Pittsburgh Delivers Historic Success During the 2026 NFL Draft

PITTSBURGH, PA - Nearly one month after the 2026 NFL Draft presented by Bud Light transformed Pittsburgh into the center of the football world, preliminary results released today highlight the broad-reaching success and impact of the event across the region.

From record-breaking attendance and global media exposure to strong public safety and transportation outcomes, local business engagement, and extraordinary volunteer support, the Draft delivered a defining moment for Pittsburgh on a national and international stage.

“Pittsburgh proved that Pennsylvania is on the rise during the 2026 NFL Draft, delivering a world-class event and showcasing the city at its best to hundreds of thousands of visitors and millions of people around the world,” said Governor Josh Shapiro. “My Administration was proud to work with local leaders to pull off an incredibly successful event and took advantage of this opportunity to promote everything our Commonwealth has to offer, breaking ground on three new and revitalized public spaces – Arts Landing, Market Square, and Point State Park – and hosting business leaders and CEOs to drive economic momentum. We are going to continue to invest in this City and ensure Pittsburgh remains a vibrant, prosperous, welcoming destination for residents, businesses, and visitors for years to come.”

Hosted throughout Pittsburgh’s Downtown and North Shore, the Draft welcomed fans from across the country and around the world while generating significant visibility and momentum for the region’s tourism, sports, hospitality, and business sectors.

Attendance & Exposure

The 2026 NFL Draft drew historic crowds and delivered extraordinary global exposure for Pittsburgh and Southwestern Pennsylvania.

Preliminary results include:

• 320,000 fans attended Day 1 of the Draft — setting an all-time Day 1 attendance record
• 805,000 attendees across Draft weekend – making it the largest event in NFL history
• More than 55 million viewers tuned in worldwide
• 105 countries represented across NFL OnePass registrants
• 43% of attendees traveled from outside a 50-mile radius
• 14.8 billion PR impressions worldwide
• 2026 NFL Draft Week became the most socially viewed Draft on record

In addition, Steelers fans represented 65% of attendees, underscoring the strength and passion of Steeler Nation.

“We could not be prouder of how Pittsburgh welcomed the football world,” said Art Rooney II, President, Pittsburgh Steelers. “From the energy throughout the Draft footprint to the hospitality across our neighborhoods, the event reflected the passion and pride that define our city and region. We are grateful to our public and private partners whose collaboration helped deliver a safe and memorable draft experience to the thousands of fans in attendance, as well as a lasting impression of our beautiful city for the millions of fans who tuned in from around the world.”

Pittsburgh’s hospitality sector also experienced substantial activity throughout Draft week:

• 92% hotel occupancy on peak nights in Downtown Pittsburgh
• 85% peak hotel occupancy countywide
• 75% average countywide hotel occupancy during the event period

“These numbers reinforce what we already knew — Pittsburgh is a premier destination capable of hosting the world’s biggest events,” said Jerad Bachar, President & CEO of VisitPITTSBURGH. “The exposure generated through the Draft will continue benefiting our region long after the final pick was announced.”

Transportation & Visitor Experience

Despite unprecedented crowds throughout Downtown and the North Shore, transportation systems and visitor operations performed efficiently throughout Draft week, helping create a seamless fan experience across the event footprint.

The Draft activated key neighborhoods and venues surrounding the footprint, including Downtown, the North Shore, Point State Park, Market Square, and Arts Landing.

Additional preliminary metrics include:

• 485,000 PRT riders utilized public transit throughout Draft week, a 51% increase compared to average ridership
  • 60,000 rides supported by the Football Flyers
  • 128,000 rides supported by the T
• A record 26,500 Gateway Clipper passengers traveled via river transportation
  • 74 total trips across two-days
  • 240 total hours worked by the 10-person crew
• 45,000 fans visited Steelers Country in Point State Park and 26,000 Draft postcards were distributed
• 2,775 runners and walkers participated in the PicksBURGH Draft Day 5K

Public Safety

The NFL Draft marked the largest coordinated public safety effort in recent history, with no serious incidents reported; a remarkable outcome and a testament to the thousands of hours of planning and training by local, state and federal agencies in advance of the event.

Preliminary public safety results include:

• Pittsburgh Bureau of EMS
  • 229 calls for service
  • 45 hospital transports
• Pittsburgh Police
  • 2 arrests and 1 citation
• Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire
  • 1 fire response related to hot grill ashes
  • 0 hazardous materials incidents

“The success of an event of this size shows that we can host big events and Pittsburgh has great resources here to coordinate and prepare for them,” said Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor. “Every city agency played a role from public safety to public works to IT, and I’d like to thank them and all of the partner agencies for working around the clock to maintain a clean, safe and welcoming experience for the hundreds of thousands of residents and visitors who attended.”

