The 2026 NFL Draft takes place from 23 to 25 April in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with the main stage and Draft Theater located on the North Shore outside Acrisure Stadium. The Las Vegas Raiders hold the first overall pick, with Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza widely projected as the top selection. Admission to the draft is free, and organisers expect between 500,000 and 700,000 fans across the three-day event.
What to Expect
This is the 91st annual NFL Draft and the first to be held in Pittsburgh since 1948. The event has become one of the biggest spectacles on the American sporting calendar since moving to a travelling format in 2015, drawing record crowds of 775,000 in Detroit in 2024. Pittsburgh’s North Shore provides a dramatic backdrop, with the Draft Theater set against the city’s iconic riverfront skyline and the home of the six-time Super Bowl champion Steelers.
The Raiders, who finished 3-14 and secured the first overall pick, are expected to address their quarterback situation. Fernando Mendoza, the Indiana signal-caller praised for his accuracy and size, is the consensus top prospect. Ohio State features prominently in the first round with linebacker Arvell Reese and wide receiver Carnell Tate among the projected top-ten picks. Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love and Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa are also expected to hear their names called early. Several teams, including the Falcons, Packers, Jaguars, and Colts, have traded away their first-round selections.
The NFL Draft Experience, a free fan festival at Point State Park in downtown Pittsburgh, will feature interactive exhibits, autograph sessions, and activities for all ages. Registration is available through the NFL OnePass app or at NFL.com/DraftAccess.
How to Watch
Round 1 begins at 8:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, 23 April, with Rounds 2-3 following on Friday at 7:00 p.m. ET. Rounds 4-7 take place on Saturday. In the United States, coverage airs live on ESPN, ABC, ESPN2, and NFL Network, with streaming available on ESPN+, NFL+, Disney+, Hulu, and YouTube TV. Spanish-language coverage is provided by ESPN Deportes. International viewers can access the draft via NFL Game Pass on DAZN. In the United Kingdom, Sky Sports NFL carries live coverage of all three days.
Venue and Tickets
The Draft Theater is situated on Pittsburgh’s North Shore, adjacent to Acrisure Stadium (home of the Pittsburgh Steelers), with the NFL Draft Experience spread across Point State Park downtown. Admission to both areas is free, though advance registration is required via the NFL OnePass app. Pittsburgh is well served by Pittsburgh International Airport and has extensive hotel accommodation across the city centre and North Shore. The event is expected to generate significant economic impact for the region, following in the footsteps of record-breaking drafts in Detroit and Nashville.