There are very few dates in the football calendar that matter as much as the NFL draft. With the 2026 event set to take place in Pittsburgh, the city is already gearing up for it. The officials want to use this opportunity not only to clean up its streets and waters for the big occasion but also to set long-term standards that’ll help keep litter off the area.
The new college football season has just started, meaning that discussions about the next draft have well kicked off. Experts are coming up with their mock drafts based on player performances in the first few weeks, and NFL teams are keeping their eyes on the prospects set to enter the league next season.
Besides the football aspect of it, the preparations for the big event in April 2026 have also undergone.
As usual, the draft is expected to attract millions of viewers from across the world. The hype will be as big as it always is, with many football fans already trying to predict who’ll be picked at which position on the draft. Some are creating their own mock drafts, while others are putting money on where some prospects will end up being selected. This list of the best offshore sportsbooks shows where you can get in the action at any point throughout the season.
Some fans will get the opportunity to watch NFL teams add new names to their rosters live in Pittsburgh and participate in the celebration of the biggest sport in the US.
With so many eyes guaranteed to be set on the entire event, the city of Pittsburgh is doing everything it can to prepare early. The latest initiative saw the officials launch a campaign to keep litter off its streets and ensure it stays there, both during and after the draft.
The major cleanup is being spearheaded by the non-profit organization Allegheny CleanWays, and it was opened with a ceremonial trash toss. The project has already secured support from a number of corporate, nonprofit, and individual donors. The goal is to raise $1 million before April next year.
Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey said that the NFL draft is the opportunity for the city and its residents to show the spirit of who they are and who they’ll become.
Football has always been more than just a sport, and events like the draft provide the perfect opportunity for people to come together and showcase the values their favorite sporting competition inspires.
Several hundred thousand NFL fans are expected to arrive in Pittsburgh in time for the draft, which is scheduled to take place between April 23 and April 25. History has shown that the event has a huge impact on the host city. Green Bay made an estimated $72.9 million from the 2025 NFL draft and Detroit made $219 million from the 2024 event.
However, hosting the NFL draft does come with its challenges, with waste management being one of them. The host city also has to increase its spending on traffic control, security, and law enforcement. In addition, if some parts of the city are closed or blocked off, it can have a negative impact on some businesses’ revenues.
The main venue for the 2026 NFL draft hasn’t been selected yet, but Derek Dawson from VisitPITTSBURGH said that the league is very close to making a final decision. Once the location has been chosen, the city is ready to prepare everything else needed to pull off this massive event.
The event is guaranteed to be as exciting as usual, with some big names prepared to enter the league next season. In its early mock draft, FOX Sports has LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (LSU) going number one with Texas QB Arch Manning right behind, but whether or not he’ll even be declaring for the 2026 draft is still unknown.
Tankathon’s mock also has Nussmeier as the first overall pick, but behind him are Spencer Fato (Utah) and LaNorris Sellers (South Carolina). No Syracuse players currently find themselves on the list.
After the Syracuse Orange had four players picked in the 2025 NFL draft, wide receiver Johntay Cook II is seen as a potential late-round selection this season.
