The first 32 picks of the 2026 NFL Draft are done. Now it’s time for another round. Or two.
Fans are flocking to the North Shore and Point State Park for Day 2 of draft festivities. Tonight, teams will make their second- and third-round selections.
8:56 p.m.: Lots of anticipation
The Inadomi family of Aspinwall took in the NFL Draft — and the large Heinz ketchup bottle at Acrisure stadium.
Daniel, took a picture of wife Brittany as their children, Leo, 5, and Myles, 2, watched.
“There’s been a lot of anticipation and we wanted to see it,” Daniel said.
Everything was very organized and grandiose, Daniel said.
— Kellen Stepler
8:51 p.m. Record attendance, again
At the start of the round two picks, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell took to the stage to announce that Pittsburgh followed up with another record-setting attendance for the draft.
“Last night in front of more than 320,000 fans, right here in Pittsburgh… We welcomed 32 incredible young men to the NFL family. And tonight, already, there are over 260,000 fans here. You have already set a record for night two.”
Roger Goodell takes the stage to kick off day two with some former legends ????
NFL Draft on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/7TVYOfWgj1— NFL (@NFL) April 24, 2026
8:16 p.m.: Not a disaster but fun
A lot of Jennifer Nuttall’s friends left town to avoid the NFL Draft crowds.
But Nuttall, of Brighton Heights, didn’t — and she’s glad.
“It’s actually been quiet,” said Nuttall, who attended the draft with son Cameron, 8. “I expected it to be a disaster and it was not a disaster. They’ve done a good job.”
Cameron said he wanted to attend the draft “to just have fun.” He enjoyed riding the Gateway Clipper ferry.
“That was a nice touch,” Jennifer said.
— Kellen Stepler
7:11 p.m.: Not all football
Blaine, Darice and son Rocco Britt, 8, played mini golf at PPG Place.
“It’s a once in a lifetime Pittsburgh experience. We love football and we had to do it,” Darice said. “If you’re from here, why miss out?”
They plan to watch the NFL Draft from Downtown’s Market Square.
Darice said she loves the new Market Square.
On Wednesday, officials reopened Market Square after a $15 million revitalization project.
It was not difficult for the Forest Hills family to travel into the draft, Darice said.
— Kellen Stepler
7:08 p.m.: Calm between picks begin
Josh Eckford, 35, of Pittsburgh’s South Side, enjoyed the NFL Draft concert and was planning to have a relaxing night.
Through the crowds of people walking across the Roberto Clemente bridge, Eckford stood out by wearing a Hawaiian-themed Cleveland Browns shirt.
“Steelers fans are pretty chill for the most part,” he said. “The Browns and Steelers have mutual respect for each other.”
The experience has been pretty good, he said.
“It’s pretty amazing to see a lot of people here in the city especially from all over,” he said. “The city brought it together in a short amount of time.”
— Kellen Stepler
6:12 p.m.: ‘Pittsburgh is a great city’
Robert Staszak, 29, of Chicago, is staying with his girlfriend Sammie Memije, 27, in Monroeville for the draft weekend.
The couple went to the Green Bay draft last year, and Staszak said Pittsburgh is holding its own in comparison.
The couple enjoyed riding the Gateway Clipper to the North Shore. Staszak said he’s hoping to make it to one of his favorite Strip District bars, Bar Marco, before leaving town.
“Pittsburgh is a great city. It’s very cool how it’s all spread out and everything and there’s a lot to do,” he said.
Traveling to the city was easy, he said.
“The airport’s all brand new. It was all easy to get through, easy to navigate,” Staszak said.
— Ember Duke
5:42 p.m.: Local student showing the family around
Edmee Idalis, a Point Park University sophomore from Dallas, Texas, was celebrating the second day of the draft with her father Eddie Martinez and brother Ethan Martinez.
All three donned their Dallas Cowboys gear.
“We’ve only gone to one other draft, and it was the draft in Dallas,” Idalis said.
Yesterday the family explored Point State Park and today their highlight was meeting Pat McAfee.
Idalis said it’s been nice showing her family around Pittsburgh, but that she’s staying loyal to her hometown team.
