PITTSBURGH TO HOST 2026 NFL DRAFT
The NFL announced that the 2026 NFL Draft will take place in Pittsburgh, incorporating elements of the iconic Point State Park as well as Acrisure Stadium, home of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The announcement was made at the NFL Spring League Meeting in Nashville, following a review of Pittsburgh’s bid proposal by the Fan Engagement & Major Events Advisory Committee and full ownership.
“The NFL Draft is one of the biggest, most-anticipated sporting events of the year, and we’re thrilled to partner with the Pittsburgh Steelers and VisitPITTSBURGH for our 2026 event,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “We have a unique opportunity to spotlight this wonderful community on a global stage, benefiting Pittsburgh’s economy and entertaining football fans from all markets. We know this pride of Pennsylvania will shine bright in 2026.”
Throughout the three-day event, Pittsburgh will host a slate of Draft activities including a variety of community events, Concert Series and NFL Draft Experience – the NFL’s ultimate fan festival. Draft Experience will be free for fans, inviting them to participate in immersive exhibits and games, take photos with the Vince Lombardi Trophy, enjoy the youth-focused Play 60 Zone, shop exclusive merchandise at NFL Shop presented by Visa, and score autographs from current NFL players and Legends.
“We are excited that the City of Pittsburgh has been selected to host the 2026 NFL Draft,” said Art Rooney II, Pittsburgh Steelers President. “This will be an amazing event that will highlight everything the region has to offer on a national and international level. I truly appreciate the work that has been done by VisitPITTSBURGH, the NFL, local and state officials and internally within our organization to accomplish our goal of being selected to host the NFL Draft. We look forward to football fans from across the country coming to enjoy our city’s culture while also showcasing our rich football history and tradition in the region.”
The NFL Draft has become the league’s biggest offseason event. Since 2015, more than 3 million fans across the country have attended Draft festivities in person.
Most recently, the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit attracted a record-breaking 775,000 fans in person and garnered more than 53.6 million total viewers over three days.
The 2025 NFL Draft will take place in Green Bay on April 24-26, 2025.
NFL DRAFT LOCATION HISTORY
| Draft | Location | City |
| 1936 | Ritz-Carlton | Philadelphia |
| 1937 | Hotel Lincoln | New York |
| 1938 | Hotel Sherman | Chicago |
| 1939 | Hotel New Yorker | New York |
| 1940 | Schroeder Hotel | Milwaukee |
| 1941 | Willard Hotel | Washington, D.C. |
| 1942-44 | Palmer House | Chicago |
| 1945-47 | Hotel Commodore | New York |
| 1948 | Hotel Fort Pitt | Pittsburgh |
| 1949-50 | Bellevue-Stratford Hotel | Philadelphia |
| 1951 | Blackstone Hotel | Chicago |
| 1952 | Hotel Statler | New York |
| 1953-54 | Bellevue-Stratford Hotel | Philadelphia |
| 1955 | Warwick Hotel | New York |
| 1956 | Bellevue-Stratford Hotel (Rounds 1-3) | Philadelphia |
| | Ambassador Hotel (Rounds 4-30) | Los Angeles |
| 1957 | Warwick Hotel (Rounds 1-4) | Philadelphia |
| | Bellevue-Stratford Hotel (Rounds 5-30) | Philadelphia |
| 1958-61 | Warwick Hotel | Philadelphia |
| 1962-64 | Sheraton Hotel | Chicago |
| 1965-66 | Summit Hotel | New York |
| 1967 | Hotel Gotham | New York |
| 1968-71 | Belmont Plaza Hotel | New York |
| 1972 | Essex House | New York |
| 1973-74 | Americana Hotel | New York |
| 1975 | Hilton Hotel | New York |
| 1976-78 | Roosevelt Hotel | New York |
| 1979 | Waldorf | New York |
| 1980-83 | Sheraton Hotel | New York |
| 1984-85 | Omni Park Central Hotel | New York |
| 1986-94 | Marriott Marquis | New York |
| 1995-2004 | Theatre at Madison Square Garden | New York |
| 2005 | Jacob Javits Convention Center | New York |
| 2006-2014 | Radio City Music Hall | New York |
| 2015-16 | Auditorium Theatre at Roosevelt University / Grant Park | Chicago |
| 2017 | Benjamin Franklin Parkway | Philadelphia |
| 2018 | AT&T Stadium | Dallas |
| 2019 | Downtown Nashville | Nashville |
| 2020 | Remote | Remote |
| 2021 | Downtown Cleveland | Cleveland |
| 2022 | Las Vegas Strip & Caesars Forum | Las Vegas |
| 2023 | Downtown Kansas City | Kansas City |
| 2024 | Downtown Detroit | Detroit |
| 2025 | Lambeau Field and Titletown | Green Bay |
| 2026 | Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh |
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Author: David Keech
David Keech is a retired teacher and works as a sportswriter, sports official and as an educational consultant. He has reported on amateur sports since 2011, known as 'KeechDaVoice.' David can be reached at [email protected]
