Pittsburgh is hosting the 2026 NFL Draft, and it's expected to be the biggest event in the city's history.
"In just 13 short months, we will welcome between 500,000 to 700,000 visitors to the shores of Downtown Pittsburgh," Jerad Bachar of VisitPittsburgh said this week.
The draft has become the marquee event of the NFL offseason, and one of the league's biggest events throughout the year, even in competition with the Super Bowl.
Throughout the three-day event, Pittsburgh will host a slate of draft activities including a variety of community events and a concert series. The whole experience downtown will be free for fans, in which they can participate in different exhibits and games, take photos with the Vince Lombardi Trophy and score autographs from current and former NFL players.
Exact logistics of the event have yet to be announced. However, it is known draft festivities will incorporate elements of Acrisure Stadium and Point State Park, with the stage being placed on the outskirts of the Steelers' home stadium, and additional draft events will also be hosted in Downtown and the Strip District over the course of draft weekend.
Last year, Detroit hosted 775,000 people for the NFL Draft, breaking the record of 600,000 by Nashville in 2019.
THE ASYLUM
Massive attendance expected for 2026 draft
Pittsburgh is hosting the 2026 NFL Draft, and it's expected to be the biggest event in the city's history.
"In just 13 short months, we will welcome between 500,000 to 700,000 visitors to the shores of Downtown Pittsburgh," Jerad Bachar of VisitPittsburgh said this week.
The draft has become the marquee event of the NFL offseason, and one of the league's biggest events throughout the year, even in competition with the Super Bowl.
Throughout the three-day event, Pittsburgh will host a slate of draft activities including a variety of community events and a concert series. The whole experience downtown will be free for fans, in which they can participate in different exhibits and games, take photos with the Vince Lombardi Trophy and score autographs from current and former NFL players.
Exact logistics of the event have yet to be announced. However, it is known draft festivities will incorporate elements of Acrisure Stadium and Point State Park, with the stage being placed on the outskirts of the Steelers' home stadium, and additional draft events will also be hosted in Downtown and the Strip District over the course of draft weekend.
Last year, Detroit hosted 775,000 people for the NFL Draft, breaking the record of 600,000 by Nashville in 2019.
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