The 2026 NFL Draft has been awarded to the Steel City.
On Wednesday, the NFL announced that the Pittsburgh Steelers will host the 2026 NFL Draft.
“The NFL Draft is one of the biggest and most anticipated sporting events of the year, and we are thrilled to partner with the Pittsburgh Steelers and VisitPITTSBURGH for our 2026 event,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. “We have a unique opportunity to highlight this wonderful community on the global stage, benefiting Pittsburgh’s economy and entertaining football fans in every market. We know this Pennsylvania pride will shine through in 2026.”
Pittsburgh last hosted the draft in 1948, when it took place at the Fort Pitt Hotel and was not attended by hundreds of thousands of fans.
The Steelers submitted an application to host the project in February for 2026 or 2027. Governor of Pennsylvania Josh Shapiro said Holding the event in 2026 would fit in with the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States in the state.
It will also take place in the state in 2026, to coincide with the United States Semiquincentennial, the MLB All-Star Game, the PGA Championship, the NCAA men’s basketball tournament and the FIFA World Cup. It will all take place in Philadelphia, while the golf tournament will take place nearby at Aronimink Golf Club.
“I think it would probably be the biggest visitor event in the city’s history. And it’s very exciting.” Steelers president and owner Art Rooney II said in February. We think that where Pittsburgh is located, not only will we have thousands of Steeler fans, but we will have thousands of fans from every NFL city that is within 500 miles of Pittsburgh.”
There were supposedly 10 teams interested in getting the 2026 draft.
This year’s draft was hosted by the Detroit Lions and broke the draft attendance record, with more than 700,000 fans tuning in throughout the weekend.
The NFL will bring the 2025 draft to Lambeau Field and the Titletown District in Green Bay on April 24-26, 2025.
