When Is the 2026 NFL Draft? Date, Start Time, TV Schedule & Live Stream Guide

Wondering when the NFL Draft is this year? Circle Thursday, April 23 through Saturday, April 25 on your calendar, because the 2026 NFL Draft will unfold over three football-packed days in downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The league’s annual talent showcase begins with Round 1 inside a purpose-built theater near Acrisure Stadium at 8 p.m. ET on April 23. Rounds 2–3 pick back up Friday at 7 p.m. ET, and the marathon closes with Rounds 4–7 starting Saturday at noon ET. NFL Network, ESPN, ABC and NFL+ will carry every selection, while the city’s riverfront viewing areas and fan experience zones remain free to attend for registered fans. Why Pittsburgh? The Steel City edged out several bidders thanks to its storied football heritage and walkable riverfront layout, giving fans panoramic views of the Draft Theater, Point State Park and the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers. Local organizers expect more than 350,000 visitors, and hotels across the Golden Triangle are already nearing capacity. If you plan to travel, lock in rooms and parking now; Port Authority light-rail and special shuttle routes will run extended hours throughout Draft Week. Key 2026 NFL Draft dates and times (Eastern) • Thursday, April 23: Round 1, 8 p.m. – roughly 11:30 p.m. • Friday, April 24: Rounds 2–3, 7 p.m. – midnight • Saturday, April 25: Rounds 4–7, noon – 6 p.m. How to watch and stream • TV: NFL Network, ESPN, ABC (Round 1 simulcast) • Streaming: NFL+, ESPN App, ABC App, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV • Radio: SiriusXM NFL Radio, Westwood One, local team flagship stations Fan experience highlights • Draft Experience open daily with Lombardi Trophy photo ops, 40-yard dash, autograph sessions and team merch. • Concert series on the North Shore each night after picks conclude. • “Taste of Pittsburgh” food court featuring Primanti Bros., pierogi trucks and regional craft breweries. What’s at stake? Thirty-two first-round picks, a record number of quarterback prospects projected for Day 1, and the chance for rebuilding teams to grab franchise cornerstones. The Chicago Bears currently hold the No. 1 overall pick, but rumor season is heating up; expect trade chatter right up to Commissioner Roger Goodell’s opening announcement. FAQs Searchers Are Asking Q: When is the NFL Draft in 2026? A: April 23–25, 2026. Q: Where is the NFL Draft being held? A: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, primarily along the North Shore near Acrisure Stadium. Q: What time does Round 1 start? A: 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 23. Bookmark this page for daily updates, mock drafts and last-minute schedule tweaks as Draft Week approaches—everything you need to know when someone asks, “So, when is the NFL Draft?”