2026 NFL draft in Pittsburgh wraps up with record-setting attendance

The NFL said about 805,000 people attended the NFL draft over the three-day event. Pittsburgh leaders called it a success, saying it shows the city in a great light.

Record-setting crowds are exactly what regional leaders wanted. Pittsburghers showed up along with thousands of out-of-towners. 

"I think that's the real win for this week was how many people have left, went home to wherever they are from to talk about Pittsburgh," Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O'Connor said on Monday.

Read more here.

Ahead of the three-day event, there was a large emphasis on public safety and with hundreds of thousands of people anticipated to attend the draft, law enforcement and security officials were prepared for a number of scenarios.   

During the three days of the draft, Pittsburgh Public Safety detailed the 20 arrests that were made. 

Read the full story here.

The draft may be over, but getting Pittsburgh back to normal may take a bit of time.

The roads around the city are reopening in the opposite order that they were shut down and some closures could be around for another week. 

Read the full report here. 

With the NFL Draft having come and gone, Pittsburghers who went to the draft are hailing it a success for the city and the NFL.

The officially announced attendance for the draft was a combined three-day total of 805,000. It broke the record set by Detroit. 

There's no telling if the NFL draft will return to Pittsburgh, but the city and the NFL have shown that people will come, and they'll have a lot of fun.

Read the full report here.

With the 230th pick, and their second of two seventh-round picks, the Steelers drafted Eli Heidenreich, a Mount Lebanon, Pennsylvania, native, who was a vital part of Navy's offensive attack during his time with the Midshipmen.

He had 77 carries for 499 yards and three rushing touchdowns last season. As a receiver, he had 51 receptions for 941 yards and six receiving touchdowns.

Track all of the Steelers' picks here.

With the 224th overall pick in the seventh round, the Steelers selected Robert Spears-Jennings, a safety from Oklahoma. In four seasons, he appeared in 47 games.

Spears-Jennings recorded 59 total tackles last season with a forced fumble and one interception.

Track all of the Steelers' picks here.

With the 210th pick in the 2026 NFL draft, the Steelers have selected Notre Dame defensive lineman Gabriel Rubio.

Rubio recorded 13 total tackles, 0.5 sacks, and one pass defended in 2025.

The 6-foot-5, 322-pound lineman had his best season in 2024, recording 24 total tackles with one sack.

Track all of the Steelers' picks here.

Pittsburgh's fifth-round pick was Riley Nowakowski, a fullback-tight end hybrid out of Indiana University.

He appeared in 16 games in 2025, finishing with 32 receptions for 387 yards with two receiving touchdowns. He also had two caries, for two yards, and two rushing touchdowns.

Track all of the Steelers' picks here.

For the first pick on day three, the Steelers selected another Iowa product, this time wide receiver Kaden Wetjen. 

During his time with the Hawkeyes, he was both a wide receiver and a return specialist. In three seasons at Iowa, Wetjen returned four punts for touchdowns and two kickoffs for touchdowns. 

Track all of the Steelers' picks here. 

Before the final picks of the 2026 NFL draft had their names called, runners from across the world came to Pittsburgh for a little Saturday morning exercise. 

The PicksBURGH Draft Day 5K brought participants from 34 states and nine countries to the North Shore and Point State Park. 

It began at 8 a.m. on West General Robinson Street near PNC Park, and came to a conclusion near the Point State Park at the Gateway T Station. 

You can see my full report here!

The final day of the NFL draft is today, and there is still plenty to do around Pittsburgh. 

At 8 a.m., the PicksBURGH Draft Day 5K stepped off near PNC Park, and runners will get a look at the full draft experience during their race before finishing near Point State Park. 

There will also be music, block parties, card collector celebrations, and so much more. 

Get the full list of events at this link. 

Saturday will be soggy and windy for the final day of the NFL draft in Pittsburgh, especially in the morning. 

Most of the rain will happen in the morning hours, but the afternoon will be windy with gusts around 20mph. 

The temperatures will be steady in the low-to-mid-60s throughout the day. 

Get the full forecast here. 

The final day of the NFL draft in Pittsburgh gets going on Saturday, and it will begin at noon on the North Shore outside of Acrisure Stadium. 

If you're not coming into town, you can watch rounds 4-7 on ESPN and the NFL Network. 