“All love to the Steelers and all the Pittsburgh fans here (but) I’m a diehard loyal fan to the Dallas Cowboys,” Idalis said. “I’m gonna stay that way to the day that I go six feet under.”
— Ember Duke
4:14 p.m.: Pop-Tart sacrifice
Draftgoers and breakfast-pastry enjoyers alike gathered on the North Side for a novel spectacle Friday afternoon: a Pop-Tart sacrifice.
The promotional event saw Pop-Tarts mascot “Protein Slamming Strawberry” — complete with a frosting six-pack and large pastry biceps — descend into an enormous mock toaster before hundreds of adoring fans at Nova Place near Allegheny Commons.
From the bottom of the toaster emerged a large edible Pop-Tart sheet.
North Side resident Sam Santangelo said it plainly as he ate a piece of the dismembered humanoid toaster pastry.
“It tastes like a Pop-Tart,” Santangelo, 25, said.
Santangelo said he’d already done most of the events at the NFL draft and decided to attend the “sacrifice” with his partner.
Leslie Serro, Vice President for Marketing for Pop-Tarts, said it’s the first time the company has performed a “sacrifice” outside of the annual Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando.
“The fans love this,” she said.
— James Engel
2:58 p.m.: Steelers’ 1st-round pick in tahn
The Steelers’ first-round draft pick — Arizona State offensive tackle Max Iheanachor — has arrived in the city.
He’s scheduled for an introductory press conference at 4 p.m.
The team posted a clip of him coming through the Fort Pitt Tunnel for the first time.
That first time out of the tunnel moment ???? @maxissnicee71pic.twitter.com/XIYhT9bWMZ
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) April 24, 2026
As always, the reactions are the best part of almost any post.
Rookie mistake. Have that phone ready before exiting the tunnel.
— John Kersten (@john_kersten) April 24, 2026
Make that vehicle doesn’t end up in Philly????????????!
— David Murphy (@DavidMu82434595) April 24, 2026
MAD MAX IN TAHN
— ????DKMETBURGH???? LETS GO BIG MIKE (@DKBETTA14) April 24, 2026
Max out the tunnel like a man on a mission ???? First of many for you kid. Steelers Nation got your back
let’s eat ???????? #HereWeGo— crazyA$$nikka???? (@thatshortguyxx) April 24, 2026
It’s obvious his mind is focused on football and the Steelers, as he never turns his head to the right to catch the impressive view of Downtown. Oh well, he’ll be coming out of that tunnel many more times.
2:42 p.m.: Mall parking for shuttle ride fills up
As the day progresses, parking spaces at the Monroeville Mall park-and-ride have become jam packed.
Drivers are finding alternate spaces nearby. However, everyone interviewed was happy to have the free, convenient option to get to the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.
There are still open spaces at the Wilkinsburg park-and-ride.
— Renatta Signorini
1:47 p.m.: Point Park crowds > North Shore crowds
Friday afternoon’s crowds are thinner on the North Shore Draft Experience areas than at Point State Park.
Colin Clover was heading to see the draft stage armed with his bags of merch, which is what he was most excited for at today’s festivities.
Clover took a redeye flight in from San Francisco last night and is headed back out this evening.
He says Pittsburgh, which he’s visited often to see family, has been as welcoming as usual.
— Ember Duke
1:08 p.m.: A ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ experience
Los Angeles Rams fan William Grant said Friday afternoon that he was not expecting to get quarterback Ty Simpson last night.
Grant, 37, of Youngstown, Ohio, was in the middle of the crowd on the North Shore watching the action on the stage.
He said he had a fun time and that the “once-in-a-lifetime” experience was “breathtaking.”
— Megan Swift
12:51 a.m.: Getting to the Point
With the Day 1 wrapped up, crews broke up the red carpet this morning, creating a pathway for fans to access the Point State Park Fountain during Day 2.
