Weather update (Apr 21): Current forecast for draft weekend:
- Thursday (Apr 23): Clear, low 70s dropping to upper 60s, no rain expected.
- Friday (Apr 24): Low 70s, slight chance of evening showers.
- Saturday (Apr 25): Rain likely, possible thunder. Pack a poncho.
Umbrellas are banned at the draft. Bring a rain poncho or packable rain jacket instead. Check the latest forecast before you head out each day. Read our full rain plan for Saturday strategy.
Before You Leave Home
Download the NFL OnePass app and register (required for free entry)
Book your hotel if you haven't already (prices are only going up)
Pre-book parking on SpotHero if you're driving (or skip parking entirely. ALL T rides are free April 23-25 thanks to Sheetz)
Download the Ready2Ride app if you want the $25 Draft Pass (7 days unlimited PRT rides including buses)
Download the Transit app for real-time PRT bus and T arrival times (works better than Google Maps for Pittsburgh transit)
Check the road closure map. Several bridges and I-279 exits are closed
Charge your portable battery pack (you'll need it)
Check the weather forecast for Pittsburgh April 23-25
Screenshot or save the park-and-ride directions for your approach
Make dinner reservations if you want a sit-down meal (everywhere will be packed)
What to Pack
Must-Haves
Clear bag (12x6x12 max for Acrisure Stadium, 16x16x6 for Point State Park). Buy one on Amazon for $8, don't pay $25 at the event
Portable phone charger (10,000mAh minimum). This is Reddit's #1 tip. With 500K people on temporary cell towers, your phone works overtime searching for signal, draining 2-3x faster than normal. Add OnePass running constantly, photos, maps, and rideshare apps. You WILL hit 0% without a backup battery. Bring two if you can.
Comfortable walking shoes. You'll walk 5-10 miles per day between venues
Layers. April in Pittsburgh can be 45 or 75 degrees. Seriously. Pack for both.
Rain jacket or poncho. It's an outdoor event and April showers are real
Your phone with OnePass installed and your account set up
Smart Additions
Sunscreen. If it's a clear day, you're outside for hours
Sunglasses and a hat
Water bottle (refill stations will be available)
Snacks. Food lines will be long and $15 beers add up
Credit card. The entire Draft Experience is cashless. No cash accepted anywhere inside the event.
Your team's jersey or gear (this is a football event, rep your team)
Rain poncho or light rain jacket. Umbrellas are banned by the NFL.
Leave at Home
Large bags, backpacks, or purses (won't pass security)
Coolers, outside food/drinks into the event areas
Chairs, blankets, tents
Cigarettes/e-cigarettes (entire campus is smoke-free)
Drones
Weapons of any kind
Bag Policy
The two draft venues have different bag rules. Read this so you don't get turned away at the gate.
Draft Theater (North Shore)
- Clear bags only, max 12" x 12" x 6"
- Small clutch purses (4.5" x 6.5") are OK
- No professional cameras
- No backpacks or non-clear bags
Draft Experience (Point State Park)
- Clear bags only, max 16" x 16" x 6"
- Small clutch purses (4.5" x 6.5") are OK
- No professional cameras
- No backpacks or non-clear bags
Pro tip: If you're going to both venues (and you probably are), size your bag for the stricter Stadium policy. A 12x12x6 clear bag works at both locations.
Register for OnePass Now
OnePass registration is required for free entry. Don't wait until you're in line. Register now at NFL.com/DraftAccess or download the NFL OnePass app from the App Store or Google Play. Create your account, register for the event, and you're set.
Why this matters: The app drains your battery fast with 500,000 people on the same cell towers. Get it set up at home on Wi-Fi, not standing in a crowd with 3% battery.
Day-Of Checklist
Phone charged to 100%
Portable charger fully charged
OnePass app open and working
Clear bag packed with essentials
Check weather one more time. Adjust layers
Eat a real meal before you go (food at the event is expensive and lines are long)
Know your parking/transit plan (don't wing it). Remember ALL T rides are FREE
Screenshot your return transit route. Cell signal will be weak with 200K people around you
Watch out for scams. BBB warns about fake tickets, counterfeit merchandise, and rental fraud. The draft is FREE. If someone is selling tickets, it's a scam.
Tell someone where you're going and when you expect to be back
Key Times to Remember
Wednesday, April 22
Opening Night | PicksBURGH Music Crawl (13 venues, 4:45 PM) | Nelly at The Plaza ($43, 6 PM) | Market Square Grand Reopening
Thursday, April 23
Gates: 12:00 PM | Round 1: 8:00 PM ET | KELS sings anthem (FREE) | Steve Aoki at The Plaza (12 PM, ticketed)
Friday, April 24
Gates: 12:00 PM | Rounds 2-3: 7:00 PM ET | Wiz Khalifa + Bret Michaels at 5:15 PM (FREE) | Drone show after picks
Saturday, April 25
Gates: 9:00 AM | Rounds 4-7: 12:00 PM ET | PicksBURGH 5K | Kane Brown (FREE) | 2 Chainz at The Plaza (6 PM, ticketed)
T, Football Flyer, and Mon Incline All FREE April 23-25
From North: Ross Park & Ride (I-279 Exit 5), Football Flyer 99N, 25 min, FREE
From South: South Hills Village T Station, ride the T for free, 35 min, FREE
From East: Monroeville Mall, Football Flyer 99E on the East Busway, FREE
From West/Airport: University Blvd P&R, Football Flyer 99W, FREE (or 28X bus)
From Butler County: Zelienople Route 528 park-and-ride, Butler Transit every 30 min to Ross Park lot ($10 round trip, exact cash)
Sheetz covers the T and Monongahela Incline. The Pittsburgh Organizing Committee and The Pittsburgh Foundation cover all four Football Flyer buses (99N, 99E, 99S, 99W). No ticket, no pass, just hop on.
Flying in? Look for the draft photo ops
Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) has NFL Draft-themed photo opportunities set up for arriving visitors throughout draft week. Good for a quick social post on the way to your hotel. Easiest transit from PIT: 28X bus to downtown, then the T or Football Flyer from there (all free during the draft).
Quick Reference Links
Parking Guide
Park-and-ride locations, pricing, road closures
Full Schedule
Round times, bag policy, OnePass details
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Hour-by-hour plan for each day
Where to Eat
Restaurants and bars by neighborhood
Watch Parties
17 verified events across Pittsburgh
Where to Stay
Hotels from $120/night, plus alternatives
You're ready.
Bookmark this page and check it the night before you head to Pittsburgh. Have an amazing draft weekend.