So far, the Steelers have made five picks through the first three rounds, including offensive lineman Max Iheanachor, wide receiver Germie Bernard, quarterback Drew Allar, defensive back Daylen Everette, and offensive lineman Gennings Dunker. 

Today, the Steelers will have five picks: 121st overall (4th round), 161st overall (5th round), 224th overall (7th round), 230th overall (7th round), and 249th overall (7th round). 

You can track the Steelers' draft picks here. 

A detailed map shows all the road closures and traffic changes for the NFL draft on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday in Pittsburgh. Officials said the closures were "carefully planned."

Read more about road closures for the NFL draft.

Pittsburgh Regional Transit said it will operate expanded service from Thursday through Saturday, including increased light rail service to Downtown and the North Shore. People are encouraged to take public transit instead of driving. 

Read more about public transit for the NFL Draft.

The Steelers drafted Drew Allar, Daylen Everette and Gennings Dunker in the third round on Friday, closing out Day 2.

A Pittsburgh-area veteran was selected to announce the NFL draft's 250th pick during a special celebration of America's 250th anniversary.

See the full story here.

Pittsburgh police were called to break up a large gathering of juveniles at Market Square on Friday evening.

Police assigned to the area were called around 8:30 p.m. after seeing an "influx of juvenile activity in Market Square," according to a Pittsburgh police spokesperson.

Police say the crowds of juveniles became disruptive, and the decision was made to increase officer presence in the area. The Mounted Unit was also requested to the scene. 

Officers encouraged the juveniles to exit the area, and the juveniles eventually complied, leaving without incident.

Police will continue to monitor the area for any further disruptions.

As Day 2 of the draft winds down, KDKA's Tory Wegerski created a mosaic with pictures from the 2026 NFL draft.

The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard in the second round of the NFL draft on Friday.

Here's everything to know about the team's newest wide receiver.

At Pittsburgh's Acrisure Stadium on Friday afternoon, the American Heart Association teamed up with the NFL to set a world record. 

It was all in an effort to teach hands-only CPR. See the full story here.

Pittsburgh-area natives Bret Michaels and Wiz Khalifa performed at the NFL draft ahead of the second and third rounds on Friday. 

"No matter what the vibe is, everyone is just going to be able to enjoy the music," one Wiz Khalifa super fan said, calling Pittsburgh "the best city in the world." 

Pittsburgh Steelers fans say they're ready to welcome first-round pick Max Iheanachor to the city.

Fans were upset they got beat out by the Eagles, who snagged Makai Lemon, but they said they're excited to see what Iheanachor has to offer. 

"You know we got beat out by the Eagles, can't blame them, but that's how the draft works so I'm excited to see what he does and looking forward to a great season with him," one fan said.   

"In the Pittsburgh fashion, I want to welcome him to Pittsburgh and tell him we bleed black and gold, so we welcome him and we hope that he does well because when he does well, we do well," another fan said. 

Friday is day two of the NFL draft, and fans are still flooding into Pittsburgh, many of them now reacting to what their teams did in Round 1.

KDKA-TV spent the day talking to fans across the city, and whether they loved the picks or hated them, one thing is clear: this weekend is bigger than just football.

From the moment the first names came off the board, fans had opinions. Cheers, second guesses, and full-on debates were playing out in real time.

Some fans who spoke with KDKA-TV said their team didn't have a first-round pick, meaning all eyes are on what's next during Day 2.

Still, no matter the pick, fans say just being in Pittsburgh for the draft is worth it.

"It's great to be around like-minded fans. The energy, atmosphere for the area," one fan said.

Point State Park is scheduled to remain open until 10 p.m. Friday.

Day 2 of the draft had thousands of people back on the North Shore and Point State Park. 

"The draft is like Mardi Gras," Jay Nash of North Carolina said. "You've got fans coming together and having a good time. It isn't about who's winning or losing. Everybody is enjoying the company."

And there are plenty of things for fans to do, including lots of photo ops. Near the casino, there are giant helmets and jersey cutouts for people to pose with.  

The museum in the SportsWorks building has displays that include more than just the Steelers. Super Bowl rings, locker room setups and Hall of Fame busts show a little of the league's history.

"It's phenomenal," Ken Trimber of Beaver County said. "It's wonderful. It's wonderful seeing Pittsburgh showing so well. Like last night, it looked gorgeous on TV. It makes you proud to be here from all your life."