With the first draft day wrapped, crews broke up the red carpet this morning, creating a pathway for Steelers fans, Pittsburgh residents and visitors to access the Point State Park Fountain during Day Two. @TribLIVEpic.twitter.com/mFWsNnreNp
— Megan Trotter (@meganktrotter) April 24, 2026
— Megan Trotter
12:46 p.m.: Fan appreciation
Just after noon Friday, the Gateway Clipper Fleet began ferrying fans to the draft footprint.
Pam Davis, 61, of Mt. Washington was on the first boat to land on the North Shore, near PNC Park. She described the ride as “excellent, quick and very convenient.”
Davis didn’t attend the first day of the draft, but had a good first impression of the scene on Day 2.
“Everyone’s friendly. Everyone’s happy, happy to be here, happy to be part of this,” she said. “The city of Pittsburgh worked very hard to make it presentable.”
Kim Grilli, 56, of Monongahela said she spent the roughly 10-minute boat ride taking photos of the scenery from the river as she traveled from Station Square to the North Side.
“It was nice,” she said.
She too noticed fans seemed to be friendly — if their preferred teams weren’t on such good terms. “Everybody’s getting along — it doesn’t matter what team you’re on,” Grilli said.
— Julia Burdelski
12:14 p.m.: Signs of the times
Despite hailing from Houston, Texas, Albert Martinez is a self-proclaimed mega-Steelers fan. He was out and about Friday, decked out in his black and gold Steelers suit.
Our reporter caught up with him Downtown as he was heading out for a day of fun.
Wearing a massive bejeweled Steelers logo covered in signatures of players around his neck, Martinez said he created the emblem years ago.
He said he and his friends assembled the foam piece — complete with lights — when he was a kid “years and years ago before everyone started wearing them.”
“Then … I just started getting players to sign it,” he said. “It took me a few years, but I finally got my favorite player, when I was a kid, to sign it: Greg Lloyd.”
Mega-Steelers fan Albert Martinez is collecting Steelers autographs during the 2026 NFL Draft. @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/EJqSnmIgJJ
— Reporter Joyce Hanz (@hanz_joyce) April 24, 2026
Martinez says he gets some great reactions from other fans.
“Everybody always loves it,” he said. “And then we ran into Maurkice Pouncey yesterday, so he signed it too. … Got some fresh ink on it.”
He said he’s been having a great time with the draft here in town.
“It’s been a lot of fun. I mean I come to Pittsburgh all the time, but they’ll probably never have the draft (here) anytime soon, so I had to show up for that.”
He said he attended the first draft where fans were admitted in 2018 in Dallas. “It’s kinda like a full-circle moment.”
— Joyce Hanz
11:55 a.m.: Bussin’ into tahn
A bus trip from Monroeville Mall on Friday morning was much easier than navigating potential Squirrel Hill Tunnel traffic and finding a place to park.
Isabel Papariella and her mother, Rose, started their day on the North Shore after riding from the mall. It was a quick trip to the park-and-ride from where they live in Wilkins and then an easy and fast 45-minute trip into town, they said. “We didn’t want to have to pay for parking and with the traffic, you never know what it’s going to be like,” Isabel said.
They didn’t know about the free shuttle option until Thursday. If it hadn’t been available, they said they likely would’ve skipped the draft.
“Oh yeah, it’s doable,” Rose said, upon learning about the close-to-home option.
The bus stopped at the following locations on the East Busway: Wilkinsburg, Homewood, East Liberty, Negley, Herron and Penn stations. There was no one waiting at any of those stations for the draft. At Penn Station, a woman got on to make sure riders knew their destination and handed out brochures with details of routes and stops.
Continuing on, the bus stopped at Smithfield and Sixth and then at Market Square. A handful of people got out at the latter stop. The bus moved slowly through Downtown to stops at Stanwix Street and Penn Avenue, close to Point State Park, where two people exited. Finally, the trip ended at Federal and West General Robinson streets at PNC Park.
The whole trip took about 45 minutes.
The free buses from Pittsburgh Regional Transit are continuing all day to help fans get to the draft. They start in the north, south, east and west suburbs and run every 15 minutes on Friday and every 30 minutes on Saturday.
The routes start at 10 a.m. and run through 1 a.m.
