Pittsburgh Steelers submit bid to host NFL Draft in 2026 or 2027
The Steelers want in on all the NFL Draft fun. On Friday, the team announced that it had officially bid to host the league draft festivities for either 2026 or 2027.
The news was expected. Word broke back in November that Pittsburgh wanted to play host to the three-day NFL party that could generate millions of dollars for the local economy. And the league seems to be on a Midwestern swing for at least the next two years.
The Steelers announced the news via social media. Backed by lots of dramatic music, the team shared a video showing a click that sent the application to the NFL offices.
NFL Draft is worth a ton of money
So why host the draft? Well, it’s a giant three-day festival with lots and lots of buildup. Money and attention always are an attractive combo for NFL teams like the Steelers.
In November, Steelers spokesperson Burt Lauten confirmed that the team wanted the draft.
“We believe our city will be an excellent host to showcase the great history that connects Western Pennsylvania to the early roots of professional football and the evolution of the game through the decades,” Lauten said in a statement to the media.
“The NFL draft will draw hundreds of thousands of fans and out-of-town visitors,” Lauten added. “And we look forward to working with local and state officials and community leaders to ensure we craft a successful bid to host the 2026 or 2027 NFL draft.”
The red-hot Lions will host the draft in April. Count on thousands of fans watching it in person to see if Caleb Williams goes No. 1. Detroit finished as runner up for the NFC title and one step away from the Super Bowl.
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Up until a decade ago, the NFL kept its annual draft in New York, where the league has its offices. The NFL began televising the draft in 1980. And now it’s a tradition to help bridge the long gap between now and when preseason training camps start in July.
The league decided to allow other host cities to be part of the draft action starting in 2015. Chicago was the first site. The Chiefs hosted last year. And now, maybe it will be the Steelers.
| 2015 | Chicago |
| 2016 | Chicago |
| 2017 | Philadelphia |
| 2018 | Dallas |
| 2019 | Nashville |
| 2020 | Virtual |
| 2021 | Cleveland |
| 2022 | Las Vegas |
| 2023 | Kansas City |
| 2024 | Detroit |
| 2025 | Green Bay |
City anticipates draft could be worth more than $160 million
Jerad Bachar, president and CEO of VisitPITTSBURGH, told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette last fall that the Steelers hosting the draft could generate an economic impact of up to $160 million.
The KC Sports Commission said the NFL Draft was worth $164 million to their city last April.
“That’s substantial, having an impact like that for our city and our other businesses,” Bachar told the Post-Gazette.
The Steelers likely will stage the draft near the Steelers home place, Acrisure Stadium. City officials indicated that they will send a delegation to Detroit for this year’s festivities.
So Pittsburgh, maybe you will be on the clock.