2026 NFL Draft: Tips & Tricks for Inside the Draft Campus

We've scouted the Draft campus just to give you the tips and tricks you need to know before you visit Point State Park and the North Shore.

Don't Get There Early or Right on Time

So hear us out here. We know this doesn't sound like typical advice you would take. However, if we learned anything from day 1 of the Draft, it's that people want to be here, and they want to be here now. Because of that, the line can very easily clog up at the beginning of the day. But we found that the line to get into the Draft campus was completely cleared out around 30 minutes after it opened. So plan to get there fashionably late if you don't feel like waiting in line to take it all in!

Pictured |

The line outside Point State Park at 11:30am on Draft Day 1

Pictured |

The line outside Point State Park at 11:30am on Draft Day 1

Bring a Bigger Clear Bag

Especially if you plan on picking up merch in the Draft footprint! It wasn't clear on if the NFL shops scattered around the campuses offered bags, so we were happy to have brought our own. Some vendors are giving them out throughout the city, but we wouldn't count on this being your surefire way to get a bag to take to the Draft.

Bring a Portable Phone Charger

The NFL OnePass app is your ticket to get into the Draft, but it'll do you next to no good unless your phone is charged! You can rent chargers throughout the Draft campus, but your best bet is to bring your own portable charger for when you're running low on battery.

Prepare for Maximum Capacity

This is especially true for the Draft Theater outside Acrisure Stadium. The 2026 NFL Draft is the biggest event Pittsburgh has ever hosted, so it's expected that things will fill up and fast. Luckily, there are several Draft viewing screens around the area, including in the North Shore, Point State Park, and Downtown. If you can't get into the Draft Theater, you're nowhere near out of luck!

Where To Take the Best Pictures

The NFL Draft is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so of course there are dozens of places throughout the Draft campus to take your picture to remember it. From Steelers Country at Point State Park with giant replica Super Bowl rings to mannequins decked out in jerseys that you can put yourself in on the North Shore to colorful photo frames everywhere, you'll get a different view of the Draft in every photo. Don't forget to get some classic Pittsburgh pictures too, like with the Downtown skyline, Acrisure Stadium, Roberto Clemente Bridge, and Point State Park's fountain!

Bring Sunscreen and a Water Bottle

The forecast is projected to be hot, so come prepared by bringing sunscreen and a water bottle. You can refill your bottle at one of several hydration stations throughout the campus. Bonus points for bringing layers, because even with the hot temperatures on the horizon, Pittsburgh does tend to get a little cold once it gets dark.

Take Advantage of Free Transportation

Traffic in and out of the Draft is a little crazy, so it's your perfect opportunity to take one of Pittsburgh's many public transportation options - for free! Pittsburgh Regional Transit's "T" lightrail system and "Football Flyer" bus routes are free during Draft Week, plus the Monongahela Incline is free from Mt. Washington to Station Square. Then once you're in the footprint, the Gateway Clipper is free between Point State Park and the North Shore and back.

Know Where To Eat & Drink

There are three main sections inside the Draft footprint to grab a bite to eat. At Point State Park, some of Pittsburgh's most beloved businesses are set up. From Vitalia Wood Fired Oven to The Roaming Bean, you can stop at this strip for any meal or pick-me-up. And right next door is Steelers Country, where a Dublin-inspired pub is ready to get you out into the footprint with a drink in hand.

In the North Shore, there's a dedicated section of food vendors that are off the beaten path from the main festivities, giving you breathing room while you recharge. And inside the Draft Theater viewing area, there are plenty of concessions tucked into the back corner for when you're feeling famish and burnt out from the crowds. There's also a beer hall near the Kamin Science Center that you can chill out at before hitting the Draft Experience running again.

Scout Out the Nearest Restrooms

If you're planning on being in the Draft footprint all day, you're going to need to use the bathroom at some point. Luckily, there are restrooms scattered throughout the Draft campus, and most are in places where they don't serve as eyesores for the rest of the experience. With that said, some of the locations you have to really look for. Watch for the restroom signs; even with massive crowds, you can spot them from a mile (figuratively) away.