By the numbers: NFL draft
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
A pair of Steelers fans from New Jersey visited the NFL draft. Photo: Chrissy Suttles/Axios
Visit Pittsburgh released a slew of statistics about the city hosting the draft over three days in late April.
The intrigue: Pittsburgh broke attendance records for the NFL draft, but the numbers go beyond that.
Global reach: People from 105 countries registered for the draft through NFL OnePass.
- 43% of attendees traveled from more than 50 miles to Pittsburgh.
- More than 55 million viewers watched on TV and streaming.
Hotels: 92% peak hotel occupancy Downtown across the three days of the draft.
- 85% peak hotel occupancy across Allegheny County
Clipper records: The Gateway Clipper boats carried 26,500 passengers — a record — across 74 total trips over two days of service.
Steelers nation: 65% of attendees were Steelers fans.
- 45,000 fans visited the Steelers Country exhibit and bar at Point State Park.
- Pittsburgh Regional Transit rides were up 51% compared to a typical Thursday-Saturday stretch.
Public safety: Pittsburgh police conducted just two arrests and one citation at the draft.
- There were 229 EMS calls and 45 hospital transports.
Community service: Nearly 60,000 pounds of food were redistributed to 15 Pittsburgh nonprofits.
- 800 trees were planted across the region.
- 400 hanging flower baskets were installed in Downtown and on Sister Bridges.
- The construction of two townhomes in Larimer was supported by the draft.
- More than $1 million was raised through the Taste of the Draft event to fight hunger in Western Pennsylvania.
Follow the money: Over $17 million was spent directly at Pittsburgh-based businesses.
- More than a dozen local vendors in the draft campus earned $500,000 in revenue combined.
- Yes, but: Many local businesses outside the draft area reported lower than normal sales.
What we're watching: The full economic impact numbers for the draft have yet to be released.