KDKA-TV's Mamie Bah was live at Point State Park for the NFL draft-themed fashion show, "From Our Runway to Yours: A Black & Gold Welcome."

See the interview with producer Demeatria Boccella and designer Kiya Tomlin here.

Pittsburgh Regional Transit's park-and-ride lots are filling up.

Some lots like Washington Junction, Dormont Junction, Mt. Lebanon and Bell are full. And while not as many lots are at capacity like they were on Thursday, they're getting there. If you plan on using a park-and-ride lot, check PRT's alerts before you head out. 

Thousands of people are on the North Shore for Day 2 of the NFL draft, and while there's still a crowd, it appears some of the excitement has settled down after the first round on Thursday night. 

With more than 300,000 people in the city for night one of the NFL draft, local healthcare providers issued an update on the number of people treated. 

According to UPMC, they treated 84 patients at Point State Park, 59 near the draft theater on the North Shore, and 31 inside Acrisure Stadium.

UPMC said the majority of the cases were heat and dehydration-related, and some patients were treated for either exacerbation of chronic conditions or minor injuries. 

Meanwhile, Allegheny Health Network reported that they treated approximately 10 people for minor illnesses or injuries at Allegheny General Hospital, their AHN Downtown Express Care, and their AHN mobile clinic treated a total of 35 people for minor conditions. 

After being selected by the Steelers 21st overall in the first round, Max Iheanachor arrived in Pittsburgh. 

The Steelers are expected to introduce Iheanachor officially later today. 

The first day of the NFL draft in Pittsburgh set an attendance record, according to the NFL. 

The league said that Pittsburgh broke the round one attendance record with more than 320,000 fans attending the event on the North Shore. 

The previous record was set in Detroit in 2024 when more than 275,000 fans attended day one. 

Read more here. 

After selecting Max Iheanachor 21st overall in the first round of the NFL draft on Thursday night, the Steelers will make more picks on Friday night. 

Going into day two of the draft, the Steelers, pending any trades, will make four picks on Friday. 

The Steelers will have one pick in the second round, 53rd overall, and three picks in the third round, 76th, 85th, and 99th overall. 

You can find the full slate of picks here. 

Friday is day two of the NFL draft in Pittsburgh, and it will be the last unseasonably warm day for the month with highs in the low 80s. 

Chances for rain will be scattered to isolated with some thunderstorm activity possible, but most of the day will be dry. 

Any rain won't last longer than 20 minutes, but the highest chance comes from 1 p.m. through 9 p.m.

Get the full forecast here.

With hundreds of thousands of people in attendance for the first round of the NFL draft, a PRT spokesperson said things went "pretty well" from a transit perspective.

Pittsburgh Regional Transit deputy chief communications officer Adam Brandolph said that the real test of the day was always going to be getting the masses of people home on Thursday night and that the system was taxed as a result.

"Still, we were able to clear the North Side T platform about an hour after the Draft ended and the Football Flyers cleared the vast majority of fans from the North Side about a half hour after that," Brandolph said.

PRT is expecting another busy day on Friday for the second night of the draft. 

After a record-setting first day of the NFL draft in Pittsburgh, the event rolls on into the weekend. 

Along with rounds 2 and 3 of the draft taking place on Friday at 7 p.m., there will be plenty to do around the city before the next group of players has their names called. 

The NFL Draft Experience at Point State Park opens at noon, a block party begins at 9 a.m. at Arts Landing, and more music will be live across the city. 

Get the full list of events here. 

The Steelers' first-round pick from Thursday night was one of the best offensive lineman in college football last year at Arizona State.

Here are some more photos from his time with the Sun Devils. 

The NFL shared a time-lapse video showing the construction of the draft stage in Pittsburgh outside Acrisure Stadium. The project took weeks, as crews worked day and night to complete the job. Work started on March 31 and finished on Wednesday. 

Watch the video here.

Before Round 1 kicked off, football fans from around the world spent the day exploring Pittsburgh.

From the NFL Draft Experience to visitors' thoughts on Pittsburgh, you can watch KDKA's full coverage here. 

In the first round of the 2025 NFL draft in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the Steelers selected Oregon defensive lineman Derrick Harmon at 21st overall.

He battled injuries in his first season in Pittsburgh, but still managed to play 12 games, including making eight starts. His rookie season highlights included tallying 27 tackles and 3 sacks. He will look to build on his solid rookie season to become a bigger contributor in 2026. 

