AN ART DISPLAY OUTSIDE A FORMER RETAIL STORE AT THE CORNER OF SMITHFIELD STREET AND FORBES AVENUE. PHOTO BY ERIN YUDT

Downtown Pittsburgh’s Golden Triangle has nearly 50 empty storefronts — just as the NFL Draft is set to bring hundreds of thousands of visitors. A local nonprofit is racing to fill dozens of those spaces before April.

The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership is always working to fill vacant retail spaces, but the draft brings more urgency to those efforts, said Cate Irvin, senior director of economic development. The group revived a “pop-up” program in which businesses access retail space — pending an agreement from the property owner — for six to 12 months.

“This gives businesses a chance to test the waters and see if they want to commit to a longer-term lease. We’re looking specifically at kind of a retail classification, and within that is included restaurant retail, traditional retail and services like salons,” Irvin said. “We do have a requirement now for our pop ups that they all need to be up and running by April.”

One of those pop-ups opened last month: Confleurtti, a flower shop just outside Market Square.

“The last [Downtown floral shop] closed in 2021…so when they applied for Project Pop-Up, it was fantastic,” Irvin said. “We’re not looking to just put businesses in that’ll do well for three days. We want businesses that’ll do well for three to 30 years.”

FOR SALE AND RENT SIGNS FILL AN EMPTY STOREFRONT IN DOWNTOWN PITTSBURGH. PHOTO BY ERIN YUDT

Confleurtti owner Ashleigh Nixon opened her business in 2020, hosting pop-up floral arrangement classes. When she heard the draft was coming to town, she said it was a good opportunity to try opening a physical store.

“I have [the store] for six months, which will go to the very first day in June, but it’s still an opportunity to do all I can,” Nixon said. “If it is successful, then I could extend the lease at market rate… there’s been some deals and discounts available to me that have been very needed and helpful that may have not been there [before the draft announcement].”

While Nixon is not an official NFL vendor, she plans to prepare Steelers- and Pittsburgh-related floral arrangements for the big event in April.

“I might do some team leis for parents and families and maybe even players to wear,” Nixon said. “I have something up my sleeve for sure.”

OUTSIDE ACRISURE STADIUM. PHOTO BY ERIN YUDT

One way the partnership is working to keep businesses Downtown after the draft is through a rent abatement program, offering rent subsidies for the first year of the lease. In 2025, eight new businesses opened through the program, contributing to 19 overall total new street-level retail openings. The rent abatement program offers half off of the monthly rent, up to $2,000.

“Right now, we’ve actually had to close our applications until the third quarter of 2026 just because we had so many,” Irvin said. “Come spring, there’ll be another wave of openings…which is perfect in time with the draft, giving visitors a chance to see what all we have to offer.”

Some of the empty storefronts require construction to be retail ready. For those, the partnership plans to install window displays featuring locally made art, Irvin said.

“We’re working on curating some artistic windows, like vinyl wraps that can go on the sides of the building,” Irvin said. “It kind of still creates a visual identity and sort of aesthetic, while highlighting local, emerging artists.”

THE NFL DRAFT COUNTDOWN CLOCK ON PITTSBURGH’S NORTH SHORE. PHOTO BY ERIN YUDT

Irvin said PDP hopes to fill 20 to 30 retail storefronts in time for the draft, which is scheduled for April 23-25. It is expected to generate $120 million to $213 million in economic impact, based on prior draft numbers. The main stage will be located outside of Acrisure Stadium on the North Shore. Other events will be spread throughout the North Shore and at Point State Park.

VisitPittsburgh, the tourism agency leading draft preparation, estimates a crowd of 500,000 to 700,000 fans.

Last December, planning officials with the NFL visited the region and gathered local businesses to meet with subcontractors in hopes of securing a contract to become an official vendor for the draft. These businesses underwent months of NFL-led training to be a part of the NFL Draft Source Program.

There are about 100 active businesses in the program that were selected out of several hundred applicants, Draft Source lead Myisha Boyce said.

Belynda Gardner, NFL senior director of club leadership, development and inclusion, said last month that officials will be back a “couple of more times” leading up to the main event.

“Our focus will really be to make sure that everyone is aware of the plans for draft, the things that might be impeding the community, as well as really just making sure that the businesses have what they need to be able to be successful,” Gardner said.

NFL OFFICIALS AND BUSINESSES SELECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DRAFT SOURCE PROGRAM MET AT COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY’S FORESTER STUDENT SERVICES CENTER. PHOTO BY ERIN YUDT

Newly inaugurated city of Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor told the city to “redd up” for the draft earlier this month.

“We know Pittsburgh’s going to be in the international spotlight for the NFL Draft in April and that’s brought a lot of energy, collaboration and momentum to Downtown,’ O’Connor said in a statement to the Pittsburgh Media Partnership Newsroom. “My administration is focused on the overall growth, including opportunities for our small businesses, so I say let’s make the best of that energy to support existing efforts — like the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership’s — to get local businesses into storefronts to build a vibrant Downtown not just for the draft, but for every day.”

Abigail Hakas contributed to this report.

Erin Yudt is a reporter with the Newsroom, part of the Center for Media Innovation at Point Park University. She most recently was a multimedia content producer and digital reporter at WKBN in Youngstown and is a graduate of Point Park University. Reach her at erin.yudt@pointpark.edu.

Abigail Hakas was a staff reporter for the newsroom until September 2025. She is now managing editor of the Latrobe Bulletin. Reach her at editor@latrobebulletinnews.com.

The PMP Newsroom is a regional news service that focuses on government and enterprise reporting in southwestern Pennsylvania. Find out more information on foundation and corporate funders here.

