The NFL has awarded the 2026 draft to Pittsburgh, with the Steelers poised to capitalize on Pennsylvania’s rich football tradition and meet the new standard for host cities.
League officials announced the decision on Wednesday during the NFL spring meetings. Pittsburgh was chosen after owners reviewed the bid along with the advisory committee. The three-day draft will take place at Point State Park and Acrisure Stadium, home of the Steelers.
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The 2024 draft in Detroit set a record with over 775,000 fans in attendance, and Green Bay will host the 2025 draft at Lambeau Field on April 24-26.
Pittsburgh owner Art Rooney II praised Detroit and Kansas City for setting a high bar for hosting the NFL event. He expressed the Steelers’ excitement to continue that tradition, drawing from the state’s football roots that produced legends like Mike Ditka, Dan Marino, and Joe Montana.
Rooney said, “We anticipate it being the largest visitor event in Pittsburgh’s history, attracting hundreds of thousands of football fans nationwide. We look forward to welcoming Steelers fans from across the country for this special occasion.”
Since 2015, the NFL has rotated the draft location across the country, starting in Chicago after being held in New York from 1965 to 2014. Pittsburgh will now join the list following previous hosts like Philadelphia, Dallas, Nashville, Cleveland, Las Vegas, and Kansas City.
The Steelers and their players, like Pittsburgh native long snapper Christian Kunitz and tight end Pat Freiermuth, are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to host the NFL draft in their city. They believe it will not only benefit Pittsburgh but also provide a great experience for fans from around the world.
