As the energy for the 2026 NFL Draft ignites the atmosphere in downtown Pittsburgh, one question may be on visitors’ minds: how do you get around the city?
Officials from Visit Pittsburgh anticipate more than 500,000 football fans coming to the region for the draft, so traffic will likely be a challenge for many in the region.
The draft mixes with the end of the usual work week, so streets will be busier than usual and detours are planned to protect the surge of pedestrians flocking to fan experiences at Point State Park and Acrisure Stadium.
To help tackle some of the confusion, here are a few alternative ways to get around the city:
One of the easiest ways to get around downtown will be the Light Rail System, which is known locally as “The T.”
The subway system connects many of Pittsburgh’s communities each day, with this mode of transportation being a good way to find parking farther away from areas that will be restricted in downtown.
While traffic may be higher than usual, the rails do allow visitors to park in less dense areas, such as Station Square or the surrounding neighborhoods.
For those planning to visit Acrisure Stadium, the Allegheny Station is located right outside the gates. To reach the fan experience at Point State Park, riders should depart from the Gateway Station, just a few minutes’ walk to the center of the action. These stops are located along all three lines.
With parking very limited downtown, the second-best option is to take a bus into the action. Officials for Pittsburgh Regional Transit have not yet posted a draft schedule, but several companies are jumping in early to offer additional services.
Rally.co is offering a “bus rideshare” program for draft audiences, offering rally points across the region from Thursday, April 23, to Saturday, April 25. Offering “high-end” buses with electricity, Wi-Fi and charging stations, seats can now be reserved online.
Rideshare options such as Uber and Lyft will also be operating in the area. There will likely be a designated spot for these drop-offs and pickups, but riders should expect slightly higher surge pricing throughout the week.
When in downtown, visitors will also be able to catch a ride on the Gateway Clipper Fleet to travel between the two draft sites. The large boats will be running throughout the event, giving city visitors a nice view of Pittsburgh’s converging river system.
For those who are driving into the city, there are a few things you can do to prepare.
Streets will be shut down near Point State Park and Acrisure Stadium, so motorists should stay aware of posted detours. The Roberto Clemente Bridge will be closed during draft events, but it is confirmed to be open to pedestrians who wish to walk across the structure.
Visitors and residents should anticipate high traffic along all roads around downtown throughout the week.
Areas likely to see the most traffic will be near the Fort Pitt and the Squirrel Hill tunnels, both located along Interstate 376. These areas see high traffic during the usual work week, so the increased traffic is likely to cause significant delays during the draft.
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