PHOTO BY DAVE DICELLO

It’s hard to say who are hotter prospects for next April’s NFL Draft in Pittsburgh: star athletes or short-term rental hosts.

Despite raising some prices tenfold, hosts are already signing up many draft lodgers. “Folks are starting to get busy and booked,” Michelle Senko, president of the Realtors Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh, says.

VisitPITTSBURGH estimates that the April 23-25 event will draw about 500,000 to 700,000 visitors, including fans, athletes, contractors, media crews, league workers and team workers. About 20% of them are expected to stay overnight at least once, and about 20% of those lodgers to choose short-term rental units instead of hotels or motels.

Chad Wise of HostWise Stays and the Steel City Short Term Rental Alliance says he’d bought PriceLabs data showing that about 11% of the short-term units in Pittsburgh proper were booked for the draft, nearly seven months ahead. He added that many people who didn’t normally rent out their homes would leave town that week to make room. One homeowner who usually rents out her carriage house planned to offer her main house as well.

A local resident who withheld her name created a website called accommodationsforthedraft.com. It listed two lodgings to date: houses in Oakmont asking $3,500 and $5,000 per night. The website creator – says, “My target is people who think it’s a cool idea to rent their place out and make some money, but don’t want to run an Airbnb or Vrbo on a continuing basis.”

One of her hosts says that she’d hold out for corporate, league or team staffs rather than fans, who’d be harder to hold accountable.

The area’s short-term rentals seem to be surging. According to data from AirDNA and Pricelabs, estimates range from 2,500 to 3,000 units listed on various platforms in Pittsburgh and 375 to 1,000 in Allegheny County suburbs that allow them. Pittsburgh Councilmember Deb Gross of District 7 says, “There are entire city blocks that have a lock box on the door handle.” She’s sponsoring bills 2025-2081 and 2025-2082, which, among other restrictions, would require the units to have local owners or managers and limit their number per building.

The county also has about 19,000 hotel rooms. Wise says, “My guess is people will be staying 40 minutes away.”

Proponents say that short-term rentals draw tourists and revitalize neighborhoods. Critics say that they deplete the stock of affordable homes for buyers or long-term rentals and cause parking shortages on narrow streets. Some units have also hosted parties that turned violent. Two teens were fatally shot on Easter of 2022 during a party that drew more than 200 people at a short-term rental on the North Side. More than three years later, no arrests have been made.

For better or worse, the industry seems to be prospering, especially during big events. Alex Cauley, corporate communications manager of VisitPITTSBURGH, says of the rotating draft’s next stop,“The short-term rentals will likely be doubled in price, where the hotels might increase 50% or so.” Wise’s data showed an average four-fold hike at rentals in Pittsburgh proper.

But it all depends on who’s hiking the ball. At last look, an Airbnb house in Swissvale was set to stay at its usual $605.34, including tax, for one guest for four nights. And an Airbnb room in Squirrel Hill would stay at $89.24 per night. “We keep our listings affordable for people to visit beautiful Pittsburgh,” said the Squirrel Hill co-host. “We don’t change the rates for events.”

But some hosts were seeking about ten times more money than usual. An Airbnb room in Shadyside would rise from $328.32 for four comparable nights this fall to $3,146.40 during the draft. A Vrbo townhome in the Upper Hill District would rise from $1,465.41 to $14,878.99. A Vrbo six-bedroom house on the North Side would rise from $4,735.96 to $47,785.12.

Cauley expected most overnight visitors to come a day or two before the draft and leave during its second or third day. The longer they stay, the likelier they’ll choose a short-term rental instead of a hotel.

The draft will take place outside Acrisure Stadium, and many festivities are expected at Point State Park.

The crowd was predicted to far exceed those for Steelers games, popular concerts, and this year’s U.S. Open in Oakmont. The golf tournament drew an estimated 200,000 visitors, who booked about 11,500 nights of lodgings.

A March report by the Joint State Government Commission lists 14 communities in Allegheny County with rules specific to short-term rentals. And the list is incomplete. For starters, it’s missing a ban in West View, which posted a notice in September: “With the excitement of the NFL Draft coming to Pittsburgh in 2026, residents are reminded that short-term rentals (less than 90 days) of homes in West View are not permitted.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF ALLEGHENY GREENWAYS

The 2026 NFL Draft is 225 days away — time to redd up for company!

The Immaculate Collection, a region-wide initiative to deep-clean and beautify Pittsburgh, launched today across from Acrisure Stadium.

PHOTO BY KRISTY GRAVER

With the city skyline as a backdrop, local leaders gathered to share details about the massive clean-up effort that includes 100 miles of highways leading into and out of Downtown, hanging flower baskets and planting gardens, getting high school and college students involved and mobilizing volunteers in at least 50 county neighborhoods.

“The eyes of the world will be on Pittsburgh during the Draft, but the truth is: litter doesn’t just affect visitors’ first impressions; it affects how we see ourselves,” said Caily Grube, executive director of Allegheny Cleanways. “The Draft is an opportunity to unite the region and give this much-needed cleanup a sense of urgency, but our plan is to sustain this effort long after next April, with the community’s support, so we can keep the region clean, beautiful and healthy for all residents.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF ALLEGHENY GREENWAYS

As organizer of the initiative, Allegheny Cleanways is doubling its full-time crew to do weekly land and river cleanups throughout the county. They’ve got a big job to do.

According to a 2019 study by Keep PA Beautiful, more than 500 million pieces of litter can be found on Keystone State roadways, mostly in the form of plastic bottles, aluminum cans, cigarette butts and food packaging items.