The Steelers selected Arizona State offensive tackle Max Iheanachor in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft. The offensive lineman has only been playing football since 2021, but he worked his way to become one of the best offensive tackles in college football last season. 

Read more about his story here.

A partial structural collapse of a concrete beam on the first floor of a parking garage on Anderson Street on the North Shore caused minor damage to a few vehicles, a spokesperson for Pittsburgh Public Safety said.

No one was injured, but first responders were called to the scene around 8:45 p.m. Currently, nobody is allowed into the parking garage. 

Authorities didn't release any other information. 

Photos from the red carpet showed the best-dressed prospects at the NFL draft in Pittsburgh on Thursday night. The players showed off their sense of style ahead of the first round, when they hope to hear their name called. 

Find all the must-see outfits here.

At the top of the Duquesne Incline on Thursday afternoon, Tom Tighe was shaking hands and guiding visitors from around the world on their trip to the Steel City.

To one person, he suggested a nice spot to eat, and to another, he offered directions, providing a friendly face for football fans converging on the city for the NFL draft. 

"They come in from out of town and around the world, make them feel at home," Tighe told KDKA.

When he learned the Draft was coming to Pittbsurgh, the board member for the community group Neighbors on the Mount partnered up with Michael Carlin of the Mount Washington Community Development Corporation to get a group of ambassadors to welcome out-of-towners at the Duquesne and Mon inclines.

"People who maybe have only seen parts of Pittsburgh when they watch a Steeler game on TV or something like that, it's a chance for them to come and really experience the city firsthand," Carlin told KDKA.

The Draft Theater outside Acrisure Stadium on the North Shore is at capacity, a spokesperson for Pittsburgh Public Safety said. If people leave the event, the NFL will let more people in. 

But until that happens, the Draft Theater is at capacity. 

Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza from Indiana was selected first overall by the Las Vegas Raiders. The quarterback did not come to Pittsburgh for the draft. He is spending the night with his family in Florida. 

The first round of the 2026 NFL draft is underway in Pittsburgh. The Las Vegas Raiders are on the clock.

From kicking field goals to running the 40-yard dash to standing face-to-face with the Vince Lombardi Trophy, fans aren't just watching the draft, they're making a trip out of it. 

KDKA talked to fans from Alberta, Canada, and Albuquerque, New Mexico. And not everybody has traveled far. Five guys who randomly crossed paths at the bus stop on Thursday morning realized two of them graduated high school together decades ago. 

"Just the atmosphere so far has been crazy, just to see how many people are here, but this is definitely one for the history books," one fan said. 

All around Point State Park, fans spent the day connecting, reconnecting and rallying around the game they love. Because whether they came from across the city or across the continent, it all leads to Pittsburgh this week. 

Pittsburgh parking operators are grappling with a supply and demand problem. It appears that people listened to the pleas of leaders to use public transit to get to the NFL draft, leaving empty spots in garages and lots.

Rivers Casino said it has seen a "relaxed" demand for parking spaces, so it's dropping its rate from $250 a day to $100 a day for Thursday and Friday. Alco Parking will also follow suit, slashing its prices on the North Shore for Friday. 

Fans from all over have traveled to Pittsburgh to celebrate their love for the sport of football at the NFL draft. 

You can see photos below that capture the excitement ahead of Round 1 of the NFL draft in Pittsburgh here.

Multiple events are happening around the city before the NFL draft officially kicks off at 8 p.m. They include a block party, live music, and the Draft Experience at Point State Park.

You can get a full list of events at this link. 

Arts Landing, a new green space and playground in the heart of the Cultural District, is hosting a block party for fans of the University of Pittsburgh Athletics.

The 4-acre space is also a concert space that will host the Arts Festival. Thursday's Pitt block party is for football lovers and the rest of the community. 

"I'm a Pitt alumni, I'm excited to check out the Pitt block party," Kelly Kotroco said. 

Workers at Allegheny Health Network's mobile health command center are making sure anyone who needs medical care at the draft can get it.  

Louis Baverso, the CEO of AHN, said they have medical teams at Point State Park as well as the North Side. And when it comes to caring for fans, health providers are all on one team.

"We're all working through the southwestern coalition, which is a group that is representative of all the health care organizations in southwestern Pa. to include local EMS, so we are in constant communication with them," Baverso explained. " We're also connected to the Allegheny County command center."

