Pittsburgh mayor predicts over 1M will attend 2026 NFL draft in his city

PITTSBURGH — Wearing a Pittsburgh Steelers cap, Gov. Josh Shapiro joined team and local officials inside Acrisure Stadium on Thursday to celebrate the NFL draft coming to the City of Champions in 2026.

“Pittsburgh is the absolute best choice to host the NFL draft,” said Shapiro, who promised that the state is prepared to invest in nearby Point State Park, across the Allegheny River from Acrisure, to make sure it is ready to host draft-related events.

“This is going to be a huge regional event and Allegheny County is all in,” Shapiro said.

The governor said the draft will occur during the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the birth of the United States in Philadelphia.

In 2026, Shapiro said Pennsylvania will host World Cup matches, an MLB All-Star game in Philadelphia, March Madness games, the PGA Championship in Delaware County and now the NFL draft in Pittsburgh.

“This couldn’t happen at a more important time for our nation and, dare I say, a more important time for the city of Pittsburgh. This is a city and an organization on the rise,” Shapiro said. “We are showing that we can do big things in Pittsburgh and all across Pennsylvania, and I, for one, can’t wait to see the commissioner stand up and announce the final pick of the first round in the 2026 NFL draft going to the Pittsburgh Steelers after they win the Super Bowl the year before.”

Officials touted the anticipated economic boon to the city and county with Pittsburgh a day’s drive from over 10 other NFL cities and 35 Division I colleges.

Jerad Bachar, president and CEO of VisitPittsburgh, said that the draft, based on previous ones, could have an economic impact between $120 million and $165 million, much of it spent at businesses such as hotels, bars and restaurants.

“We anticipate an incredible turnout for Draft Pittsburgh,” he said.

The NFL draft has become a marquee three-day event for the league as it travels around the country drawing enormous crowds to downtown areas.

An estimated 775,000 people attended this year’s draft in April in Detroit, besting the record of 600,000 set in 2019 in Nashville. In 2017, Philadelphia hosted the draft, which drew about 250,000.

“This is going to do even better,” said Shapiro, noting that Pennsylvania will become the first state to host two NFL drafts.

Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey was bolder in his predictions, though.

“Everybody wants to talk about numbers. Here’s my number, I predict we have over a million people come to our city,” he said.

Gainey said that fans will be drawn by legendary Steelers moments such as Franco Harris’ Immaculate Reception, Lynn Swann’s “acrobatic catch” against the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl X and James Harrison’s 100-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII.

“We have so many memories that no matter what city you go to, no matter where you’re at, one thing you will find is a Steelers bar or restaurant,” said Gainey, his voice rising as if he were giving a Sunday morning sermon.

“People remember the old times that they had to leave because of the closing of the steel mills,” he said. “Now they get to bring back their grandkids and their kids so that they can see what special place raised them up, and regardless of where they lived, why they still call our beloved city home.

Art Rooney II, the Steelers owner and president, said the 2026 draft festivities will include the main stage in the area just outside the second-floor windows of Acrisure Stadium where Thursday’s news conference was held.

Besides events on the city’s North Side where the stadium sits, Rooney has also said that there will be activities planned for Point State Park, where the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers meet to form the Ohio River, as well as Downtown Pittsburgh, the Central Business District and the Strip District, an entertainment and eating destination.

“A lot of hard work went into getting to this day,” said Rooney, who added that the draft will serve as a showcase for western Pennsylvania’s deep ties to football and the many stars, including Mike Ditka, Tony Dorsett, Dan Marino, Johnny Unitas and Joe Montana to name a few, that the region has produced.

Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato said a $1.5 billion modernization project for Pittsburgh International Airport, including a new terminal, will greet visitors who should take advantage of the city’s “cultural assets” and “award-winning” food scene.

“I’m excited that people from all over will have the opportunity to truly gawk at our six Lombardi trophies and also experience our neighborliness,” she said.