Pittsburgh will take center stage this week to host the 2026 NFL Draft.
This week's draft could represent Pittsburgh's largest tourist event ever. Over 600,000 people attended last year's three-day event in Green Bay, more than doubling pre-draft estimations.
As NFL teams crystallize their draft boards, Pittsburgh is preparing the finishing touches on the draft setup. NFL employee Brian McCarthy shared a photo of the NFL Draft Theater on Tuesday morning:
Pittsburgh's draft spotlight
Alongside the main stage outside of Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh will also set up shop at the Point State Park downtown. Steelers vice president of business development and strategy Dan Rooney III is excited to show off the city to a vast audience.
"Football fans from around the world will see how Pittsburgh’s iconic landscape creates a natural amphitheater, providing the perfect setting for this world-class celebration of football – all in the heart of Western Pennsylvania – a region that holds a unique place in the history of the game," Rooney said when Pittsburgh released official renderings for the draft.
VisitPITTSBURGH President and CEO Jerad Bachar also discussed the significance of Pittsburgh's draft presentation.
"The layout of the 2026 NFL Draft campus is intentionally designed to celebrate Pittsburgh’s sense of place," Bachar said. "From the North Shore to Point State Park, across the Roberto Clemente Bridge and along the rivers, this Draft will showcase our city’s character, connectivity, and hospitality in a way only Pittsburgh can."
NFL Draft Preview
© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
Fans won't hold their breath in anticipation of the first pick, as the Las Vegas Raiders are widely expected to select Fernando Mendoza. Unfortunately for the hosting team, the 2026 class isn't loaded with other marquee quarterback prospects.
The Steelers are still waiting for Aaron Rodgers to decide if he's returning, but they're not likely to snag a contingency plan at No. 21. Ty Simpson is the only other signal-caller with a realistic chance of hearing his name called on Thursday night.
ESPN's Jordan Reid has the Steelers taking Texas A&M's KC Concpecion in the first round as the fifth wide receiver off the board. The opening round could otherwise be heavy on edge rushers and offensive tackles, led by Ohio State's Arvell Reese and Miami's Francis Mauigoa.
The draft starts Thursday at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN and the NFL Network.