Hours ahead of the first pick in the draft, the NFL teamed up with the Pittsburgh Steelers to combat homelessness in the Steel City.

More than 50 volunteers gathered around rows of tables packing toothbrushes, shampoos, soap and other toiletry items to give back to those in need. Alongside them were Steelers players Alex Highsmith, Payton Wilson, Will Howard and Wyatt Black.

Over 2,000 bags were packed Thursday afternoon in support of four organizations in the Pittsburgh region, including Pittsburgh's Mercy Operation Safety Net, Light of Life Rescue Mission, the Homeless Children's Education Fund and the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.

To boost support for the four organizations, Goodell announced that the NFL donated $10,000 to each. 

"Today is a great example of how, by working together, we can make a difference in people's lives," said Lisa Scales, the president and CEO of the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.

The scene at the Monroeville Mall park-and-ride was lots of people and lots of vehicles on Thursday.

Shortly before noon, a sign went up saying the lot of over 100 spaces near the Dick's Sporting Goods was full, causing a slight panic for some fans who were still arriving.

But according to Pittsburgh Regional Transit officials, sometime just after noon, the NFL rented several hundred more spots near the JCPenney for fans to fill.

Though it's a bit of a walk to the buses with a hill in the middle, most people said they found a spot without a problem. 

If you are coming down and using a park and ride at the NFL Draft, give yourself a little extra time and check the PRT website for up-to-date information.

Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, one of the top prospects in the 2026 NFL draft, found himself caught off balance when he drove through the Fort Pitt tunnel earlier this week.

"Nice views, nice views," Love said on Wednesday, less than 36 hours before Thursday night's first round. "When you came out of that little tunnel or whatever, I don't know what the tunnel's called, but you kind of just saw the whole city. So that view was really nice."

The line to get fans into the Draft Experience at Point State Park is moving. 

Photos and videos showed a massive line right after the gates opened, but the wait is now minimal. 

Fans thinking about using Pittsburgh Regional Transit's park-and-ride lots may have to come up with a different plan.

PRT has been putting out alerts on the social media platform X, saying park-and-rides at places like Crafton Station, Bell, Potomac Junction, Mt. Lebanon, McCandless and Washington Junction are full. So be sure to check before you go.

The NFL draft fan experience area is officially open in Pittsburgh, and fans from across the country have arrived in Pittsburgh. 

Tonight, the actual NFL draft stage will open to the public around 5 p.m., but as of Thursday afternoon, all of the fan experience areas are open. 

Whether it's from out west, down south, or all across the country, they're here and having fun. 

The NFL draft itself is expected to start at 8 p.m. 

Not every player whose name is called in the NFL draft is in attendance at the event. This year in Pittsburgh is no different. 

Several players won't be on the North Shore when their names are called, including the presumed first-overall pick, Fernando Mendoza. Mendoza said he will be watching the event with friends and family in Miami. 

In total, 257 players will be drafted over three days in Pittsburgh, and only 16 will be in attendance. 

Read more here. 

With a league-high 12 picks in the 2026 NFL draft, the Steelers' front office will be busy this weekend. 

While the team did address some needs during free agency, they still have five picks within the top 100 of the draft. 

The Steelers will likely be looking at both sides of the ball in this draft, but specifically offense. 

Read more here.

Right outside of PNC Park at the corner of Federal Street and West General Robinson Street, multiple "Football Flyers" have been dropping fans off for the NFL draft. 

The "Football Flyers" are just one of many ways Pittsburgh Regional Transit has been getting people to the North Shore and downtown for the weekend. 

Two people in town for the Draft from Arizona that KDKA spoke with said they took the 99E to the North Shore from Monroeville Mall. 

They said the trip took about 45 minutes, with one — David Kruper of Mesa, Ariz. — calling it "fairly easy."

The excitement for the NFL draft has been building for months, and for one fan, getting to Pittsburgh first was his top priority. 

Maxwell Elliott from Dover, Pa., got to Point State Park at 6:30 on Thursday morning. 

For him, it was about celebrating the game of football. 

"It's really cool to connect with people, even though we're not in the same fanbase," he said. 

"This has been the best conversation," another fan alongside Maxwell added. 

Maxwell said that it was about meeting players, meeting fans, and creating new experiences during a unique event. 

Just outside of Point State Park this weekend, a massive projection screen will show some of the draft picks, but it comes with a twist. 

The screen is the face of the Wyndham Grand Hotel. 