The public can get involved by visiting the Immaculate Collection site to volunteer with local groups, start a new one or donate to the cause.

THE 2026 NFL DRAFT COUNTDOWN CLOCK WAS INSTALLED ON THE NORTH SHORE IN MAY TO LET THE PUBLIC KNOW HOW SOON THE BIG EVENT WILL BE IN PITTSBURGH. | PHOTO BY VIRGINIA LINN

With the NFL Draft now 314 days away, the Steelers are moving ahead on two important improvements at Acrisure Stadium to get ready for all the festivities coming April 23-25, 2026.

They plan to replace 10,000 to 12,000 square feet of lawn outside of the stadium at the corner of North Shore Drive and Rooney Avenue with artificial turf for youth activities. The Steelers started promoting that grassy area last season as the Steel Yard, bringing in DJs and offering lawn games, a photo booth and more before and after the game. The new turf is expected to be completed before the fall season but aims to support fan activities long after the draft is held, according to PSSI Stadium LLC, an affiliate of the Steelers that holds the lease on the stadium.

The Steelers also will be installing a much larger LED sign near Gate A on an exterior ramp tower. The new 1,117 square- foot-sign will be more than seven times the size of the current 154-square-foot sign, which has reached the end of its life. That work should be completed by next April. The electronic screen will be used to present information and announcements about the draft and to support an enhanced fan experience at the stadium and on the North Shore, according to PSSI.

PART OF THE SOUTH LAWN IN FRONT OF ACRISURE STADIUM. A PORTION OF THE LAWN WILL BE REPLACED THIS SUMMER WITH ARTIFICIAL TURF FOR YOUTH ACTIVITIES PLANNED DURING THE NFL DRAFT COMING IN APRIL 2026. | PHOTO BY VIRGINIA LINN

The Pittsburgh Sports and Exhibition Authority, which owns the stadium, this past week approved the team’s plans, according to a story in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Between 500,000 and 700,000 fans are projected to descend upon Pittsburgh for draft activities that will be taking place both on the North Shore outside of Acrisure Stadium and across the Allegheny River in Point State Park. About $3.4 million of work is underway in Point State Park to improve the lighting, walkways and more. Major Downtown renovations also are underway in Market Square, the Allegheny Riverfront Park and on what is called Arts Landing in the 8th Street Block area of the Cultural District — all aimed at spiffing up the city for the big occasion and beyond.

PHOTO BY DAVE DICELLO

Organizers want to showcase Pittsburgh’s tech industry and arts scene when the 2026 NFL Draft comes to town next April.

“There’s definitely opportunities in the autonomous tech area, robotics and other ways that we want to help bake that into to tell the Pittsburgh story,” said Jerad Bachar, CEO of VisitPittsburgh, which is leading draft planning efforts. “Certainly, where tech meets art, it exemplifies the current, modern Pittsburgh, if you will. But as we move forward, we think that there is a big opportunity for us to really enhance and showcase our arts community.”

The draft provides an opportunity for cities to showcase their unique culture — and Pittsburgh is leaning on cities with a playbook for the NFL draft: Detroit and Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Green Bay is hosting the draft April 24-26. Part festival, part sporting event, it’s a widely anticipated occasion where teams select new players to build their rosters.

Pittsburgh officials have spoken with officials in Detroit, last year’s draft host, to get a sense of selecting locations and planning the 2026 draft, slated for April 23-25 and expected to attract between 500,000 and 700,000 fans.

“There’s been a lot of great momentum in our city,” said Marty Dobek, executive director of the Detroit Sports Commission. “We really felt hosting a draft in downtown Detroit, in the central business district, basically dropping this three-day event that brings together sports, music, and culture into our vibrant downtown, was a great platform for us to just showcase to the world that this is Detroit and shift perceptions.”

Almost 800,000 people attended the three-day event, a new record that brought in about $213 million in estimated economic impact.

Leaders said they wanted to leverage the publicity — more than 50 million people watched the draft online — to rebrand the Motor City, which between 2022 and 2023 saw population growth for the first time in more than 60 years.

“Our message to the NFL was, there’s no other city in the United States that could be impacted better than Detroit,” Dobek said. “It was about our culture and using that platform over those three days, the millions that watch the draft and the visitors that come into the city for the draft to experience firsthand what our community is all about and what the culture here in Detroit is.”

Detroit officials used the event’s publicity to improve youth literacy and encourage youth sports through the $1 million Living Legacy Initiative launched ahead of the draft using Detroit Sports Commission and Visit Detroit funds.

Planning for the NFL’s largest offseason event means an array of details to figure out: traffic, parking, security, concessions, venues, marketing and more.

Green Bay has 30-some committees, said Nick Meisner, vice president of digital marketing and communications at Discover Green Bay. The group heads the host committee, alongside the Green Bay Packers.

And funding adds another layer to preparation.

While the NFL covers the “vast majority of expenses,” said Emily Hatfield, senior director of communications for VisitPittsburgh, cities must fundraise millions, something the NFL looks for in draft bids.

Detroit used $10 million, a disbursement of funds from Visit Detroit, the Detroit Sports Commission, businesses and the state of Michigan. Green Bay raised $8.5 million from local businesses and donors, including $2 million from Wisconsin’s state government, Meisner said.

Pittsburgh leaders are contributing a little more, with $1 million from the city coffers, $3 million from Allegheny County’s hotel tax, $5 million from businesses and another $2 million from VisitPittsburgh — all totaling $11 million.

Funds go to a variety of uses, including marketing, public safety and temporary infrastructure upgrades.

But keeping the public informed of planning can be its own struggle. Green Bay organizers have dealt with misinformation about road closures and disruptions caused by the draft.

