Celebrations for the NFL Draft Presented by Bud Light Kick Off Thursday, April 23 in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh Takes Center Stage on Day 3 with Makers Market, Topps Takeover in Acrisure Stadium and Steelers Country Activation in Point State Park

NEW YORK — April 20, 2026 — The NFL will host an expansive lineup of activities for the 2026 NFL Draft presented by Bud Light, taking place April 23–25 in Pittsburgh. The Draft will transform the city’s North Shore and Point State Park into a free, three-day celebration of football, community and culture, bringing the next generation of NFL stars to one of the country’s most iconic football cities while celebrating Pittsburgh and the surrounding area.

“As we kick off an unforgettable week in Pittsburgh for the 2026 NFL Draft, we’re proud to be working alongside VisitPITTSBURGH, the Pittsburgh Steelers and all of our partners on the ground to create a truly memorable experience for both local and visiting fans,” said Peter O’Reilly, NFL EVP of club business, international, and league events. “The Draft is a three-day global festival of football and community, and we’re so excited to deliver a free, accessible experience that invites fans everywhere to be part of welcoming the next generation of stars into the NFL.”

Draft Theater and Main Stage

Located just outside Acrisure Stadium on Pittsburgh’s North Shore, the Draft Theater and Main Stage will be where all 32 club selections will come to life across three days. Fans will be steps away from the action, as prospects are drafted and welcomed to their new teams on the Draft Stage.

Two iconic Pittsburgh landmarks will connect the expansive Draft campus. The Roberto Clemente Bridge will close to vehicle traffic and serve as a pedestrian-only fan corridor linking the North Shore and Downtown, while the Gateway Clipper riverboats will provide transportation between Draft locations on Friday & Saturday, offering fans a uniquely Pittsburgh way to experience the event.

Draft Day 1 – Thursday, April 23

To kick off the celebrations, 17 Draft prospects will walk the NFL Draft Red Carpet presented by Toyota. The Red Carpet begins at 5 p.m. ET, with portions televised as part of ESPN’s NFL Draft coverage.

Pittsburgh-raised and jazz-trained artist KELS will perform the National Anthem. Preceding the anthem, the James Weldon Johnson Foundation’s National Hymn Choir, featuring The Heritage Gospel Chorale of Pittsburgh, will perform the hymn “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” conducted by Grammy Award-winning Dr. Jeffery Redding.

Steelers Legends and current players will join Commissioner Roger Goodell on stage to help kick off the night’s festivities and welcome fans to Pittsburgh.

On Thursday, as each prospect walks to the stage after hearing his name called on stage, a special art installation created by Pittsburgh-based mixed-metal artist Kim Fox will line the Player Walkway. Fox spent months handcrafting mixed-metal interpretations of all 32 NFL team marks, layering reclaimed wood, vintage maps, collected tins and found materials into a quiltlike pattern unique to each club with Easter eggs hidden in the pieces tied to the city.

Additionally, Pittsburgh native and pop artist Burton Morris is building a 32-piece installation for the Prospect Green Room built by Lowe’s, with each 20-by-20-inch panel mounted on a steel frame nodding to the city’s roots and finished with his signature energy lines in team colors and an authentic helmet fixed to the front.

Draft Day 2 – Friday, April 24

On the second night of the NFL Draft, the celebration continues with even more fan-centric experiences and the same high energy from the night before.

Across all three days of the NFL Draft, fans will experience a lineup of in-venue moments built to keep the energy electric. These interactive activations will feature team roll calls, t-shirt tosses, live fan cams and trivia. Fans will also have opportunities to win autographed footballs and helmets, take part in on-stage contests and enter for a chance at Super Bowl LXI tickets. Surprise guest appearances and player interviews will electrify the atmosphere, ensuring there’s never a dull moment.

As part of the Day 2 festivities, Pittsburgh natives Wiz Khalifa and Bret Michaels will perform at 5:15 p.m. ET ahead of Rounds 2 and 3 as part of the NFL Draft Entertainment Concert Series presented by Bud Light. Multi-platinum, Grammy- and Golden Globe-nominated artist Wiz Khalifa broke through with his major-label debut “Rolling Papers”, while Bret Michaels, iconic frontman of Poison, brings a multi-platinum-selling career in music spanning decades.

Draft Day 3 – Saturday, April 25

Day 3 of the Draft will put a special spotlight on Pittsburgh’s culture and community, offering a fun-filled day for families and fans. With an action-packed lineup of entertainment and local flair, this day will highlight the best the city and region have to offer.

Highlights Include: 

• Makers Market (9 a.m. – 12 p.m.): The NFL Draft Makers Market will spotlight over 14 local Pittsburgh businesses at North Shore, open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fans can shop a curated mix of homegrown brands, artisans and makers, turning Draft weekend into a celebration of the city’s local community. Businesses include Brother Andre’s Cafe, Fancy Pants Popcorn, Good L’oven Cookie Shop, Kim Fox / Worker Bird, Love Pittsburgh Shop, Mi Empanada, Michael’s Table, Pittsburgh Pottery, Pittsburgh Worsh Company, Sandy Boo Delights, Sarris Candies, Slipfast Adornments, The Picked Chef and Uncle Jammys.

• Topps Collector Celebration Day (10 a.m. – 1 p.m.): Topps is marking their return to the NFL in a big way at the NFL Draft Experience presented by American Express by taking over Acrisure Stadium with an immersive, interactive celebration of football card collecting. The event, taking place Saturday, April 25 will feature hands-on activations, live programming with athletes and NFL personalities, and plenty of opportunities to shop for cards of your favorite players and teams. Just like the NFL Draft Experience, the Topps Collector Celebration Day is a free, family-friendly event. An exclusive value box of the newly released 2025 Topps Chrome Football will be available for the first 1,000 fans through the gates.