It's a light show powered by 24 laser projectors, delivering more than 750,000 lumens of light across 41,000 square feet and 578 windows. 

"It's going to be a version of what you see on the screen here, you may see the artwork that college player and then in a way we may overlay the team that they were drafted to," said Chris Stackhouse, Head of Global Brand Experience with the NFL. "So it's a way of interpreting what is happening on the stage through the graphics here."

You can see the projection as it was revealed to the public here. 

The NFL draft area at Point State Park is set to open at noon on Thursday, but many NFL fans want to get in on the action early. 

More than two hours before the fan zone was set to open, fans were seen lining up outside of Point State Park

More details and a list of events at Point State Park this weekend can be found here. 

Commuters coming into Pittsburgh this week during the NFL draft will need to pay attention to traffic, road closures and changes to public transit. 

If you need to drive into the city for work or you usually take public transit, here's what to know.   

Authorities are urging people to take public transit during the NFL draft, but there are some parking options for fans who want to drive. 

The NFL says it doesn't control parking lot inventory or parking rates, so visitors should expect garages and lots to fill quickly, and fans may have to shell out some cash to snag a spot. 

Here's what you need to know about parking.

As more and more people head into Pittsburgh for the NFL draft, real-time traffic will be top of mind for many. 

One of the places drivers and visitors can track traffic around the city is 511PA. 

You can track road conditions, traffic, and more at this link. 

The Pittsburgh Steelers are offering a unique and immersive experience during the NFL draft called "Steelers Country." 

It includes a Steelers Nation Unite bar, a 1970s-style fan cave resembling a Pittsburgh basement, and replicas of the Steelers' six Super Bowl rings. 

The 12,000-square-foot interactive space will be located at Point State Park.

You can check out my exclusive look here. 

Even though the NFL draft in Pittsburgh will be an outdoor event, the NFL has said that fans will have to go through "airport level screening" at the entrances. 

Some bags will be allowed inside the draft area, and security screenings begin at noon on Thursday and Friday, and then again at 9 a.m. on Saturday. 

For a full list of what items are and aren't allowed, click here. 

As thousands descend upon Pittsburgh on Thursday evening for the first day of the NFL draft, the weather is going to cooperate.

Rain chances are isolated, and temperatures will be in the high 70s to the mid-60s throughout the day and into the evening. 

You can get the full forecast for today and the weekend right here. 

Heading into the NFL draft tonight, the Steelers have a league-high 12 picks throughout the weekend. 

For the first round, however, the Steelers will pick at 21. 

In the rest of the draft, the Steelers will have one pick in the second round, three picks in the third round, two picks in the fourth round, one pick in the fifth round, one pick in the sixth round, and three picks in the seventh round. 

You can find the full draft order right here. 

The NFL draft is tonight in Pittsburgh, and while there are plenty of festivities happening around the city, the actual event begins at 8 p.m.

If you aren't heading into the city to see it live and in person, all three days of the NFL Draft will be available to watch on ABC, ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and the NFL Network.

Get more information about start times, where to watch, and more here. 

The Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office said that counterfeit NFL merchandise was seized from Pittsburgh's Strip District.

The merchandise seized appeared to include hats, sunglasses, blankets and more.

Read the full story here.

Market Square is back open after getting a $15 million makeover just in time for the NFL draft.

Watch more here.

Vendors that were chosen to be part of the NFL draft as well as Pittsburgh businesses say they're excited to welcome the rush of people to Downtown and the North Shore.

Watch more here. 

Fans are touching down at the Pittsburgh International Airport ahead of the draft, with some of them coming from as far as Germany.

Read more here.

Stahls, a company with roots in western Pennsylvania, works quickly on the first night of the draft to print names on the jerseys of the attendees. 

"We have under two minutes to decorate that jersey and hand it to the commissioner to give to the player on stage," said Zach Ellsworth, senior vice president of enterprise business operations at Stahls'. 

If the NFL draft is making you feel overwhelmed, KDKA's John Shumway breaks down where to enter and exit for the events on the North Shore and at Point State Park. 

Officials are urging people not to drive, and a map shows how fans can use public transit to get around. 

Pittsburgh Regional Transit says it's expanding its service from Thursday to Saturday, helping move people to, from and between the draft and its events. The footprint takes up Point State Park in Downtown Pittsburgh and part of the North Shore, with the two sites separated by a river.  