“I can’t tell you the number of times that we’ve heard ‘We’re shutting down this road for eight weeks,’” Meisner said. “Or we hear ‘They’re going to take down this building,’ or ‘We heard that they’re going to do this or that or the other thing,’ and it just becomes nonsense.”

Green Bay Alderman Chris Wery has pushed for more community meetings and transparency, including requesting a committee be formed that directly reports to City Council.

“I know they know they’re ready, but the public doesn’t know that,” Wery said. “I’m trying to link the two.”

Green Bay is expecting 250,000 to 300,000 people. Split over three days, it rivals average game-day attendance, Meisner said. Pittsburgh is anticipating 500,000 to 700,000 fans, which would make it the largest event held in the city, according to Gov. Josh Shapiro.

Green Bay expects to bring in $90 million in statewide economic impact, Meisner said. For the 2026 draft in Pittsburgh, that number stands between $120 million to $213 million, in no small part thanks to a large number of football teams and NCAA Division I football programs within driving distance.

And Green Bay residents want to get in on that impact. Wery, who represents the district north of and containing Lambeau Field, said he’s received questions from constituents in the residential areas near the stadium.

It’s typical for cars to be parked on nearby lawns on game days, and residents have asked Wery if they can sell food or charge draft visitors for parking on their lawns.

In Pittsburgh next year, businesses may also see some money as the NFL launches its procurement program looking for local businesses, including those owned by underrepresented groups, to help run the drafts. Green Bay’s applications are closed. Pittsburgh applications opened on April 1 and close on May 7.

Abigail Hakas is a reporter for Next Generation Newsroom, part of the Center for Media Innovation at Point Park University. Reach her at abigail.hakas@pointpark.edu.

SHUTTERSTOCK

Local businesses owned by underrepresented groups could get a boost when the NFL Draft comes to town next year.

If accepted into the NFL Draft Source Program, businesses will be included in a directory for potential contracts. The draft — which could draw as many as 775,000 fans to Pittsburgh — is scheduled in the Steel City for April 23-25, 2026.

“It is the goal of the NFL and Local Organizing Committee to increase access and preparedness for local businesses to compete for draft contracts in order to facilitate the strongest local economic impact possible,” said Emily Hatfield, senior director of communications for VisitPittsburgh.

VisitPittsburgh is leading the draft locally through a local organizing committee, composed of the governor, local elected officials and community leaders. The tourism promotion agency and the Pittsburgh Steelers held information sessions for businesses on March 3 and March 21. Applications open April 1.

Businesses that have certifications stating they are at least 51% owned and operated by a minority, woman, person with disabilities, LGBTQ+ individual, or veteran are encouraged to apply, although applications are also open to those without certification.

To be considered, businesses must also be headquartered in Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington or Westmoreland counties.

Those that offer services needed for the draft, such as event promotion, catering, construction, and security, are encouraged to apply.

The NFL does not exclusively use Source members for events, but it “provides increased exposure to opportunity,” according to the 2025 Draft Source Program guidelines.

Applications will be open until May 7. Businesses will be notified of decisions at the end of June. Hatfield said those accepted into the program will be offered “networking and capacity building activities.”

After the draft, the directory will be given to the local organizing committee and added to the NFL’s supplier database for NFL staff, teams, sponsors, and partner organizations to use, Hatfield said.

The NFL Source Program was used for Detroit, the 2024 draft host, rolling out a year prior.

“Our region is so diverse,” said Marty Dobek, executive director of the Detroit Sports Commission. “We wanted to get everybody under the umbrella. We knew not all the businesses would get an opportunity with the NFL but also used it as an opportunity to educate them on the entire process.”

Abigail Hakas is a reporter for Next Generation Newsroom, part of the Center for Media Innovation at Point Park University. Reach her at abigail.hakas@pointpark.edu.

PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

The NFL Draft in Pittsburgh is just 393 days away.

And while the Steelers and tourism, city and regional leaders are gearing up for the April 23-25 2026 event that is likely to draw 500,000 to 700,000 fans to Pittsburgh, they’re also focusing on building a lasting legacy here.

“We want to make sure, that while the draft is only going to be here for a few days, that it leaves a really long, lasting legacy,” said Blayre Holmes Davis, senior director of community relations to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Some of that will be through a NFL Draft Source Program, which will be a directory of local and diverse businesses and suppliers that will be available to support the huge event. Applications for that program open April 1. It also will be run in collaboration with VisitPittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Related: Point State Park Will Host Festival for 2026 NFL Draft With Main Stage Outside Acrisure Stadium

The source program would provide a blueprint to build event-ready businesses here to support other large-scale events in the future. “This is an amazing opportunity to leave a lasting impact in our region,” Holmes Davis told an audience Wednesday at the Heinz History Center for the annual meeting of VisitPittsburgh.

The draft also will spotlight other amenities in the city, said Ashley Hamilton, director of event location, strategy and planning for the NFL, who also spoke at the VisitPittsburgh meeting.

“We try to lean into the culture in the city that we’re in,” she said. “We want to highlight the museums, the iconic food, the rich music history…we want to bring that to life.

“We’ll be working on that over the next 13 months to really make sure that you all are represented, not only locally, but on a global scale through our broadcast,” she said.

An estimated 50 million people are expected to watch the NFL draft from around the world. For visiting fans, many of these local amenities will be incorporated in an NFL OnePass, which will curate things people can do while here.

The NFL also encourages what she called “shoulder programming,” pop-up and other events scheduled before and after the draft days to bolster the festivities. Hamilton said that hotels would be in high demand by her staff and others even a month before the draft as officials descend on Pittsburgh to make preparations.

