The Steelers and government officials met with the media on Thursday to talk about the NFL Draft coming to Pittsburgh in 2026.
Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey was ambitious with his estimate on the number of people that will be coming to town in April 2026. He believes it will be around one million
“I can guarantee you, you will have close to one million people waving a Myron Cope towel, saying ‘Here we go Steelers, here we go.’”
Gainey believes with the large number of Steelers fans across the country and world, along with Pittsburghers that grew up locally, but later moved away, will come back for the Draft.
Steelers owner Art Rooney II said they will be celebrating Pittsburgh, the birthplace of professional football.
Pudge Heffelfinger of the Allegheny Athletic Association on the North Side, is considered the first pro football athlete in history.
Rooney added in addition to the hundreds of thousands of visitors to Pittsburgh, millions more will be watching on television.
The Draft will be held at Acrisure Stadium, onto the North Shore and Point State Park.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro said “Pittsburgh is the absolute best choice to host the NFL Draft.”
Shapiro says in his many conversations with NFL’s commissioner, Roger Goodell pointed out the view from Mt. Washington as something he is excited to utilize when the draft coming to Pittsburgh.
Shapiro also took a moment to apologize to Goodell for all of the pestering over the past couple years.
“I just want to apologize for being a pain in your ass over the last couple of years, constantly bugging you about this,” said Shapiro.
The timing of the draft is also important for Shapiro. 2026 is America’s 250th birthday and Pennsylvania is holding many national and word events: The World Cup and MLB All-Star Game in Philadelphia and now, the Atlantic 10 tournament and NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.
“The NFL draft is a life-changing event for hundreds of young men every single year, the culmination of decades of work and sacrifice for the players and their families,” said Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis. “In 2026, Pennsylvanians can see the whole process, up close and personal, as the NFL brings the draft to Pittsburgh. I can’t wait for the rest of America to get to experience everything I love about my hometown – the grit, the blue-collar attitude and our passion for the ultimate team sport, NFL football.”
Jared Bachar, President and CEO of Visit Pittsburgh says the NFL Draft is expected to generate between $120 to $165 million into the local economy.
Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato says Pittsburgh and the region will be prepared to host the draft, pointing out the completion of the new airport opening in 2025.
Gainey says they will also be prepared for logistical and public safety challenges.
He says he went to Detroit to talk with its mayor about how the pulled off the draft this past April.
Gainey adds Public Safety has been preparing over the past months and are planning for the largest event in Pittsburgh history.
As for the exact location of the Draft, Rooney says they don’t have the exact location for the stage, but that it will be close to Acrisure Stadium.
The NFL also requires some sort of large event around the Draft. Rooney says a large celebration is being planned for Saturday, the final day of the draft.
More details will be released in the coming months and over the next two years.