• Loading stock data...
Sunday, June 22, 2025

NFL Draft: Pittsburgh Will Host in ’26, Denver Makes Its Case for ’27

  • The Steelers predict the upcoming draft will be the ‘largest visitor event in the history of Pittsburgh.’
  • The event’s recent success in Detroit raises the bar for a city of Pittsburgh still in civic transition.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Steel City is getting its turn with the NFL draft, but it is now facing an ever-rising bar to maintain the accelerating momentum of the league showcase. 

During spring meetings held in Nashville, the NFL selected Pittsburgh to host the 2026 draft, with the Steelers and city officials successfully bidding for the league’s second-biggest single event after the Super Bowl. The selection, while expected, maintains a recent run of chosen sites in Midwest and Rust Belt cities that otherwise would not be eligible to host a Super Bowl. 

The runaway success of Detroit, however, presents a heightened challenge to Pittsburgh. The Motor City drew a league-record attendance of 775,000 for this year’s draft, and the event helped amplify a narrative of an ongoing recovery for a city long challenged in both its local economy and pro sports. Thanks in part to a growing technology sector, Pittsburgh’s civic rebirth is arguably further along than what’s happening in Detroit. But the recent event in Michigan still has set a new standard for both Pittsburgh and next year’s draft in Green Bay. 

“Obviously, the bar has been set very high lately with some great efforts by Detroit and Kansas City, most recently hosting the draft, and I’m sure Green Bay will be great as well,” said Steelers owner Art Rooney II. “We’re looking forward to following in that tradition.”

Pittsburgh has hosted numerous major sports events over the years, including the 1994 and 2006 MLB All-Star Games, ’11 NHL Winter Classic, multiple rounds of March Madness in both men’s and women’s college basketball, and a litany of NFL and NHL playoff games. But all those are likely to be surpassed by the forthcoming attendance for the NFL draft, at least if the recent iterations are any indication.

“We think it will be the largest visitor event in the history of Pittsburgh,” Rooney said. “We think Steeler Nation from around the country will come for the event.”

The turnout will certainly top the one other time the city hosted the draft, back in December 1947, when it was held in a hotel, and had none of the fan-facing components central to the event today. 

Up Next 

The exact layout of the entire draft footprint in Pittsburgh is still being finalized. But in addition to a planned main stage along the North Shore, near Acrisure Stadium, the NFL plans to create a fan experience of some type at Point State Park. That locale, near where the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers meet to form the Ohio River, is a focal point for the city, but it has not been employed as frequently for major sports events coming to town.

The next available NFL draft, meanwhile, is now in 2027. The Broncos—who continue to remake themselves under the new, Greg Penner–led ownership group—have submitted a bid. The Panthers and Charlotte are also reportedly interested in a future draft, but did not submit a bid for the latest formal consideration by the league. 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Apr 24, 2025; Green Bay, WI, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Abdul Carter on the red carpet before the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field

‘More Is More’: The Elite Luxury Jewelers Decking Out Athletes

Meet the elite group of luxury designers crafting the biggest statement pieces.

Pacers Force Game 7, Could Spark Big Ratings Boost for NBA Finals

Game 7 could boost NBA Finals ratings after a slow start this year.

Omaha Delivers Again: LSU, Coastal Carolina Set for CWS Showdown

LSU and Coastal Carolina begin their three-game series Saturday.
Mark Walter

Mark Walter Just Bought the Lakers at a $10B Valuation. Who Is..

Walter’s Lakers buy is easily the biggest franchise sale ever.

Featured Today

Mar 15, 2025; Fort Worth, TX, USA; UAB Blazers forward Yaxel Lendeborg (3) dribbles the ball upcourt against the North Texas Mean Green during the first half at Dickies Arena

NIL Is Shrinking the Pool of NBA Draft Entrants

Agents are now advising many players to stay in school.
Dec 5, 2024; Miami, FL, USA; FIFA president Gianni Infantino presents the FIFA Club World Cup trophy during the Club Word Cup draw at Telemundo Studios.
June 15, 2025

Revamped Club World Cup Is FIFA’s Billion-Dollar Gamble

The revamped soccer event debuts amid controversy.
Jun 10, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino stands during the anthem against the Switzerland during the first at Geodis Park
June 14, 2025

Gold Cup Is Complicated for USMNT—but U.S. Soccer Has Its Eyes on..

Uncertain tournament success isn’t fazing forward-looking U.S. soccer.
Jan 24, 2017; Davidson, NC, USA; The Davidson Wildcats student section cheers during the first half against the Duquesne Dukes at McKillop Court at John M. Belk Arena. Davidson defeated Duquesne 74-60.
June 6, 2025

Every College Wants a Flashy Basketball GM Hire Right Now

The role is more important than ever, and the definition is ever-evolving.

Pac-12 Still Playing Conference Tetris As Realignment Heats Up

Sacramento State is leaving the Big Sky for the Big West.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) celebrates after scoring a 3-pointer Tuesday, June 17, 2025, during a game between the Indiana Fever and the Connecticut Sun at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Indiana Fever defeated the Connecticut Sun, 88-71.
June 18, 2025

Caitlin Clark ‘Celebrates’ Chance at $500K Commissioner’s Cup Prize

The winning team shares a $500,000 prize pool.
June 19, 2025

Fire Rekindled? WNBA’s Portland Expansion Team Eyes Original Name

WNBA trademarks hint at Portland Fire revival as league expands and honors history.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Ted Leonsis unpacks basketball’s global rise, media rights, and portfolio ownership.
June 18, 2025

Dana White’s Next Frontier: Making Jiu-Jitsu Mainstream

The TKO Group Holdings–owned competition expands once again.
Club World Cup
June 18, 2025

Club World Cup Attendance Plummets for Weekday Games: 3,700 in Orlando, ‘Almost..

Chelsea’s manager bemoaned an “almost empty” stadium in Atlanta.
June 18, 2025

Premier League Embraces NFL-Style Flex Scheduling for 2025–26

The league warns of additional games “moving at relatively short notice.”
Sophie Cunningham
June 18, 2025

Fever and Sun Hit With Tiny Fines After Wild Melee

WNBA coaches have long complained about a lack of transparency in fines.