Quick Answer
There are no tickets. Admission is free. You just need to register on the NFL OnePass app before you arrive. The draft runs April 23-25 at two venues connected by the Roberto Clemente Bridge: the Draft Theater at Acrisure Stadium on the North Shore and the Draft Experience at Point State Park downtown. Both are a 0.3-mile walk apart. Hours are Thursday and Friday 12 PM to 10 PM, Saturday 9 AM to 6 PM.
The Ticket Confusion, Cleared Up
Most people searching "NFL Draft Pittsburgh tickets" expect a checkout page. There isn't one. Here's why.
The 2026 NFL Draft is free. You register through the NFL OnePass app, get a QR code, and walk in. No credit card, no paper ticket, no email confirmation with barcodes. The NFL learned from Detroit 2024 (775,000 attendees) that a crowd that big can't move through a paid gate fast enough. Free plus digital QR is what you get.
There are two exceptions where a real ticket exists:
- VIP hospitality passes (On Location Lounge, The Pit, Pittsburgh Pavilion, Bud Light Draft Zone). Sold through onlocationexp.com. Prices start around $750 and climb from there.
- Taste of the Draft ticketed dinner events sold through Ticketmaster.
If you're a first-timer just trying to see the stage, watch picks, and enjoy the festival, you don't need either of these. Register free, show up, walk in.
Where the Draft Actually Is
Two venues, one river, 0.3 miles apart. Here's the side-by-side:
| Draft Theater | Draft Experience | |
|---|---|---|
| Venue | Acrisure Stadium (North Shore) | Point State Park (Downtown) |
| Address | 100 Art Rooney Ave, 15212 | 601 Commonwealth Pl, 15222 |
| Role | Picks announced on TV | Free fan festival + interactive zone |
| Main features | Main stage, commissioner, on-field viewing inside Acrisure (Rounds 1-3) | 40-yard dash, field goal kick, autographs, Lombardi Trophy photos, Steelers Country |
| Bag size | Clear, max 12" x 6" x 12" | Clear, max 16" x 16" x 6" |
| Entry | Free with OnePass QR | Free with OnePass QR |
| Hours | Thu/Fri 12 PM-10 PM, Sat 9 AM-6 PM | Thu/Fri 12 PM-10 PM, Sat 9 AM-6 PM |
Pro tip from a local: the Roberto Clemente Bridge is closed to cars for the entire draft. It becomes a wide pedestrian corridor and it's the single most Pittsburgh part of the whole experience. Walk it. You'll see the skyline, the river, and both venues at once.
The "Stage vs Festival" Mental Model
This is the part nobody explains well. If you think of the draft as one event, you'll waste half your day figuring out why the stage is across the river from the football drills. Instead, think of it as two things happening at once:
The Festival (Point State Park)
Interactive, all day, bring your kids. Lines for the field goal kick, autographs with retired players, Lombardi Trophy photo ops, the 12,000 sq ft Steelers Country exhibit with all six Super Bowl rings. This is where you spend the afternoon.
The Stage (Acrisure Stadium North Shore)
The televised part. The commissioner, the picks, the boos, the hugs. Crowds peak here 6-8 PM Thursday when Round 1 starts at 8 PM ET.
Best approach for most people: start at Point State Park in the early afternoon, cross the Roberto Clemente Bridge around 5 PM, settle in at the North Shore for Round 1 at 8 PM. You'll miss the worst security lines and still catch the picks live.
NFL OnePass: The Step-by-Step
You need this app. Here's how to do it in 3 minutes:
- Download the NFL OnePass app from the App Store or Google Play, or visit NFL.com/DraftAccess
- Create a free account with your email
- Register each person in your party separately (including kids, who need a waiver for the 40-yard dash and other activations)
- Your QR code lives in the app. Security scans it at any checkpoint.
- Bring a portable charger. The app drains your battery. Dead phone means slow manual registration line.
No smartphone? Walk-up registration kiosks at every checkpoint. It works, it's just slower.
What You Can Bring (Bag Policy + Prohibited Items)
The two venues have different bag size limits. Size for the stricter one (Acrisure Stadium) and you're good everywhere. A 12 by 6 by 12 clear bag works at both locations.
Allowed at Both Venues
- Clear bags up to 12" x 6" x 12" (PVC or vinyl)
- Small clutch purses up to 4.5" x 6.5"
- One-gallon clear freezer bag
- Empty reusable water bottle
- Medically necessary items (after inspection)
- Strollers and diaper bags (after inspection)
- Small cameras and binoculars
- Blankets (not inside the Draft Theater)
Prohibited Everywhere
- Alcohol
- Umbrellas (bring a rain poncho instead)
- Backpacks (even clear ones over the size limit)
- Chairs, stools, seating devices
- Coolers, thermoses, glass, aerosol cans
- Footballs, frisbees, inflatables
- Drones, laser pointers
- Weapons of any kind
- Banners or flags larger than 22" x 28"
- Noisemakers, whistles, horns
- Motorized scooters and skateboards
- Professional cameras (credentialed media only)
Source: NFL Draft 2026 Security Procedures. Verified 2026-04-15.
Security Checkpoints
Multiple entry points, not one single gate. On the North Shore, the security perimeter stretches from Tony Dorsett Drive to the Kamin Science Center. Point State Park has its own checkpoints on the downtown side.