— Renatta Signorini
11:52 a.m.: Fan review: Pittsburgh better than Philly
Mike and Sue Hacke of Upper Merion Township in Montgomery County arrived in the city Friday morning.
The couple grabbed sandwiches at the Original Oyster House in Market Square and were waiting to head into the Draft Experience.
Mike Hacke, 67, grew up in Homestead but said it had been about 40 years since he had last been in Pittsburgh.
He said he was impressed by the improvements made to the city in preparation for the draft.
“I was in Philly a couple years ago when it was there, and I think that this is much better than what Philly did,” Mike Hacke said.
After what Philly did to Pittsburgh yesterday in the draft, we’ll take it.
— Megan Trotter
11:48 a.m.: Makin’ stuff in Market Square
Rivers of Steel Heritage Corp. is doing live blacksmithing presentations today at Market Square.
Blacksmiths L Star and Eleanor Davidson are stamping cast-iron keychains with Pittsburgh and draft-related symbols like bridges and footballs.
Keychains are available for a $25 donation to the organization.
Rivers of Steel Heritage Organization is doing live keychain blacksmithing. The cast iron keychains cost a $25 donation to the organization and have symbols of bridges and footballs. @TribLIVEpic.twitter.com/GrE5vtI1jR
— Ember Duke (@emberfaee) April 24, 2026
“At the draft we thought it was important the Steel City be represented,” said Emily Blawejder, director of marketing and communications.
Tomorrow the organization will be doing a live aluminum pour if the weather holds up, Blawejder said.
Rivers of Steel invited tourists and Pittsburghers alike to join their Carrie Blast Furnace tours that are running all weekend.
— Ember Duke
11:39 a.m.: ‘Football Town’ now streaming free
A film celebration of Pittsburgh’s gridiron genealogy, “The Football Town,” is now available for free streaming on YouTube.
Sponsored by U.S. Steel and produced by NFL Films, the documentary follows the sport through Friday night high school matchups and Saturday morning Pop Warner games to on-field action at Acrisure Stadium.
ESPN analyst and Plum native Pat McAfee narrates. The movie had its premiere back in February at the Kamin Science Center.
It’s NFL Films’ first immersive-format documentary, according to NFL Films coordinating producer Neil Zender.
— Ben Schmitt
11:13 a.m.: Public transit running smoothly
There were plenty of parking spots at 10:30 a.m. at the Monroeville Mall park and ride, where fans can board Pittsburgh Regional Transit shuttle buses for free.
A large group boarded a shuttle, leaving standing room only. A second bus arrived quickly behind it and about 10 people, some in Steelers jerseys, boarded.
Plenty of Steelers fans boarding the bus at the Monroeville Mall park and ride for @PGHtransit.
The bus was pretty much full. pic.twitter.com/pW5c0ztXXu— Renatta Signorini (@ByRenatta) April 24, 2026
PRT employees were at the parking lot handing out brochures about the free service during the draft and reminding fans how to get home.
To view all your public transit options, click here.
— Renatta Signorini
11:10 a.m.: Day 1 was nearly incident free
There were zero arrests or citations within the NFL Draft footprint on North Shore on the first night of the draft, according to Pittsburgh Public Safety spokeswoman Cara Cruz.
Pennsylvania State Police made one misdemeanor arrest at Point State Park on Thursday, Cruz said.
Two people were arrested just outside the footprint, she said. She did not specify what the charges were in those incidents.
Pittsburgh EMS received 130 calls for service throughout the North Shore, Downtown and Point State park during the draft’s first day. Cruz said 23 people were transported from the scene.
She provided no details on the nature of injuries or illnesses medics treated.
Pittsburgh’s fire bureau was not called to any fires or Hazmat calls at the draft — although they did recover an engagement ring from a sewer grate, Cruz said.
Allegheny General Hospital’s emergency department treated about 10 people for minor injuries or illnesses from the draft Thursday, AHN spokeswoman Candace Herrington told TribLive.
AHN’s Downtown Express Care and a mobile clinic the health care giant set up in Market Square treated 35 people for “minor conditions.”
“This activity was well within the planned expectations and capabilities of both AHN and the comprehensive medical preparedness response plan,” Harrington said in a written statement.
