The 2026 NFL Draft has been awarded to the Steel City, as announced by the NFL on Wednesday. Pittsburgh Steelers will host the event in 2026, marking a significant occasion for the city. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell expressed excitement about partnering with the Steelers and VisitPITTSBURGH for the highly-anticipated event. He emphasized the opportunity to showcase Pittsburgh on a global scale, benefiting the local economy and entertaining football fans worldwide.
Pittsburgh last hosted the draft in 1948, which was a drastically different event compared to today’s spectacle with hundreds of thousands of fans in attendance. The Steelers had applied to host the draft in either 2026 or 2027, with Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro highlighting the significance of hosting the event in 2026 alongside the state’s celebration of the United States’ 250th birthday. The 2026 draft coincides with other major sporting events in Pennsylvania, including the MLB All-Star Game, PGA Championship, NCAA men’s basketball tournament, and the FIFA World Cup in Philadelphia.
Steelers president and owner Art Rooney II expressed excitement about hosting the biggest visitor event in the city’s history. With thousands of fans expected to flock to Pittsburgh from all NFL cities within a 500-mile radius, the event is anticipated to be a grand celebration of football. Reports indicated that 10 teams were interested in hosting the 2026 draft, showcasing the league’s popularity and appeal.
The current year’s draft was hosted by the Detroit Lions, breaking attendance records with over 700,000 fans participating in the weekend-long event. The NFL has also announced the location for the 2025 draft, which will take place at Green Bay’s Lambeau Field and Titletown district from April 24–26, 2025. This succession of draft events highlights the league’s commitment to engaging fans and communities across the country.