The official countdown to the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh is on.
Visit Pittsburgh announced Thursday morning that the draft will take place April 23-25 2026.
The exact location of the draft hasn’t been announced yet, but Visit Pittsburgh says in a release, “the main portion of the event is expected to incorporate elements of Pittsburgh’s North Shore and Point State Park, as well as Acrisure Stadium, with a variety of venues to be utilized and activated within close proximity.”
Other than the Super Bowl, there isn’t a bigger event the City of Pittsburgh could host.
For fans, there will also be a free NFL Draft Experience, fan fest, featuring “immersive exhibits and games, enjoy musical performances and autographic sessions and take photos with the Vince Lombardi Trophy.”
“This is a monumental step forward in bringing the 2026 NFL Draft to life right here in the City of Champions,” said Jerad Bachar, President & CEO of VisitPITTSBURGH. “With just 15 months to go, we look forward to continuing our strong partnership with the NFL and officials at the state, county, city and Pittsburgh Steelers to work collaboratively across the community to produce one of the best events Pittsburgh has ever hosted and one of the most memorable NFL Drafts the world has ever watched. Mark your calendars, because all eyes will be on Pittsburgh soon.”
The draft will generate millions of dollars for Pittsburgh’s economy.
In recent times, when Taylor Swift brought her world tour to Pittsburgh, local business boomed.
According to Visit Pittsburgh, her two concerts generated approximately $46 million for the city and surrounding areas.
Could something similar be expected with an NFL Draft?
In Kansas City, the site of the 2023 NFL Draft, the city saw an economic impact of approximately $160 million according to University of Michigan Professor Stefan Szymanski. This past year, there are estimates from city officials of up to $175 million to $200 million in business for the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit which saw over a quarter million people in attendance.