UPMC reported treating 84 people at Point State Park, 59 at their site at Stage AE and 31 in Acrisure Stadium, spokeswoman Beth Mausteller said.
Most people were being treated for illnesses related to heat or dehydration, she said. Others were treated for exacerbations of chronic conditions or for minor injuries.
Eight people treated on scene were taken to a hospital, she said.
— Julia Burdelski
More sports
• Photos: Fans return to North Shore, Point State Park for Day 2
• NFL Draft Day 2: What you need to know
• Tim Benz: I like Max Iheanachor but not what the Steelers did before or after drafting him
11:07 a.m.: Market Square buzzin’ early
Market Square is full of Steelers jerseys and fans waiting for the Draft Experience to open at noon.
Morningside residents Kamryn Piscitelli, Abbie Todaro and Danielle and John Lipscak came down for their second day of the draft after checking out the festivities last night.
They weren’t able to see the draft stage last night so are most looking forward to trekking to North Shore for a glimpse of the stadium.
“I took off work to come,” Danielle Lipscak said.
— Ember Duke
10:05 a.m.: Returning for more
A handful of fans were forming a short line at the Tony Dorsett Drive entrance on the North Shore by around 9:45 a.m.
With a Terrible Towel dangling from his pocket, Colton Scott, 22, of Pittsburgh’s Brookline neighborhood, was among them.
He showed up a bit later Friday than his 8 a.m. arrival Thursday. “I enjoyed yesterday,” he said, explaining that he tried the field goal challenge, ran the 40-yard dash and visited a display of the Steelers’ Lombardi trophies.
As picks were being called, he found a seat in Acrisure Stadium.
Scott said he was surprised the crowds were noticeably smaller so far Friday morning.
Scott said he’s had a good time but felt the NFL’s maps guiding fans around have been “a little confusing.”
— Julia Burdelski
10:01 a.m.: Crowds queuing up at Point State Park
Hours before gates open, a crowd has begun to form outside the NFL Draft gates at Point State Park in Downtown Pittsburgh.
First in line is Ron Hack, 31, who ventured down from Oil City with his two boys Gabe Rottman, 13, and Carter Rottman, 10.
The events don’t begin until noon, but Hack said the three have been waiting to get in since 8 a.m. “We wanted to get here early, because we saw the photos of the crowds online,” Hack said.
Hack said he and the boys initially meandered around Market Square early this morning before arriving at the gate.
He said Carter and Gabe hope to get some autographs at Point State Park before taking the T to Acrisure Stadium on the North Shore.
“It’s going to be jam packed,” Hack said.
Initially concerned about the crowd sizes and the potential for violence in Downtown Pittsburgh, Hack said he was reassured by the heavy police presence throughout the draft area.
— James Engel
9:48 a.m.: Parking rates lowered after Day 1
Parking won’t cost as much for fans on Day 2.
In town, the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership announced that spots at the Forbes Garage Market Square are now $25, while spots in the Oliver Street Garage are $30.
Rivers Casino, a six-minute walk in Pittsburgh from Acrisure, said Thursday that will lower the price of parking on Friday from $250 down to $100 per day.
Casino officials said the effective use of public transportation, rideshare services and means of commuting into Downtown had relaxed the demand for parking spaces.
“Our intention is to ensure we always maintain enough spaces for our team members and guests while welcoming visitors in town for the draft,” the casino said in a news release. Rivers is still finalizing rates for Saturday.
9:47 a.m.: Startin’ to build
From the looks of the T station on the North Shore, folks are making their way to the Draft Experience areas.
Just before 10:30 a.m. small crowds were starting to spill off public transit and gather at the NFL Draft Experience near Acrisure Stadium for Day Two. @TribLIVEpic.twitter.com/S9aGbZUHwv
— Megan Trotter (@meganktrotter) April 24, 2026
Who's ready for day 2 of the NFL Draft? pic.twitter.com/tJC0SG6DW5
— Pittsburgh Regional Transit (@PGHtransit) April 24, 2026
Get ready for Day 2 to be busy again.