Hamilton said she’s looking forward to the challenge of having a draft footprint that includes the North Shore and Point State Park — divided by the Allegheny River. “This is the first to include two points across a river,” she said. They will try to make the connections as seamless as possible.

The VisitPittsburgh annual meeting comes during the organization’s 90th year.

“2024 marked another great year of travel across Allegheny County,” said Jerad Bachar, president and CEO of VisitPittsburgh. Allegheny County saw a nearly 4% increase in visitors — 21.2 million — compared to the number in 2023. The industry generated $6.8 billion in visitor spending, providing $377 million in state and local tax revenues. The tourism industry supports 42,000 jobs, he said.

“Tourism has always been and will continue to be a powerful force in shaping our region’s identity, ” Bachar said.

Also speaking at the annual meeting was Nitya Chambers, a Pittsburgh-area native who is senior vice president of content/executive editor at Lonely Planet. In October, Lonely Planet named Pittsburgh as the only U.S. city on its must-visit annual list for 2025.

“To me, Pittsburgh is the city of great balance…it is low key, unpretentious, authentic and genuine, with a true appetite for growth that I think is ambitious and visionary. Pittsburgh is an ideal as much as it is a destination.”

THE POINT STATE PARK FOUNTAIN | PHOTO BY HUCK BEARD

Steelers Nation can take some credit for bringing the league’s largest offseason event to Pittsburgh.

And for the NFL Draft next year — to be held April 23-25 — they’ll be taking over Point State Park, the anticipated venue of a free fan festival known as the NFL Draft Experience, documents show.

Cities compete to host the draft, and the NFL generally looks for a few traits in potential host cities: a rich football history, great fandom, and a location that can’t host a Super Bowl, said Nicki Ewell, senior director of events for the NFL.

“There’s fans of the black and yellow all over the country and the world,” Ewell said. “They have really deep roots, and so we want to reward cities that we know are rich in football history.”

Pittsburgh in particular has some of the highest fan engagement in the league, Ewell said. A strong public and private partnership with the ability to fundraise the needed money to host the draft solidified the bid.

While the NFL has a playbook for the draft, it’s customized for each city, Ewell said.

The NFL is looking at using the rivers to make it a uniquely Pittsburgh draft, but the specifics have yet to be confirmed.

“It has to be unique to the city. That’s what makes it very challenging but also makes it very unique,” she said.

Incorporating iconic Pittsburgh sites, such as Point State Park and the North Shore, is one way to do that — but the NFL won’t be paying a lofty price for the venues where an estimated half a million or more attendees will attend the draft next year. In fact, the NFL won’t be paying at all.

Pennsylvania will provide the park for free to the NFL, according to a signed letter of commitment provided by the Bureau of State Parks to Next Generation Newsroom.

It’s a trend across the potential draft venues: two locations on the North Shore, a stretch of the riverfront and parking lots near Acrisure Stadium, are being given to the NFL rent-free, according to two letters of commitment obtained by Next Generation Newsroom through Right-to-Know requests. All three letters of commitment were signed in February 2024.

The main stage location where draft picks are announced will be outside Acrisure Stadium, Ewell said.

On the Downtown side, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will work to draft an agreement with the local organizing committee to use Point State Park if the NFL confirms the park as the Draft Experience venue, according to the Bureau of State Parks.

“Over the next year, there will be coordination between the NFL and local partners, including VisitPittsburgh and the Local Organizing Committee, as event details like site location and activities get planned,” said Cecelia Cagni, director of corporate communications for the Pittsburgh Steelers. “As an organization, we continue to be excited for the 2026 NFL Draft and know many sports fans are as well.”

DCNR would then invoice the local organizing committee for any fees associated with park use, the bureau said. It’s not the only expense the local organizing committee could be footing the bill for.

Throughout the letters of commitment, the NFL asks for control over a range of details and for waived fees, including not being charged for utilities and “no revenue sharing, ticket fees or other forms of fees or charges paid to the venue.”

If rental fees are charged by any of the venues, those must be paid by the local organizing committee, which has an $11 million fund to host the draft.

While local businesses aim to get a piece of profit through the NFL’s Source program, the NFL will call the shots on who is working the venues.

The NFL will curate a list of restaurants to serve food and beverages at Point State Park, and those businesses will keep all of the revenue from sales, Ewell said.

In Detroit, which hosted the 2024 draft, vendors earned over $1 million, Ewell said.

But aside from food and beverage, the NFL doesn’t have vendors selling anything other than its own merchandise operator, currently Legends Global Merchandise, and doesn’t allow booths for non-NFL partners.

“It’s not like a street fair or a festival in that way, but we’re also hosting an event that’s completely free for the entire community,” Ewell said. “Even if you’re a member of the Source [program], but you don’t get a contract, there’s still impact to your city and to your business, potentially.”

Across all three venues, the NFL will select concessionaires, caterers, and security, according to the letters of commitment.

With much of the revenue from the event retained by the NFL, local officials hope to see money roll in elsewhere: The draft is expected to bring between $120 million and $213 million in economic impact, based on prior draft numbers.

It also showcases Pittsburgh’s ability to host a large-scale event, Ewell said. Gov. Josh Shapiro expects the draft to be the largest event Pittsburgh has ever seen.

“Even if you’re not a fan of the NFL, you’re not a fan of sports, you’re not a fan of the Steelers, there’s still something for you to do and see and just be part of the community, which I think is the really powerful thing about the draft,” Ewell said.

Abigail Hakas is a reporter for Next Generation Newsroom, part of the Center for Media Innovation at Point Park University. Reach her at abigail.hakas@pointpark.edu.

