Jan 23, 2025 - Sports

NFL announces dates for 2026 draft in Pittsburgh

Ryan Deto

Steelers fan cheering during he game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium on January 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, P — Steelers fans are ready to show the NFL how to host a draft. Photo: Shelley Lipton/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The NFL and VisitPittsburgh on Thursday announced dates for the 2026 NFL Draft, which will take place in the Steel City.

Why it matters: The NFL Draft has attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors to its host cities over the years, and Pittsburgh is hoping it will inject energy and tourism dollars into its struggling Downtown.

Driving the news: Pittsburgh will host the draft April 23-25, 2026.

Details are not set, but Downtown's Point State Park and Acrisure Stadium on the North Shore are expected to host events, according to VisitPittsburgh.

Zoom out: The 2024 NFL Draft attracted 775,000 visitors to Detroit, was watched by 50 million viewers worldwide, and generated $213 million in economic impact for the city, according to VisitPittsburgh.

State of play: Boosters hope that a series of upgrades underway across the city will help showcase Pittsburgh in its brightest light.

A $1.57 billion upgrade to Pittsburgh International Airport is set to open in the fall.
Downtown is receiving $600 million in public and private money to spruce up the business district, including refurbishing Point State Park ahead of the draft.

What they're saying: "Pittsburgh has always been a center of economic growth and opportunity in Pennsylvania, and it is a centerpiece for our growing tourism industry here," Gov. Josh Shapiro said.

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NFL announces dates for 2026 draft in Pittsburgh

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