With more than 500,000 people expected to be in Pittsburgh for the 2026 NFL Draft April 23 to 26, transportation and parking aren’t anticipated to be easy.

Here’s what to expect, where you could hitch a ride and where to go in case of an emergency.

The Butler Transit Authority will offer transportation from its Route 528 Park and Ride at 150 Lindsay Road in Jackson Township to the Ross Park and Ride, where riders will switch to a Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus.

The roundtrip fare is $10 per day April 23 to 25 on a first-come, first-served basis. Exact cash fare is required. Riders should keep their pass for the entire day.

Buses will leave from the Route 528 Park and Ride every 30 minutes. The bus is Americans with Disabilities Act compliant and can seat 46 to 54 passengers. Standing room is not permitted.

PRT riders from the Butler bus may get off in Pittsburgh at Logan Street and Center Avenue near PPG Paints Arena, Stanwix Street at Penn Avenue Place near Point State Park, Federal Street at West General Robinson Street in the North Shore, or PRTX Stations at Ross Street, William Penn Place and Market Street.

When returning, Butler Transit passengers should board buses displaying the sign “99N McCandless — Ross Park & Ride Football Flyer.”

In addition to its standard weekday and weekend routes, PRT will operate four “football flyer” routes from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. April 23 to 25. The routes will take draftgoers from various park and rides to Point State Park downtown and PNC Park on the North Shore.

Buses will leave along the routes every 15 minutes April 23 and 24 and every 30 minutes April 25.

Route 99N starts at the McCandless Park and Ride and travels to Ross Park and Ride before boarding the HOV lane on Interstate 279. Route 99E begins at the Monroeville Mall, 99S begins at the Large Park and Ride, and 99W begins at the University Boulevard Park and Ride. All buses will serve each stop along the route.

Standard fares or a $25 draft pass that covers the weekend apply to all routes.

Thanks to Sheetz, all fares for the Light Rail (T) and Monongahela Incline will be free draft weekend. The Red and Blue lines will run every 15 minutes from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. from a list of both paid and free park-and-ride lots.

The Silver line can be taken to the Washington Junction for transfer to the Red and Blue lines that will take riders downtown and to the North Side.

However, the Allegheny Station will be closed. VisitPittsburgh recommends using the North Side Station instead.

The Monongahela Incline will operate every 15 minutes from 5:30 a.m. to 12:45 a.m.

Several roads have already been closed leading up to draft weekend. The following will be closed April 23 through 25:

Pittsburgh City Council, anticipating more than 500,000 visitors, increased parking rates in the North Shore and downtown to $5 per hour.

The rate will apply from 12:01 a.m. April 22 to 12:01 a.m. April 27. In the North Side, the restrictions do not apply to East Ohio, Middle and James streets and California and Perrysville avenues.

Violating parking restrictions could result in a $120 fine.

Pittsburgh Public Schools is also leasing parking spots at its buildings downtown and in the North Shore through ParkWhiz.com. According to the website, parking in the North Shore is already sold out for April 23.

Some spots remain available downtown for under $100.

For April 24, several lots remain available in the North Shore for between $121 and $224, and for less downtown.

Rivers Casino in the North Shore is offering a four-day parking package for $500 or $250 per day.

Real-time availability can be tracked on the ParkPGH app.

The state Fish and Boat Commission and United States Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Pittsburgh will close parts of the three rivers during draft weekend.

The Ohio River will be closed from mile marker 0, located at the “point” of Point State Park, to mile marker 0.5 near Rivers Casino. The Allegheny River will be closed to mile marker 0.6 at the Roberto Clemente Bridge, and the Monongahela River will be closed to mile marker 0.3 at the Fort Pitt Bridge.

The NFL will enforce its clear bag policy and allow small purses and clutch bags into the draft experience. Clear bags may be no larger than 12-inches-by-6-inches-by-12 inches

Strollers and baby carriages are permitted, but bags and blankets must be removed and screened. Small cameras and binoculars are also permitted, but professional equipment may only be brought in by credentialed media.

Outside food and beverage is not permitted. However, empty reusable water bottles may be carried through security.

Outside food may be brought in only by attendees with medical dietary restrictions.

The draft experience is a cash-free event, according to the NFL.

Both Pittsburgh officials and state Attorney General Dave Sunday have warned of an increased police and EMS presence throughout the draft. Despite attendees being encouraged to enjoy themselves, Sunday recognized in a Tuesday, April 14, news release the draft could create opportunities for bad actors.

“To the bad actors will ill intentions who think they can blend into the crowds and prey on unsuspecting visitors — think twice, we will be watching,” Sunday said.

Anyone who suspects human trafficking should call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 888-373-7888 or text 233733.

Sunday added drug traffickers and scammers may also be looking for a profit, and consumers should shop only at trusted retailers, avoid deals that “seem too good to be true,” check for poor quality when buying merchandise and monitor banking activity.

Both Allegheny Health Network and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center plan to operate mobile clinics.

Closest to the draft, AHN Prehospital Care and Allegheny General Hospital nurses will staff a medical fort near Acrisure Stadium and will be in frequent contact with EMS in the area. A command center will operate at Nova Place to manage patient flow.

“As a Level 1 trauma center, AGH is concurrently prepared to treat an influx of patients throughout the event,” according to a March 30 news release.

The AHN Mobile Clinic will be stationed downtown in Market Square for first aid and minor injuries.

AHN Downtown Express Care will also be open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. at Penn Avenue Place.

UPMC will have medical tents set up near the draft theater, in Point State Park and in Market Square.