POINT STATE PARK AND PORTIONS OF THE RIVERFRONT ON THE NORTH SHORE ARE EXPECTED TO HOST A SLEW OF DRAFT-RELATED ACTIVITIES IN 2026. OFFICIALS WANT TO INCORPORATE ICONIC PITTSBURGH LOCATIONS, SUCH AS THE POINT STATE PARK, ALLEGHENY RIVER, AND NORTH SHORE, ALL PICTURED HERE ON FEB. 19, 2025. KALLIYAN WINDER / NGN NEWS SERVICE

Kids running a 40-yard dash and kicking field goals, players lining up for autographs and walking the red carpet and the Vince Lombardi Trophy on full display for all to see.

These sights — and more — are signatures of the NFL Draft, which Pittsburgh is in the early stages of planning for April 23-25 next year. Draft activities are expected to take over Point State Park and the North Shore, connected by the Allegheny River and incorporating iconic Pittsburgh sights like Acrisure Stadium.

Typically, drafts have two key locations: a main stage where the draft itself takes place and a free fan festival called the Draft Experience.

Related: NFL Seeks Local, Diverse Businesses for Pittsburgh Draft

Officials have yet to confirm specifics of how each location will be used, but documents obtained by Next Generation Newsroom reveal a more detailed picture of where draft activities could be placed.

PORTIONS OF THE RIVERFRONT, INCLUDING THE GREAT LAWN, WILL BE USED FOR THE NFL DRAFT IN 2026, ACCORDING TO A LETTER OF COMMITMENT THAT INCLUDES THIS MAP, PROVIDED THOUGH A RIGHT-TO-KNOW REQUEST FROM THE SPORTS & EXHIBITION AUTHORITY.

A stretch of North Shore Riverfront Park and the parking lots bordering West General Robinson Street by Acrisure Stadium will be provided to the NFL rent-free, according to letters of commitment obtained by Next Generation Newsroom through Right-to-Know requests.

The NFL retains the right to select its caterers, concessionaires and merchandise operators on the reserved sites, according to the letters of commitment.

Aaron Waller, executive director of the Sports & Exhibition Authority and Stadium Authority, signed both of the letters of commitment in February 2024.

PARKING LOTS ON THE CITY’S NORTH SHORE WILL BE DESIGNATED FOR USE BY THE NFL DRAFT IN 2026, ACCORDING TO A LETTER OF COMMITMENT THAT INCLUDES THIS MAP, PROVIDED THROUGH A RIGHT-TO-KNOW REQUEST FROM THE STADIUM AUTHORITY.

Pittsburgh wouldn’t be the first to give venues to the NFL rent-free. Detroit provided Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza, venues for the 2024 draft, to the NFL rent-free as a requirement of the draft agreement, said Marty Dobek, Detroit Sports Commission executive director.

How Riverfront Park will be used is still to be determined, according to people involved with planning the draft.

Since the focus is currently on Green Bay, Wisconsin’s NFL draft this coming April, many ambitious ideas discussed have yet to be fully explored: a drone show, using autonomous vehicles to drive players to the red carpet and lighting up Downtown buildings with the colors of the teams during picks, those involved with planning the draft said.

Pittsburgh won the bid to host the NFL draft, an annual event where players are selected — drawing hundreds of thousands of people.

Since the NFL moved the draft out of New York City in 2015, cities across the country compete to host the league’s largest off-season event. Last year, Detroit drew a record crowd of nearly 800,000. Green Bay will host the 2025 draft, set for April 24-26.

Now that the draft travels from city to city each year, the event also serves as a local showcase.

In Pittsburgh, that means rivers.

To get attendees between the hubs and parking at Station Square, organizers have discussed using the Gateway Clipper Fleet, according to those involved with planning the draft.

More details and final decisions on what spaces will be used will emerge in the months following the draft in Green Bay.

Pittsburgh’s history with the draft runs strong. In the ‘70s and ‘80s, Pittsburgh’s steel industry faced a sharp decline, but amid that doom and gloom, the Steelers found their footing in football — in large part thanks to drafts.

In the 1974 draft, the Steelers selected four future Hall of Famers, leading to the first of six Super Bowl wins the following year. That history played a role in the success of the city’s bid, according to those with knowledge of the bid.

The draft also received widespread and strong support from Gov. Josh Shapiro, Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey and private and nonprofit sector leaders.

And Pittsburgh is within 500 miles of 11 other NFL cities and 35 NCAA Division I football programs, meaning it’s primed to bring in a crowd.

VisitPittsburgh, the tourism agency leading the charge on draft preparation, estimates a crowd of 500,000 to 700,000 fans.

That will be a mix of residents and out-of-town visitors, said Emily Hatfield, senior director of communications for VisitPittsburgh.

“We expect that attendance on the first two peak days will largely be driven by our strong, sports-centric out-of-state markets, while day three attendance will largely be filled by locals and those throughout the surrounding region,” she said in a statement by email.

Last year, Shapiro said it’s expected to be the largest event to ever take place in Pittsburgh.

Some of Pittsburgh’s largest events in recent history averaged around 70,000 attendees for the 2022 Backyard Brawl game between University of Pittsburgh and West Virginia University and one of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour concerts in 2023.

Pittsburgh has more than 6,000 hotel rooms within walking distance of the North Shore and Point State Park, Hatfield said, with even more rooms farther from the venue and outside of the city.

Based on previous draft numbers, it’s expected to generate $120 million to $213 million in economic impact. With large events like the Taylor Swift concert, not everyone can stay close to the venue, so those benefits are expected to extend beyond the city to neighboring counties.

