NFL Announces Pittsburgh as Host City for 2026 Draft

The NFL logo is displayed on the turf as the Denver Broncos defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 24-17 at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver on Sept. 14, 2014. (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

The city of Pittsburgh has been chosen to host the 2026 NFL draft.

It marks the Steel City’s first time hosting the NFL draft since 1949, when it was held at the Schenley Hotel, which has since been acquired by the University of Pittsburgh and is used as its student union.

The city also hosted the draft the prior year, in 1948, at the Fort Pitt Hotel.

The announcement that Pittsburgh will host the 91st NFL draft was made at the league’s annual Spring League Meeting in Nashville, Tennesee.

“The NFL Draft is one of the biggest, most-anticipated sporting events of the year, and we’re thrilled to partner with the Pittsburgh Steelers and VisitPITTSBURGH for our 2026 event,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement.

“We have a unique opportunity to spotlight this wonderful community on a global stage, benefiting Pittsburgh’s economy and entertaining football fans from all markets. We know this pride of Pennsylvania will shine bright in 2026.”

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The league hasn’t announced the exact dates or location of the three-day event, but each of the last nine NFL Drafts has taken place in late April, starting on a Thursday and ending on a Saturday.

In a statement released by the Pittsburgh Steelers, the organization said the draft will be “incorporating elements of iconic Point State Park as well as Acrisure Stadium, home of the Pittsburgh Steelers.”

New York City had a stranglehold on the draft for 50 years, from 1965 to 2014, with various hotels, entertainment venues, and theaters across the city hosting the function.

Beginning in 2015, the NFL opened up the draft location to bidding from other cities that house teams. The 2024 NFL draft was held in Detroit, home of the Lions, and next year’s will take place from April 24-26 in Green Bay, Wisconsin, home of the Packers.

While this will be the third NFL draft held in Pittsburgh, it will be the 18th to take place in Pennsylvania. Philadelphia hosted 15 of those, with the last coming in 2017. Pennsylvania’s governor noted that the timing of the state hosting the draft is opportune as Pennsylvania will celebrate its 250th anniversary since being admitted to the union just one year later in 2027.

“As Governor of Pennsylvania, I have been proud to make the case for Pittsburgh to host the NFL Draft, from my direct conversations with NFL leadership at last year’s Super Bowl, to our administration’s consistent work alongside the Steelers and our local partners over the past year to showcase Pittsburgh’s great strengths,” said Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro in a statement released by the Steelers.

“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 during the nation’s 250th birthday, the Commonwealth is excited and ready to work together to host this historic Draft and show the country what Pennsylvania is all about.”

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris, top, jumps over Los Angeles Rams safety Jordan Fuller during the second half of an NFL football game in Inglewood, Calif., on Oct. 22, 2023. (Gregory Bull/AP Photo)

Since the 2020 draft, which was held virtually due to the pandemic, the attendance for each successive draft has increased. This year’s draft in Detroit had a combined attendance of over 700,000 fans, which set a new record, besting Nashville’s previous record of 600,000 in 2019. Steelers owner and president Art Rooney II anticipates that Pittsburgh will have its own attendance records in 2026.

“We think it will be the largest visitor event in the history of Pittsburgh, hosting hundreds of thousands of people, and really, football fans from all over the country,” said Rooney II. “Certainly Steelers Nation from all over the country we think will come for a visit. So we just look forward to hosting that. It will be an exciting time.”

The NFL draft has evolved into much more than just teams selecting players out of college with hopes they will become future contributors. There are also adjacent community events, often involving players on the local team, as well as various entertainment activities. There is a concert series as part of the festivities, with musical acts performing each day, as well as the draft experience, which serves as a fan festival. It often involves games and exhibits, with both current NFL players and legends taking part.

Being awarded the draft is another feather in the cap of the Pittsburgh Steelers franchise, which began play in 1933. The Steelers were the first NFL franchise to win three Super Bowls, the first to win four Super Bowls, and the first to win six Super Bowls—with those six championships tying the New England Patriots for the most in league history. However, Pittsburgh beats the New England region in the race to host an NFL draft since the league expanded its host cities in 2015.