Expected wait times (based on Detroit 2024 patterns adjusted for Pittsburgh geography):
| When | Expected wait |
|---|---|
| Thursday 12-3 PM | Under 15 minutes |
| Thursday 5-8 PM | 30-60 minutes (worst) |
| Friday all day | 15-30 minutes |
| Saturday morning | 10-20 minutes |
| Saturday afternoon | 15-25 minutes |
Have your QR code pulled up on your phone before you get in line. That alone cuts your wait in half.
Is VIP Worth It? Decision Matrix
| You are... | Recommendation | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First-timer with family | Free entry | Point State Park is already incredible and free |
| Die-hard who wants Round 1 under the lights | On Location Draft Theater | Worth it if seeing Round 1 live is your life goal |
| Budget-conscious fan | Free entry | You'll get the real experience at zero cost |
| Company entertaining clients | Pittsburgh Pavilion / The Pit | Elevated food, open bar, climate-controlled |
| Out-of-town, one night only | Free entry + good hotel | Money better spent on a hotel near the action |
| Fan hoping to meet a pick | Free + Autograph Stage | You don't need VIP for autographs |
Accessibility
- Wheelchair entrances at all checkpoints. Look for the ADA lanes marked "Accessible Entry."
- Accessible parking: limited ADA spots in the Acrisure Stadium lots, first-come first-served, requires ADA placard. Suburban park-and-rides have more availability.
- Wheelchair loans are available at Fan Services booths.
- Service animals allowed everywhere. Non-service animals prohibited.
- ASL interpreter in a dedicated section of the Draft Theater. Caption-enabled screens across the campus.
- Sensory space planned at Point State Park. Confirm the exact location in the NFL OnePass app when you arrive.
- Family restrooms at both venues, medical tents marked on the in-app map.
For advance accommodations, email nfldraftmobility@gmail.com or contact VisitPittsburgh at (412) 281-7711.
How to Actually Get There
Full routing on our parking and transportation page. The short version:
- From the suburbs: use a park-and-ride (Ross, McCandless, Jefferson Hills, Monroeville Mall). Don't drive downtown.
- From the airport: 28X bus runs direct to downtown, then walk or take the Football Flyer shuttle.
- From downtown hotels: walk. Most are within 1 mile of Point State Park.
- Football Flyer shuttle: runs 10 AM to 1 AM all three days. Drops at Point State Park and near PNC Park. Every 15 min Thu/Fri, every 30 min Sat.
- T light rail: free between downtown and the North Shore. Fastest option between venues if the bridge walk seems long.
Coming from a specific suburb? Check these guides:
Frequently Asked
Do I need a ticket for the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh?
No. Admission is free. You just need to register on the NFL OnePass app (or at NFL.com/DraftAccess) to get a free QR code. No paper ticket exists. The only real tickets are VIP hospitality packages through On Location and ticketed events like Taste of the Draft.
Where exactly is the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh?
Two venues. The Draft Theater and Main Stage sit at Acrisure Stadium (100 Art Rooney Ave) on the North Shore. The NFL Draft Experience fan festival is across the river at Point State Park (601 Commonwealth Pl) downtown. They're connected by the Roberto Clemente Bridge, which is closed to vehicles and serves as a pedestrian fan corridor.
What time does the NFL Draft start in Pittsburgh?
Round 1 starts Thursday April 23 at 8:00 PM ET. Rounds 2 and 3 run Friday April 24 at 7:00 PM ET. Rounds 4 through 7 run Saturday April 25 at 12:00 PM ET. Gates open at noon Thursday and Friday, 9 AM Saturday.
Is parking free for the NFL Draft?
No. Expect $40 to $200 per day for downtown garages. Most North Shore lots are closed for stage construction. Park-and-Ride from the suburbs is cheaper and faster. See our parking guide for full options.
What is the NFL Draft bag policy?
Clear bags only, max 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches at the Draft Theater, or up to 16 by 16 by 6 at Point State Park. Small clutch purses up to 4.5 by 6.5 inches are also allowed. No backpacks, no non-clear bags, no umbrellas. Bring a rain poncho instead.
Can I bring my kids to the NFL Draft?
Yes. Point State Park has the Play 60 Zone, NFL FLAG drills, kids' clinics, and the 40-yard dash. Each kid needs their own NFL OnePass registration with a parent-signed waiver. Saturday is the most family-friendly day because crowds are smallest.
How do I get from Acrisure Stadium to Point State Park?
Walk the Roberto Clemente Bridge. It's 0.3 miles, closed to cars, and turned into a pedestrian fan corridor. You can also take the free Gateway Clipper Fleet boats across the Allegheny River Friday and Saturday only, or ride the free T light rail between downtown and the North Shore.
Will I see players in person at the draft?
At the Draft Theater, first-round picks usually come out after they're announced. At Point State Park, current and former NFL players sign autographs throughout the day at the Autograph Stage. The full player appearance schedule is inside the NFL OnePass app.
Can I bring food and drink into the NFL Draft?
No outside food or drink, except an empty reusable water bottle that you can fill at free refill stations inside. Food and beverage vendors are on-site at both venues, including Taste of Pittsburgh presented by Heinz. The whole event is cashless, credit cards or Apple Pay only.
What to Do Next
- 1. Download NFL OnePass now at NFL.com/DraftAccess. Register everyone in your group.
- 2. Pick your day. Thursday = biggest crowds, Saturday = most relaxed.
- 3. Pick a park-and-ride if you're coming from the suburbs.
- 4. Pack smart: clear bag 12x6x12, portable charger, rain poncho, walking shoes.
- 5. Grab the free draft weekend checklist PDF.