Community Impact

Beyond the tourism impact, the 2026 NFL Draft created meaningful community benefits across the region.

Throughout Draft week, partners supported initiatives focused on youth engagement, environmental sustainability, neighborhood beautification and charitable giving—helping ensure the event delivered lasting value beyond the Draft footprint itself.

Preliminary community impact highlights include:

• 800 new trees to be planted across the region from now through 2027 to support tree canopy expansion
• 400 hanging flower baskets installed throughout Downtown and across the three Sister Bridges
• 420 street planters supported across Downtown
• 59,720 pounds of food rescued and redistributed to 15 nonprofits across the city – mitigating 146,550 pounds of carbon
• Ribbon cutting on a new multi-purpose youth sports field, U.S. Steel Community Field, in Hazelwood and youth sports clinic.
  • The field, a collaborative effort between Richard King Mellon Foundation, Tishman Speyer, Hazelwood Green Youth Sports Charities and Steelers Charities represents a $25 million investment in the Hazelwood neighborhood
• 150 students engaged in a health and wellness expo designed to help students strengthen both mind and body through interactive learning and movement-based activities
• Approximately 250–300 veterans and their families gathered for an event centered on meals, community connection, and football fellowship
• 80 Special Olympics athletes participated a football clinic alongside NFL prospects
• Construction was supported for two townhomes in Larimer
• 91 local schools received NFL Flag-in-School kits reaching over 50,000 students
• More than $1 million was raised to fight hunger in Western PA
• More than 90 students from local colleges and universities joined sports and civic leaders for a meaningful dialogue on the power of sports to unite communities across differences
• 1,000 shelter hygiene and 1,000 first aid kits were packed and distributed across three community organizations that are supporting our homeless community
• 40 youth from Homeless Children’s Education Fund participated in the mentorship session
• Trained the most people ever in a Hands-Only CPR (1 hour) event with 1,293 individuals became CPR certified, setting a Guiness Book record
• Performed on-site PSA blood testing and educational resources for 42 men, raising awareness and promoting early detection of prostate cancer

Local Supplier Impact

The Draft also generated substantial opportunities for local and diverse businesses from across the 10-couty southwestern Pennsylvania region through the NFL Draft Source Program.

Preliminary program data shows:

• 164 businesses participated in the 2026 Draft Source Program
• More than 100 local contracts were issued during the event
• 64% of contracts were awarded to local diverse businesses
• 63% of contracts were awarded to Draft Source Program members
• $17.7 million was spent directly with Pittsburgh-based businesses

“From the very beginning, we wanted this Draft to create meaningful opportunity for local businesses and communities,” said Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato. “The Source Program helped ensure that Pittsburgh area companies and entrepreneurs directly benefited from one of the biggest events ever hosted in our region.”

More than $500,000 was spent with more than a dozen local concessionaires featured within the Draft footprint. These vendors kept 100 percent of their revenue.

The NFL OnePass Guide to Pittsburgh also featured 100+ local businesses.

Teammates & Volunteers

The success of the 2026 NFL Draft was powered by thousands of teammates, volunteers, staff members, and partners who helped welcome fans to Pittsburgh throughout the week.

Preliminary participation totals include:

• 2,775 volunteer roles were filled throughout Draft week
• 1,148 paid teammates supported event operations
• 310 community volunteers participated across Downtown and North Shore

“Our volunteers and teammates were the face of Pittsburgh for hundreds of thousands of fans,” said Troy Schooley, President & CEO of P3R. “Their energy, hospitality, and pride in our city helped create an unforgettable experience for fans from around the world.”

Master Builders' Association Technical Career Fair

A collaboration between Master Builders' Association (MBA) and the NFL, provided students from across the area with an opportunity to see how skilled trades professionals come together on a major construction project. The program marked the first time the National Football League (NFL) engaged in workforce development and education outreach effort tied directly to the building trades.

Students also connected with MBA members to learn how their skills are applied on major construction or renovation projects, providing students with a direct connection between classroom learning and real-world work. The day also featured an emphasis on Women Who Run Construction, highlighting women working in the building trades.

Preliminary program impacts:

• 140 students gained valuable, real-world exposure through the career fair
• 7 area schools participated in the workforce development program

Looking Ahead

The Draft also strengthened Pittsburgh’s long-term reputation as a destination for tourism, investment, sports, and major events.

Additional findings — including visitor sentiment data, return-intent survey results, and economic impact — will be released alongside the final impact report in the coming months.

To view the Draft impact video series, click here. For photos of the historic event, click here. For more information, visit NFLDraftPittsburgh.com.