The NFL draft is free to attend. However, fans have to register through the NFL OnePass app or by going to NFL.com/DraftAccess. 

No ticket is required. After registering, fans will receive a QR code in the OnePass app that will grant them entry. 

Read more here.

The 2026 NFL draft begins Thursday, bringing with it extensive road closures across the city.

The third and most impactful phase of road closures went into effect Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.

A map of the closures around the city can be found here.

Pittsburgh Public Safety said that pets won't be permitted within the NFL draft's event boundaries.

The pet policy won't apply to service animals. 

"Help us keep the event safe for everyone, including our furry friends, and leave your pets safely at home," Public Safety said.

Allegheny County said its public works department has been busy getting the three "Sister Bridges" over the Allegheny River ready for draft.

Crews spent time painting over graffiti, repairing the bridges' lighting system, picking up litter, and sweeping the roadway.

A temporary flight restriction, or TFR, will be in place during the NFL draft events on Pittsburgh's North Shore and in Point State Park.

The FBI said that anyone found operating a drone near the events will face severe criminal and civil penalties.

Read the full story here.

Pittsburgh is gearing up for "Nothin' but a Good Time" at the NFL draft, and on Tuesday, western Pennsylvania natives Bret Michaels and KELS talked about their upcoming free performances. 

Poison lead singer and Butler native Bret Michaels and national anthem singer and Gibsonia native KELS met with members of the media on Tuesday to preview what fans will get to experience this week during the NFL Draft Entertainment Series.

Read more here. 

A Brashear High School teacher and student are announcing the Buffalo Bills' fifth-round draft pick.

Watch more here. 

Ahead of the NFL draft in Pittsburgh, law enforcement and community advocates are working to raise awareness about the increased risks of sexual violence and human trafficking that they say can come with mass gatherings.

Pittsburgh Action Against Rape is reminding people to look out for one another and speak up when something isn't right. 

Read more here.

If you are looking for events and activities during the NFL draft, a map from Visit Pittsburgh shows where everything is going on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Click here to find the map.

Here's a look at every Pittsburgh Steelers draft pick under general manager Omar Khan, who took over following the 2022 NFL draft. 

Click here to see his full draft history. 

While all eyes will be on the No. 1 pick at this year's NFL draft, on Friday night, Heinz is going to be serving up draft pick 57 to the world.

Pittsburgh is Heinz's hometown, and they're the official condiment of the NFL. Since the number 57 is synonymous with the brand, the corporation says it seems only right to sponsor the 57th pick in the draft.

Read more here.

No detail is too small when it comes to preparing Pittsburgh to host the NFL draft. That includes picking up trash and planting some greenery in our neighborhoods.

KDKA's Megan Shinn shares more about the Immaculate Collection.

Pittsburgh Public Safety, Pittsburgh Public Schools, and other community organizations are turning their attention to young people, ensuring they stay safe and engaged during the draft.

Read the full story here.

Visitors will soon be arriving in Pittsburgh for the NFL draft. When they touch down at the Pittsburgh International Airport, they'll have the chance for an NFL draft-themed photo op. 

Watch more here. 

Point State Park is transforming into the NFL Draft Experience — a three-day fan festival featuring plenty of activities.

Fans can take photos with the Steelers' Vince Lombardi Trophies, get autographs from current and former NFL players and buy food and beverages.

You can take a look at Point State Park here.

The Gateway Clipper Fleet will shuttle NFL draft attendees between North Shore and Point State Park later this week. 

Before making plans, click here to find out about the schedule, cost and more. 

There is a genuine concern about the potential for gridlock if everyone tries to drive into Pittsburgh for the event, so transit officials are playing the biggest card they can -- reminding people that the light-rail system that locals know as the "T" and the "Football Flyer" bus routes will be free.

Read the full story here.

Pittsburgh's tourism chief hopes to ease Pittsburghers' concerns about the NFL draft, saying they shouldn't be scared to come downtown because the expected crowd sizes are nothing new for the city.

Read the full story here.

You can watch his predictions and more in this week's episode of NFL Draft Command. 

A company that specializes in transportation with golf carts is making a big push to be ready for the NFL draft.

Shawn Gray, who owns Gray Hare Express, says he has only slept for three out of 84 hours going into Friday morning. And it might not get any better for a while as his company prepares to cart around fans and VIPs coming into town for the draft next week. 

Read more here.