Fan Registration Opens for 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh

-Editorial 

Fans can now register for free entry to the 2026 NFL Draft presented by Bud Light, set for April 23–25 in Pittsburgh. Registration is available through the NFL OnePass app or at NFL.com/DraftAccess, providing access to a three-day celebration that will span the city’s North Shore and Point State Park. Organizers said the event aims to combine football, community, and culture in downtown Pittsburgh.

“The NFL Draft is a massive annual celebration of football and community, and Pittsburgh provides a spectacular stage to welcome residents and fans from all over the world,” said Peter O’Reilly, executive vice president of club business, international and league events. “By connecting iconic locations in the heart of the city, we’re creating an accessible, free experience that reflects Pittsburgh’s creativity, imagination, and grit, and invites all fans to be there live as the next generation of the NFL takes the stage.”

In partnership with VisitPITTSBURGH and the Pittsburgh Steelers, the league plans an expansive draft campus highlighting the city’s landmarks, rivers, and skyline while offering immersive fan experiences for all ages.

The Draft Theater and main stage will be located outside Acrisure Stadium on the North Shore, where all 32 NFL teams will make their selections over three days. Fans attending the event will be steps away from the action as prospects hear their names called. Organizers said the city’s bridges and rivers will provide a scenic backdrop for live broadcasts.

Two iconic Pittsburgh sites will help connect the draft campus. The Roberto Clemente Bridge will close to vehicles and serve as a pedestrian corridor linking the North Shore and downtown. Meanwhile, the Gateway Clipper Fleet will provide riverboat transportation between event locations, offering a unique way to experience the city’s waterways.

The NFL Draft Experience, the league’s interactive fan festival, will take place both at the North Shore and at Point State Park. Attendees can participate in interactive exhibits, sponsor activations, youth football clinics, and NFL FLAG drills. Fans will also have the opportunity to meet current NFL players and Legends, take photos with the Vince Lombardi Trophy and Super Bowl rings, and shop exclusive NFL merchandise.

A designated “Steelers Country” area will serve as the official fan hub at Point State Park, celebrating Pittsburgh Steelers traditions and providing a space for fans to gather during the draft weekend. Acrisure Stadium will also open select areas to fans for on-field activities and draft viewing opportunities.

The NFL OnePass app is the primary tool for navigating draft weekend, providing real-time updates, schedules of activities, Know-Before-You-Go information, and access to exclusive content and prizes, including a grand prize trip for two to Super Bowl LXI in Los Angeles.

The NFL Draft Experience is scheduled from noon to 10 p.m. Thursday, April 23, and Friday, April 24, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 25. All times are local and may change. The event will feature the NFL Draft Entertainment Series presented by Bud Light, with live performances at the Draft Theater, free to fans on a first-come, first-served basis. Headlining acts will be announced in the coming weeks.

The 2026 NFL Draft will be broadcast live on NFL Network, ABC, ESPN, and ESPN Deportes, and streamed on NFL+. Round 1 begins Thursday, April 23, followed by Rounds 2–3 on Friday, April 24, and Rounds 4–7 on Saturday, April 25. The league said additional information regarding mobility assistance, parking, transportation, and road closures will be provided in the weeks leading up to the event.