Looking Ahead to the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh and Its Impact on the Hotel Market

Christian Cross | July 23, 2024

Earlier this year, the Steel City was announced as the host for the 2026 NFL Draft. The scale and draw of this event make it highly sought after by cities, with many local and state governments actively competing for the opportunity to serve as the host city. Following nearly half a century of being held in New York City (1965–2014), the NFL Draft began to be rotated to other cities in 2015. The number of visitors attracted to the host cites and the economic impact of this event have been significant, peaking in the pre-pandemic period when Nashville was host, boasting an attendance of 600,000 people and a total economic impact of $224 ...