with Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza widely expected to be the selection.
The 91st annual NFL Draft runs Thursday, April 23, through Saturday, April 25. Round 1 begins at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday night, the primetime showcase that draws the largest television audience of the three-day event. Rounds 2 and 3 follow on Friday at 7 p.m. ET, while Rounds 4 through 7 wrap things up Saturday, beginning at noon ET.
This year’s draft features 257 total selections across seven rounds. The NFL awarded 33 compensatory picks to 15 teams, with the Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Ravens, and Pittsburgh Steelers each receiving four additional selections.
The draft order shifted throughout free agency as teams traded picks alongside players, and more movement is expected before commissioner Roger Goodell takes the stage in Pittsburgh.
The 2026 NFL Draft will take place on a two-site campus connected by the Roberto Clemente Bridge. The Draft Theater and Main Stage sit on the North Shore, using the area outside Acrisure Stadium as a natural amphitheater.
The NFL Draft Experience, the league’s free fan festival, is held at Point State Park in downtown Pittsburgh. Fans can access both sites with free registration through the NFL OnePass app or at NFL.com/DraftAccess.
How to Watch the 2026 NFL Draft?
The draft airs across multiple networks and streaming platforms. ABC, ESPN, and NFL Network carry the main broadcast for all three days, with ESPN Deportes providing Spanish-language coverage. Streaming options include the ESPN app, NFL+, Disney+, and Hulu.
ESPN and ABC will each produce separate telecasts for Rounds 1 through 3 on Thursday and Friday nights. On Saturday, ESPN continues with Rounds 4 through 7 while ABC simulcasts the coverage.
For cord-cutters, YouTube TV, Fubo, Sling TV, and DirecTV Stream all offer packages that include ESPN, ABC, or NFL Network. Most services provide free trials for new subscribers.
Details on Notable Free Agency Moves
The 2026 league year began March 11 at 4 p.m. ET, with the salary cap set at $301.2 million per team. The two-day negotiating window opened on March 9, allowing teams to contact agents of unrestricted free agents ahead of the official signing period.
Major moves have already reshaped the draft landscape. Trey Hendrickson signed a four-year, $112 million deal with the Ravens. The Chicago Bears traded wide receiver DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills.
According to PFSN’s WR Impact Metric, Moore finished last season as the 73rd-ranked receiver in the league with an impact score of 71.6. However, Buffalo knows he is a much better player than that, and they will rely on him heavily in the upcoming season.
In other notable transactions, the Arizona Cardinals released Kyler Murray, who signed with the Minnesota Vikings on a one-year deal. The New York Jets acquired safety Minkah Fitzpatrick from Miami and gave him a three-year, $40 million contract extension. The Kansas City Chiefs also signed Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III and made a big splash to address the team’s biggest issue, i.e., the running back position.
These transactions affect draft strategy across the league. Teams that addressed needs in free agency may shift their draft priorities, while those that lost key players could target replacements with their picks.
The trading period for draft selections opened alongside free agency, and several franchises have already swapped picks to position themselves for April. The draft is still six weeks away, which gives front offices enough time to finalize their boards and conduct remaining pro day workouts.
