City of Pittsburgh announces major change for 2026 NFL Draft
The 2026 NFL Draft will take over Pittsburgh from April 23 to April 25, and the city is already getting ready to handle it. The draft stage will sit on the North Shore, outside Acrisure Stadium, while the NFL Draft Experience fan festival will be at Point State Park. The Roberto Clemente Bridge will close to car traffic so fans can move between the two areas on foot.
Pittsburgh Public Schools is also making a major shift for safety and order. Schools will move to remote learning from April 22 through April 24. Students will work asynchronously, which means they will complete assignments on their own schedule.
Staff will also work remotely, and school buildings and parking lots will have limited access. MORE: 2026 NFL mock draft: Ohio State takeover & only 1 QB Superintendent Wayne Walters said per Pittsburgh’s Public Store , the move is meant to “maintain continuity of learning while recognizing the extraordinary circumstances the city will experience during the NFL Draft. ” Students with IEP and 504 plans will still receive support, and students at Conroy and Pioneer Education Centers will learn live online.
The Pennsylvania System of School Assessment exams were also rescheduled. Pittsburgh Public Schools will be closed for three days and will switch to remote learning because of the NFL Draft. With a large number of visitors expected, the goal is to keep students learning safely and effectively.
The draft is expected to draw 500,000 to 700,000… pic. twitter. com/r8hxhsrD2S — Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 20, 2026 City and regional officials are preparing for a huge crowd.