9:31 a.m.: West Coast love for the ’Burgh
California friends Carrie Patrick, 50, of Long Beach and Julianne Estrada of Corona took a quiet morning stroll along the river, taking in the scenery early Friday ahead of the draft festivities.
Estrada won a sweepstakes contest, scoring access to an inner circle of Rams fans in Pittsburgh for the draft.
She made Rams hats — complete with sparkles and horns — for them to wear. “We travel to away games,” Estrada said. “we’re yelling and screaming.”
The pair brought blue and gold beads to hand out to fellow Rams fans they encounter in the Steel City.
The pair told TribLive they’ve enjoyed Pittsburgh’s scenery and felt safe with the massive police presence surrounding the event.
They said how impressed they are with how friendly Pittsburghers have been. Just then, a couple wearing Steelers gear interrupted the interview to welcome them to Pittsburgh and compliment their festive attire.
“We came in with the feeling we entered rival territory,” Estrada said. But they said they were welcomed warmly, picking up tips from locals about the best places to visit while they’re in town.
“It’s a friendly, fun vibe,” Patrick said.
Everyone they’ve encountered shared a passion for football that helped them get along, Patrick said, adding that they have struck up conversations with fans from as far away as Germany.
— Julia Burdelski
9:16 a.m.: 16th Street Bridge closure reminder
The Department of Public Works is reminding everyone that the David McCullough (16th Street) Bridge will be closed from 7-10 a.m. Saturday for the PicksBURGH Draft Day 5K.
P3R, the organizer behind the Pittsburgh Marathon, is hosting the one-time event that will trace a long arc through the heart of draft festivities from the North Shore to Downtown.
The event is set to start at 8 a.m. Saturday.
“We wanted to create an experience that allows people to explore the city on foot,” Troy Schooley, P3R CEO, said. “Whether you run or walk, the PicksBURGH Draft Day 5K is a fun way to experience the excitement and celebrate a special moment for Pittsburgh.”
For more on the event, visit the P3R website or contact P3R at info@p3r.org or 412-586-7785.
9 a.m.: Still quiet on the North Shore
As of 9 a.m., there still are no lines forming on the North Shore.
Crews are gathering litter and emptying garbage cans outside of the draft footprint.
— Julia Burdelski
8:30 a.m.: Elected officials join in
Local officials have gotten in on the draft action too.
Mayor Corey O’Connor on Thursday night shared images of himself and his wife, Katie, at the draft.
The pick is in! pic.twitter.com/szX00ANtJi
— Corey O'Connor (@CoreyOConnorPA) April 24, 2026
After NFL officials announced their attendance count hit 320,000 fans, the city’s X account shared the league’s post, writing, “We’ve doubled in size!”
We’ve doubled in size! https://t.co/8obtFkM3YQ
— City of Pittsburgh (@Pittsburgh) April 24, 2026
Gov. Josh Shapiro posted to social media photos of himself behind the desk of ESPN’s College Gameday program.
Here we go… pic.twitter.com/yKJdQcvrOs
— Governor Josh Shapiro (@GovernorShapiro) April 23, 2026
And U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio, D-Fox Chapel, posted on X that he was “celebrating our beautiful Steel City under the lights of the @NFL draft last night. Western PA showed up!
Great celebrating our beautiful Steel City under the lights of the @NFL draft last night. Western PA showed up! pic.twitter.com/CYYsABDSz5
— Congressman Chris Deluzio (@RepDeluzio) April 24, 2026
— Julia Burdelski
8 a.m.: Empty gates
A few people had started lining up at the North Shore gates and some fans were milling about near the draft footprint by this time on the first day of the draft on Thursday.
But the North Shore is emptier Friday morning, with no one in line yet.
— Julia Burdelski
6:20 a.m.: Quiet start to the day
The North Shore was fairly quiet around 6 a.m., with some draft staffers arriving but no fans lining up quite yet.
A smattering of discarded beer cans, water bottles and plastic cups were strewn about the roads and sidewalks.
While it doesn’t look like the streets of Disney World, it’s not like the aftermaths of past concerts on the North Shore.
— Julia Burdelski