As for funding, the “vast majority of expenses” will be covered by the NFL, and the budget process is ongoing, Hatfield said.

Public money will be part of the mix. The City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County pledged a total of $4 million, and City Council approved a one-time payment of $1 million to VisitPittsburgh to assist in draft preparation.

The county made a commitment to use $3 million, which will come from hotel tax revenue and may only be used for marketing and tourism, said Abigail Gardner, director of communications for County Executive Sara Innamorato.

Funds from the city will be spent to enhance public safety, public works, community greening efforts and temporary infrastructure upgrades, Hatfield said previously. Businesses have committed an additional $5 million, she said.

Ahead of the draft, Pittsburgh is also seeing a slew of upgrades and repairs, including Pittsburgh International Airport’s new $1.57 billion terminal (expected to open this fall) and $3.4 million in Point State Park improvements.

This coincides with broader development and revitalization efforts Downtown. Point State Park, Market Square, and Eighth Street in the Cultural District are areas of focus for the Allegheny Conference on Community Development.

While many of those improvements were set to happen regardless, the draft has given projects a hopeful due date.

Abigail Hakas is a reporter for Next Generation Newsroom, part of the Center for Media Innovation at Point Park University. Reach her at abigail.hakas@pointpark.edu.

Kalliyan Winder is an intern for Next Generation Newsroom. Kalliyan is a third-year student at Point Park University. Reach her at krwinde@pointpark.edu.

PHOTO BY DAVE DICELLO

Maybe you’re a resident looking for a staycation, or an out-of-towner searching for accommodations near Acrisure Stadium for the big game — or the NFL Draft. The three-day event will take place April 23-25, 2026 in Pittsburgh.

Whatever the reason, Pittsburgh is filled with standout places to stay thanks to its varied mix of housing stock, which ranges from the historical to the contemporary.

And hey, just because you’re in town for some football doesn’t mean you also can’t explore other North Side destinations such as the Warhol Museum or the National Aviary. The beauty of staying in the city is there are plenty of things to see, do and eat, all within a 10-minute walk.

If that sounds like you, check out these black-and-gold-certified stays that will put you at the center of Pittsburgh’s best offerings.

Boho Chic

A Modern Oasis, North Side

PHOTO COURTESY VRBO

The renovated, boho-chic apartment is located on the North Side close to amenities such as the Andy Warhol Museum and the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh. Plus, it comes with a coveted private parking spot.

Up on the Rooftop

Strip District

PHOTO COURTESY VRBO

Near award-winning restaurants, bars and retail shops, this stylish one-bedroom apartment on Penn Avenue in the heart of the thriving Strip District comes with access to a rooftop lounge. 

Hotel Stay

The Maverick by Kasa in East Liberty

PHOTO COURTESY VRBO

 Located in a former YMCA in trendy East Liberty, The Maverick by Kasa is a stylish boutique hotel near some of the city’s best shopping and eateries, among them Blue Sky Kitchen, Margaux and Duo’s Taqueria, one of Pittsburgh Magazine’s Best New Restaurants. 

Cozy Corner

Lawrenceville

PHOTO COURTESY VRBO

The owners of Gerbe Glass just launched this well-restored row home on a quiet alley in happening Lawrenceville that’s located just one block from the restaurants, pubs and retail shops of Butler Street. 

Room with a View

Warren Castle, Fineview

PHOTO COURTESY VRBO

A historical estate with a stunning view of Downtown’s skyline, Warren Castle is located in the North Side neighborhood of Fineview near PNC Park, Acrisure Stadium and Rivers Casino. If you’re able, take the famous neighborhood steps down to the North Avenue area of the North Side and you can walk to the stadiums and other area attractions, like the Museum of Illusions or the Warhol Museum.

Iconic Incline

Mount Washington

PHOTO COURTESY VRBO

Within walking distance of the scenic overlooks of Mount Washington, this two-bedroom home is just steps away from the historical Monongahela Incline, which leads down to more fun at Pittsburgh’s Station Square.

Heart of Downtown

Three Rivers Sunset Loft, Pittsburgh

PHOTO COURTESY VRBO

A luxury loft with high ceilings in the center Downtown, the Three Rivers Sunset Loft comes with valet parking. With a view of Acrisure Stadium and Point State Park, the loft is a great place to stay if you’re in town for a football game, concert or festival. 

PHOTO BY DAVE DICELLO

Point State Park is getting prepped for the hundreds of thousands of people who are expected to descend upon Pittsburgh in 2026 for the NFL draft, as well as for festivities related to the America 250 celebration.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro this week announced $3.4 million in improvements to upgrade amenities, walkways, lighting and more in the 36-acre park. The Department of Conservation and National Resources, which manages the park, will open construction bids early next year with work scheduled to start in May. Work should be completed by spring 2026.

This will be in addition to Shapiro’s 10-year plan announced in October to revitalize Downtown Pittsburgh, which includes $25 million for longer-term projects at Point State Park. These include additional updates to the fountain and new recreational activities on the cityside lawn to draw more people to the Point in the future. The city in August celebrated the fountain’s 50th birthday.

Allegheny County, the City of Pittsburgh and the Allegheny Conference on Community Development earlier this year had targeted Point State Park as one of three areas of improvement to help revitalize Downtown. The others are Market Square and the Eighth Street block in the Cultural District.

During the construction next year, some of the park’s amenities, facilities and spaces may be closed or have limited access to the public. The Great Allegheny Passage trail, which begins next to the fountain; the Fort Pitt Museum; the Fort Pitt Blockhouse; and public restrooms will remain open. Also during this time, the park will not be able to host large events.

