Where is the NFL Draft in 2026? Location, city, tickets and more to know for Pittsburgh

It feels like the Super Bowl just happened, but it is already time to turn the page to the next season. The NFL has gone through the start of the new league year and free agency, and the next major hurdle is the 2026 NFL Draft. 

This year's draft will be held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The NFL Draft was long held in New York, New York, with little variation in location. The event was held in the city every year from 1965 through 2014. Then, it was decided that the event could be held in other places, and, similar to the Super Bowl, which changes location each year, the NFL Draft is now held in a different city each year, provided that city has an NFL franchise. 

The decision to pick Pittsburgh as the host city was a curious one. The history is there, with the 1948 Draft taking place in the city, and the Pittsburgh Steelers are tied with the New England Patriots for the most Super Bowl wins, with six apiece. The surprise came from the fact that we have become accustomed to these impressive crowd shouts at the draft, but the 2026 Draft will take place partly outside Acrisure Stadium, where the Steelers play and partly across the Allegheny River at Point State Park. 

Here is all you need to know about the location of the 2026 NFL Draft, including how to get tickets and the announced future draft site. 

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Where is the NFL Draft in 2026?

The 2026 NFL Draft will be held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The actual draft stage will be on the North Shore area of Pittsburgh, with Acrisure Stadium serving as a backdrop. Around the stadium is a Science Center and a casino, but the whole area is expected to be closed to the public outside of attending the draft. 

There will also be draft events at Point State Park, but that is across the Allegheny River. Those hoping to catch the draft action from the Park will be out of luck. Pittsburgh is planning to broadcast the draft picks on the side of a nearby hotel, but fans will not be able to be at the park to see the draft picks walking across the stage. 

The city is preparing for an influx of 500,000 to 700,000 people for draft weekend. Numbers may fall short of that, but city officials want to be prepared. As such, and to show how big an event it will be near the stadium and across the river, for ease, the city has instructed schools that Thursday and Friday will be conducted remotely for students' safety. This could be the first time this has been done in draft history, and there is a slight concern about how chaotic the draft will be, given that it will be held in multiple locations and the space chosen. 

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NFL Draft tickets 2026

There are various events included in the week of the NFL Draft. Many of the events, including the Fan Experience, are free to attend. Fans can take pictures with the Lombardi Trophy, Super Bowl rings and play interactive games. Most of the fan events at the Pittsburgh Draft will be held at Point State Park, across the Allegheny River from the draft site. 

Per the NFL's website about the Fan Experience Event, "This FREE fan experience invites locals and visitors to participate in immersive exhibits and sponsor activations; take photos with the Steelers' Vince Lombardi Trophies; enjoy the youth-focused Play 60 Zone and participate in games and clinics on the field at Acrisure Stadium; shop exclusive merchandise at NFL Shop; and score autographs from current NFL players and Legends at the Autograph Stage. The player appearance schedule will be announced beginning April 20, 2026 and available exclusively in the NFL OnePass app." 

Draft Experience Hours

• Thursday, April 23: 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET
• Friday, April 24: 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET
• Saturday, April 25: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET

Fans wanting to be up close to the draft action can try to purchase VIP Ticket Packages, which come with on-location perks, including a seat at the draft. Fans won't be able to sit in the team pods featured on television, as those seats are specifically reserved for the broadcast. The VIP packages do include behind-the-scenes tours and more, per the NFL's website. 

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Future NFL Draft locations 

2027 NFL Draft: Washington D.C. 

The NFL Draft will be heading to the nation's capital in 2027. There are events scheduled across the city, including on the National Mall and Pennsylvania Avenue. Given how big a sports fan the current President is, there is also a slim chance that he makes an appearance at the draft, or maybe even becomes the first to ever make a draft pick. 

This would be the second time the city ever hosted the annual event, joining only the 1941 NFL Draft, which was held at the Willard Hotel. 

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