2026 NFL Draft: Date, location, how to watch, top prospects

The 2026 NFL Draft will mark the 91st edition of the event, and, for the second time in history, be hosted in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The Steel City, home to one of the NFL’s most iconic franchises in the Pittsburgh Steelers, will welcome hundreds of thousands of fans, NFL personnel, coaches, scouts and draft prospects in April 2026.

You’d have to go back more than three-quarters of a century for the last time Pittsburgh hosted the NFL Draft. In December 1947, the draft was held at Fort Pitt Hotel and saw halfback Harry Gilmer chosen by Washington as the top overall pick. At that time, the draft consisted of 32 rounds and 300 total selections.

The 2026 draft will look and feel much different, as the event has blossomed into one of the most anticipated fan experiences on the sports calendar. More than 775,000 fans attended the 2024 draft in Detroit, with another 50 million viewers watching across the globe.

After being held in New York City each year from 1965 to 2014, the draft has gone to a new city each year since 2016, with Pittsburgh joining the list following fellow rust-belt cities Detroit (2024) and Green Bay (2025).

Let’s get into all you need to know about the 2026 NFL Draft.

When is the 2026 NFL Draft?

The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled to begin on Thursday, April 23, 2026, and run over three days until Saturday, April 25.

Where is the 2026 NFL Draft?

The 2026 NFL Draft will take place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

While an exact venue for the draft has not been announced, the event is "expected to incorporate elements of Pittsburgh's North Shore and Point State Park, as well as Acrisure Stadium," according to Visit Pittsburgh.

Where to watch 2026 NFL Draft, TV channel and streaming

The 2026 NFL Draft will be broadcast on ESPN, ABC and NFL Network.

Who are the top prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft?

The below list of some of the top prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft is expected to change throughout the 2025/26 college football season.

• QB Fernando Mendoza (Indiana)

• LB Arvell Reese (Ohio State

• S Caleb Downs (Ohio State)

• DE Rueben Bain Jr. (Miami)

• QB Trinidad Chambliss (Ole Miss)

• OT Francis Mauigoa (Miami)

• DE Keldric Faulk (Auburn)

• RB Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame)

• WR Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State)

• WR Carnell Tate (Ohio State)

• DE LT Overton (Alabama)

• OT Kadyn Proctor (Alabama)

• QB Ty Simpson (Alabama)

2026 NFL Draft First Round Picks

1. Las Vegas Raiders

2. New York Jets

3. Arizona Cardinals

4. Tennessee Titans

5. New York Giants

6. Cleveland Browns

7. Washington Commanders

8. New Orleans Saints

9. Kansas City Chiefs

10. New York Giants

11. Miami Dolphins

12. Dallas Cowboys

13. Los Angeles Rams

14. Baltimore Ravens

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

16. New York Jets

17. Detroit Lions

18. Minnesota Vikings

19. Carolina Panthers

20. Dallas Cowboys

21. Pittsburgh Steelers

22. Los Angeles Chargers

23. Philadelphia Eagles

24. Cleveland Browns

25. Chicago Bears

26. Buffalo Bills

27. San Francisco 49ers

28. Houston Texans

29. Kansas City Chiefs

30. Miami Dolphins

31. New England Patriots

32. Seattle Seahawks