The Pick is In. The Place is Pittsburgh. 

The 2026 NFL Draft is from Thursday, April 23 to Saturday, April 25, 2026 in Pittsburgh. 

The Draft will take place on the North Shore and in Downtown Pittsburgh.

The NFL Draft Experience is a free, family-friendly festival taking place outside of Acrisure Stadium on the North Shore and Point State Park in downtown from Thursday, April 23 to Saturday, April 25. All ages can attend and enjoy interactive games, exhibits, free player autographs sessions, and more. Attractions will run simultaneously with the Draft. Event maps and the full list of activities are available in the NFL OnePass app.

The Draft Theater, located on the North Shore  and adjacent to the fan festival, is where prospects will hear their names called and officially join their new teams. Seating inside the Theater is reserved for invited ticket holders, but as space becomes available, fans may have the chance to be selected for standing-room or other seating opportunities based on availability. Fans should note that the NFL OnePass QR code provides access to Draft Experience activities but is not a ticket to enter the Draft Theater.

No, admission to the NFL Draft Experience is free at both the North Shore and Downtown venues. Registration is required for entry into both Draft campus. Fans can download the NFL OnePass app or visit https://nfl.com/DraftAccess to register. 

Public transportation is strongly encouraged due to high traffic. The Pittsburgh's 'T' light rail system is a great option and often runs free between Downtown and the North Shore (Acrisure Stadium location). Other transporation options include rideshare services, buses, or pre-booking garage parking in the Downtown Pittsburgh area. 

There will be parking available at Acrisure Stadium that will resemble game day parking. Parking operators will honor leases in garages that are available, though many lots on the North Shore will not be accessible. Downtown parking lots and garages will likely cost between $100 and $220 per day for a space, and some spots on the North Shore could be higher than that. JustPark and Alco Parking announced in early April a partnership for some spots priced at $87.25 per day. Pittsburgh also has various transit options, including service from Pittsburgh Regional Transit, making it easier to travel around the city.

Get the latest news and updates about Draft Weekend on Visit Pittsburgh's website or at NFL.com/draft.

Visit 511PA’s website for real-time updates on traffic conditions, including average travel times, incidents, construction, and travel speeds, along with access to public transportation maps. For live alerts, follow 511PAPittsburgh on X.

Nearby, walkable Pittsburgh attractions on the North Shore include: the Fred "Mister Rogers" Memorial, The Andy Warhol Museum, and the Moonshot Museum. A must-see spot in Pittsburgh is taking a ride up the historic Duquesne Incline up to Mount Washington to get a panoramic, picturesque view of the city and its rivers. For more of the best things to do in Pittsburgh, read our blog post. 

If you’re visiting for Draft weekend and have extra time, several charming towns and notable destinations are within a short drive of Pittsburgh, making them great day trips:

• Butler: About 45 minutes north of Pittsburgh, Butler offers small-town charm, local shops, and ties to automotive history as the birthplace of the Jeep.

• Harmony: This historic village just north of Pittsburgh is known for its beautifully preserved buildings, quaint shops, and the Harmony Museum, which highlights the town’s unique 19th-century communal history.

• Latrobe: Roughly an hour east of the city, Latrobe is famous as the birthplace of the Banana Split and home to the historic Saint Vincent Archabbey.

• Washington: Located about 40 minutes southwest of Pittsburgh, Washington features a historic downtown and the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum.

• Ohiopyle State Park: Around 1.5 hours away in the Laurel Highlands, this scenic park is known for waterfalls, hiking, and whitewater rafting along the Youghiogheny River.

Each of these destinations offer a different glimpse into western Pennsylvania—from historic villages and outdoor adventure to small-town culture—making them perfect additions to your Draft weekend itinerary.

The Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources are working with federal, state, and local partners on coordinated safety planning for the NFL Draft. Planning efforts include joint meetings, walkthroughs of event spaces, information sharing, scenario-based training, security planning, traffic management strategies, and risk assessments designed to prepare for a wide range of potential situations.

In addition, local health care systems and emergency services are increasing readiness to support the expected influx of visitors. UPMC and Allegheny Health Network, along with city emergency services, are ramping up staffing and coverage for the event days. The city’s three Level I trauma centers—UPMC Mercy, UPMC Presbyterian, and Allegheny General Hospital—are expected to have increased staffing and capacity to handle medical needs. Medical stations will also be located along the North Shore and at Point State Park, with dedicated lanes in place to help move patients and emergency personnel efficiently between event areas and hospitals

Yes. Public safety agencies, including state, local, and federal partners, will be actively working throughout the event. Law enforcement presence will support crowd management and safety across downtown Pittsburgh and other key event areas.

Visitors are encouraged to stay aware of their surroundings and report any suspicious activity to law enforcement.