In addition to the three days of festivities surrounding the NFL draft, Pittsburgh also is expecting large crowds over the July Fourth weekend as America celebrates its 250th birthday.

Updates to Point State Park will be provided by the DCNR here.

PHOTO BY KALLIYAN WINDER, NEXT GENERATION NEWSROOM

Local officials have been buzzing with Steel City pride since the NFL announced Pittsburgh as the site for the 2026 draft in May.

Now a host committee, including Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, the Pittsburgh mayor, Allegheny County executive, and VisitPittsburgh, is leading decisions on how to spend up to $4 million in taxpayer money as part of an anticipated $11 million fund, in consultation with a general committee of three dozen industry and nonprofit leaders who will work under them.

The City of Pittsburgh approved $1 million to VisitPittsburgh for the draft as part of the collective fund for the event. Corporate and nonprofit sponsors are being asked to contribute $5 million, and Allegheny County might contribute $3 million, according to reports from local news outlets. VisitPittsburgh — the region’s tourist agency — also intends to put $2 million into the project, according to reports.

Cities in recent years have vied for the NFL Draft to showcase regions as a backdrop to one of the most popular events on the NFL calendar. And then there’s the potential economic boost: Experts said in Detroit, the three-day event brought about $214 million in economic impact for that city and the surrounding metro region — as well as 775,000 fans to the Motor City over that weekend.

“The economic impact from previous draft destinations has ranged between $120 [million] to upward of $213 million, and we expect Pittsburgh to be well within that range,” said Emily Hatfield, spokesperson for VisitPittsburgh.

No economic projections have been released to the public for the draft in Pittsburgh. Hatfield said a full economic impact report would not be completed until after the draft.

The request for local investment supporting the draft comes at a time of belt-tightening in the city and a proposed tax increase for the county.  

City Council approved the $1 million request championed by Mayor Ed Gainey, as an allocation to VisitPittsburgh, less than a week after Gainey said, “The next couple years of budgets will be more conservative.” Federal COVID-19 funding ends at the end of this year.

When asked specifically about ongoing spending for the draft amid the current budget, Gainey remained optimistic.  

“Hosting the NFL Draft in 2026 will allow us to showcase what makes this city so special and highlight the integral role we play in the story of this beloved sport,” he said. “We’re thankful the NFL believes in the city’s ability to host this event and provide football and sports fans alike with a memorable experience.”

In addition to his proposal to council, Gainey also sits on the Executive Pittsburgh Host Committee, the group responsible for planning the draft.  

Innamorato and Shapiro are also members of the executive committee, joined by VisitPittsburgh CEO Jerad Bachar, Steelers’ President Art Rooney II and PNC CEO William Demchak.  

Final decisions about the draft will be made by those six individuals, Hatfield said.

STEELERS PRESIDENT ART ROONEY II HAS SAID THE DRAFT IS LIKELY TO TAKE PLACE OUTSIDE OF ACRISURE STADIUM. | PHOTO SHUTTERSTOCK

“Members of the Pittsburgh Host Committee were engaged as a part of the bid process to demonstrate Pittsburgh’s broad, cross-sector local support to host an event of this size and scale and to tap the expertise of these leaders,” Hatfield said.

“This is an NFL-led event, so most expenses are covered by the League,” Hatfield said.

She said the budget will be managed by the executive committee, “with the end result in mind — a strong local return on investment.”

“We’ve had a couple of meetings, the NFL came …. they have let us know they are interested in working with the community for the community and having a lasting impact,” said Melanie Marie Boyer, executive director, Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and member of the general committee.  

The general committee is composed of representatives of Pittsburgh’s most notable corporations and nonprofits including UPMC, Amazon, Gateway Financial Group, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Highmark Health, Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh. It’s not clear how the committee was selected.  

“The NFL draft being held in Pittsburgh will certainly showcase our city and region not to mention the economic impact during the draft days.  I expect tourism to get a boost from many of the out-of-town visitors that will discover our city for the first and time and return in the future to enjoy the many attractions Pittsburgh has to offer, “said state Sen. Wayne Fontana (D-Brookline), a member of the general committee.  

Hatfield said the committee will host “several community roundtables — held in conjunction with the NFL — over the next 18 months.”  

Roundtables have not been scheduled yet, and the topics of discussion have not been announced.  

The offices of the governor and county executive referred questions about their participation on the committee to VisitPittsburgh.

Colleen Hammond is a student journalist at Next Generation Newsroom, a regional news service that focuses on government and enterprise reporting in southwestern Pennsylvania. NGN is part of the Center for Media Innovation at Point Park University.  

PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

Update: This story was updated on Jan. 23, 2025 to reflect the newly announced dates for the 2026 NFL Draft. The event will take place April 23-25, 2026.

The 2026 NFL Draft is coming to Pittsburgh.

The three-day event, announced Wednesday by the NFL, will host portions of the event in Point State Park and others at Acrisure Stadium. Pittsburgh Magazine’s Sean Collier recently asked in his column, “where could the NFL Draft take place around Pittsburgh?” We have our answer, but it’s still fun to imagine it happening at Sandcastle.

Related: Where to Stay in Pittsburgh for the 2026 NFL Draft

Draft activities throughout the Steel City will include community events, a concert series and a fan festival. The festival will be free for fans and will offer the chance to take pictures with the Vince Lombardi Trophy and get autographs from NFL players, according to a press release from the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The 2024 draft was held in Detroit and event pulled in 775,000 in-person fans, according to the Steelers. Wisconsin is next in line, as the Badger State will host the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay on April 24-26, 2025.

Related: Meet the Pittsburghers Leading Plans to Host the NFL Draft