After the Draft selections conclude on Saturday, global superstar Kane Brown will take the stage for a high-energy finale concert as part of the NFL Draft Entertainment Series presented by Bud Light. Following the success of his widely acclaimed 2025 record, “The High Road,” Kane Brown continues to build on his multi-platinum, award-winning career.

All performances will take place at the Draft Theater adjacent to Acrisure Stadium. General fan viewing is free, and fans are encouraged to arrive early, as standing room will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

NFL Draft Experience Presented by American Express

Taking place all three days of the NFL Draft from April 23–25, the NFL Draft Experience presented by American Express will be located at both the North Shore Draft campus, including on the field at Acrisure Stadium, and Point State Park, transforming one of Pittsburgh’s most historic and scenic public spaces into a vibrant hub of football, community and culture.

The NFL Draft Experience offers an exciting, immersive festival featuring interactive activations, such as the 40-yard dash, field goal kicks, catching skills challenges and more, alongside NFL Hall of Fame exhibits. Fans can meet NFL stars and Legends, including Steelers players, and capture unforgettable moments with the Vince Lombardi Trophy and all 59 Super Bowl rings. The Play 60 Zone will host NFL FLAG drills, skills challenges and football clinics for younger fans. With activities for all ages, the NFL Draft Experience is the ultimate celebration of football, culture and community.

In addition to watching from the Draft Theater footprint, Acrisure Stadium will be open to fans looking to watch the NFL Draft onscreen and experience exclusive activations inside the stadium and on the field itself.

• Steelers Country: Steelers Country at the NFL Draft Experience presented by American Express will be a 12,000-square-foot interactive space located in the heart of Pittsburgh’s Point State Park. The destination will celebrate the traditions of Steelers Nation while creating a centralized gathering place for fans to connect, engage and experience Draft weekend together.

• American Express Fan Experience: At the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, American Express will pop up with an open-to-all fan experience (capacity limitations apply). Platinum® Card Members can also make a reservation daily for a wristband to access select NFL-operated experiences and an on-site reservation to enjoy a session in the Card Member Lounge (reservations are limited). Eligible Card Members can enroll their Card in an offer valid for qualifying purchases at NFL Shop locations on-site at the NFL Draft. Terms apply.

• NFL Shop presented by American Express: As the official special event retail partner of the NFL, Fanatics is curating a robust merchandise assortment available at more than 10 locations throughout Pittsburgh’s North Shore and Point State Park. The flagship 13,000-square-foot NFL Shop tent will offer 250+ products featuring exclusive Pittsburgh-inspired collections and collabs, and Draft specific products from top brands including Nike, New Era, Mitchell & Ness and more. Fanatics is also tapping into Pittsburgh’s creative community at the 2026 NFL Draft, hosting a live art activation with local artist Jeremy Raymer, who will create one-of-one pieces from the brand’s Bridge to Greatness collection on-site for fans while supplies last. The NFL Shop is open all three days of NFL Draft Experience.

Fans can enjoy a variety of food options throughout the NFL Draft Experience, including local vendors in the Taste of Pittsburgh Presented by Heinz on the North Shore, with food vendors onsite to provide guests with a taste of Pittsburgh’s vibrant culinary scene and iconic local fare. A full list of vendors will be available in the NFL OnePass App.\

Throughout the weekend, from April 23–25, a large-scale light projection on the Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh will celebrate Pittsburgh’s football legacy and spotlight real-time draft picks nightly from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., viewable from the public viewing area at Point State Park.

Fans are encouraged to register for free entry to the NFL Draft through the NFL OnePass app or at NFL.com/DraftAccess. NFL OnePass provides up-to-date information, exclusive content and access to giveaways, including a grand prize trip for two to Super Bowl LXI in Los Angeles. Admission is on a first-come, first-served basis, and all adults must register, with the option to include up to five children.

The NFL Draft will be fully accessible to all fans. Details on mobility assistance, parking, transportation and road closures are available via the Know Before You Go information on NFL OnePass.

NFL DRAFT EXPERIENCE – HOURS OF OPERATION

All times are local and may be subject to change.

Located in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh, right next to Acrisure Stadium, the NFL Draft Theater will serve as the central hub where all 32 teams make their selections live over the three days of the Draft. The free, general admission theater viewing area spans over 250,000 square feet on the stadium’s east and northeast sides, and during the television broadcast on ABC, ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and NFL Network, crowd shots from the stage will feature the renowned Pittsburgh bridges and waterways. Attending fans can enjoy the action live, in person, on multiple screens displayed throughout general admission, or within Acrisure Stadium for a Draft watch party.

NFL DRAFT SCHEDULE

All times are local and may be subject to change.

The NFL Draft presented by Bud Light will be broadcast live on NFL Network, ABC, ESPN, ESPN Deportes and streamed on NFL+.

Limited VIP Ticket Packages for the NFL Draft are available through On Location, the Official Hospitality Provider of the NFL. Fans looking to further immerse themselves in the Draft can secure packages that combine seating in the Draft Theater with world-class service, official gifting and one-of-a-kind experiences. Visit www.OnLocationExp.com/NFLDraft to explore remaining packages.

For more information on the 2026 NFL Draft, including programming, special events and registration, fans should visit NFL.com/DraftAccess.

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