NFL draft 2026: How to watch on TV, parking in Pittsburgh, transit, schedule, when Steelers pick, more
The 2026 NFL Draft is coming to Pittsburgh for the first time, allowing fans to see where the league’s top prospects end up in person next month.
Here’s information on how to watch or attend the draft on the North Shore.
The 2026 NFL Draft will be broadcast live on NFL Network, NFL+, ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes.
Day 1 begins at 8 p.m. ET Thursday, April 23. Over the next two days, Rounds 2-7 will be available on the same platforms.
- Thursday, April 23: Round 1, 8 p.m. ET
- Friday, April 24: Rounds 2-3, 7 p.m. ET
- Saturday, April 25: Rounds 4-7, noon ET
Register to attend the 2026 NFL Draft by downloading the NFL OnePass app or at NFL.com/DraftAccess. All adults must register, and can also register up to five children to get into the event.
The 2026 NFL Draft Experience, a fan festival, will take place concurrently with the draft at the North Shore, including Acrisure Stadium and Point State Park. The fan experience is free and “invites locals and visitors to participate in immersive exhibits and sponsor activations,” per NFL.com.
Seating is only available to invited ticket holders at the draft theater, but as seats open up, other fans will have the opportunity to be selected for standing room and other seating depending on availability, usually for Friday and Saturday only.
Download the NFL OnePass app to access all event information for the 2026 NFL Draft. NFL OnePass is required to participate in any interactive games on site. Download the app on the Apple App Store or get it on Google Play.
For any other information, visit NFL.com/draft/event-info/faq.
The NFL Draft Experience will feature interactive games, photo exhibits including the Vince Lombardi Trophy, free player autograph sessions and more. Check out a map of the event and a full list of the attractions in the NFL OnePass app.
NFL Draft Experience is open:
- April 23: noon-10 p.m. ET
- April 24: noon-10 p.m. ET
- April 25: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. ET
VisitPittsburgh recommends parking in Downtown or Station Square garages and using the “T” or the Gateway Clipper to reach the North Shore.
For those who prefer not to drive, all fares on the “T” and the Monongahela Incline will be free April 23-25. Pittsburgh Regional Transit will also operate four “Football Flyer” bus routes, which offer a park-and-ride experience, starting at major suburban lots and traveling directly to the draft campus.
For $25, get unlimited rides on all PRT buses, the “T” and the inclines. Download the Ready2Ride app to purchase the pass starting April 1.
Here is how you can catch the “Football Flyer”:
- 99N (North): Starts at the McCandless Park and Ride, travels to the Ross Park and Ride and uses the HOV lanes on I-279 for a quick trip into the city.
- 99E (East): Starts at Monroeville Mall and serves every station along the East Busway.
- 99S (South): Starts at the Large Park and Ride and serves every station along the South Busway.
- 99W (West): Starts at the University Boulevard Park and Ride and serves every stop along the West Busway, including connections to the Duquesne and Monongahela Inclines.
All four “Football Flyers” will drop off and pick up passengers near Point State Park in Downtown and near PNC Park on the North Shore.
The Las Vegas Raiders own the first overall choice in the 2026 NFL Draft.
In essentially every projection, the Raiders are predicted to take Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
The Pittsburgh Steelers will pick No. 21 overall. They’ve been connected to a handful of receivers, along with Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson and Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane.
