The choice is made for Pittsburgh. The NFL announced today that the 2026 NFL Draft presented by Bud Light will take place in Pittsburgh, incorporating elements of iconic Point State Park as well as Acrisure Stadium, home of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The announcement was made at the NFL Spring League meeting in Nashville, following a review of Pittsburgh’s bid proposal by the Fan Engagement and Major Events Advisory Committee and the full property.
“The NFL Draft is one of the largest and most anticipated sporting events of the year, and we are thrilled to partner with the Pittsburgh Steelers and VisitPITTSBURGH for our 2026 event,” said Commissioner the NFL, Roger Goodell. “We have a unique opportunity to shine a spotlight on this wonderful community on the world stage, benefiting Pittsburgh’s economy and entertaining football fans in every market. We know this Pennsylvania pride will shine brightly in 2026.”
“As Pennsylvania Governor, I have been proud to advocate for Pittsburgh to host the NFL Draft, from my direct conversations with NFL executives during last year’s Super Bowl, to the constant work of our administration alongside the Steelers and our local partners over the past year to showcase Pittsburgh’s great strengths,” said Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. “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. With all eyes on Pennsylvania “On the nation’s 250th anniversary, the Commonwealth is excited and ready to work together to host this historic draft and show the country what Pennsylvania is all about.”
The NFL Draft has quickly become one of the most anticipated sporting events of the year with over 50 million viewers worldwide. The three-day event is expected to draw representatives from all 32 NFL teams, top prospects from the nation’s most iconic college conferences and hundreds of thousands of devoted fans.
“Allegheny County is excited to host the 2026 NFL Draft. From welcoming visitors to the renovated Pittsburgh International Airport to showcasing all of our fabulous cultural gems, we are a great place to visit for “Thank you to the host committee who helped prepare this bid, we look forward to working with all of our partners to deliver a welcoming and memorable NFL Draft,” said County Executive Sara. Innamorato.
“Pittsburgh is honored to be named the host city for the 2026 NFL Draft,” said Mayor Ed Gainey. “This unique opportunity will allow us to showcase our city to an international audience and give us the opportunity to say to our global fans: come home to Pittsburgh. We are excited for everyone to see the transformation that has taken place. place, and to see Pittsburgh as more than the city of champions, but as a place where everyone is safe and welcome, a city where everyone has the chance to flourish, and where football erases the boundaries of our 90 neighborhoods, and we become one city, united, to cheer on our beloved Steelers.”
Throughout the three-day event, Pittsburgh will host a series of draft activities, including a variety of community events, a concert series presented by Bud Light and NFL Draft Experience – the ultimate NFL fan festival . Draft Experience will be free for fans, inviting them to participate in immersive exhibitions and games; take photos with the Vince Lombardi Trophy; enjoy the Play 60 zone focused on young people; purchase exclusive products from the NFL Shop presented by Visa; and get autographs from current NFL players and legends.
“Winning the 2026 NFL Draft is a testament to Pittsburgh’s rich football heritage and a recognized recognition of our city’s vibrant culture and welcoming spirit,” said Jerad Bachar, President and CEO from VisitPITTSBURGH. “Pittsburgh’s momentum as a 2026 host city is just beginning, and we look forward to working alongside our regional partners to plan and execute a world-class event that will roll out the black and gold carpet for football fans from all over the country and the surrounding world.
The NFL Draft marks a full circle for the city and its namesake team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, as the beginnings of what would become the first NFL Draft took place in 1936 during the first player selection meeting at the Fort Pitt Hotel in downtown Pittsburgh.
“We are thrilled that the city of Pittsburgh has been selected to host the 2026 NFL Draft,” said Art Rooney II, President of the Pittsburgh Steelers. “This will be an incredible event that will showcase all that the region has to offer nationally and internationally. I truly appreciate the work that has been done by VisitPITTSBURGH, the NFL, local and state officials, and internally at within our organization to accomplish our goal of being selected to host the NFL Draft. We look forward to football fans from across the country coming to enjoy our city’s culture while showcasing our rich history and. football tradition in the region.
The NFL Draft has become the league’s biggest offseason event. Since 2015, more than 3 million fans across the country have attended Draft festivities in person.
Most recently, the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit attracted a record 775,000 fans in person and attracted more than 53.6 million total viewers over three days.
The 2025 NFL Draft presented by Bud Light will take place in Green Bay from April 24-26, 2025.
More information about the 2026 NFL Draft, including venues, fan activation, volunteer opportunities, community involvement and more, will be posted closer to the event on VisitPITTSBURGH. com/NFL-Draft-Pittsburgh.
News Source : www.steelers.com
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