The 2026 NFL Draft is coming to Pittsburgh for the first time in over 75 years, running from April 23–25 across the North Shore and Point State Park. Officials are expecting somewhere between 500,000 and 700,000 visitors over three days — making it one of the largest events the city has ever hosted.

If you’re planning to drive, you need to know a few things before you go: which lots are actually available, how much you’re likely to pay, what the road closure situation means for your route, and why booking in advance is the only sensible strategy. This guide covers all of it.

What Is the 2026 NFL Draft Experience in Pittsburgh?

The Draft is split across two sites on opposite sides of the Allegheny River. The Draft Theater and Main Stage are located on the North Shore, outside Acrisure Stadium, which serves as a natural amphitheater for the picks. Across the river, the NFL Draft Experience — the free fan festival — runs at Point State Park in Downtown Pittsburgh.

The event is free to attend, but entry requires a QR code registered through the NFL OnePass app (NFL.com/DraftAccess). The Draft Experience runs noon–10 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and 9 a.m.–6 p.m. on Saturday. Round 1 begins Thursday at 8 p.m. ET.

The Roberto Clemente Bridge will be closed to vehicle traffic and activated as a pedestrian fan corridor connecting the North Shore to Downtown, a detail worth knowing when you’re planning which side of the river to park on.

The Parking Reality: What You’re Up Against

Pittsburgh’s parking situation during the Draft is not the same as a normal weekend. Road closures have already been taking effect in phases since late March and run through to May 10, with the most significant impacts concentrated around the North Shore and the Golden Triangle during the Draft itself (April 23-25).

Several lots that fans and commuters would normally rely on are out of action. Gold Lot 1 and the General Robinson Parking Garage are among those displaced by event construction and staging, with existing lease holders being redirected to other facilities. Street parking across the North Shore and Downtown is expected to be extremely limited and will be strictly enforced. (Pittsburgh city council has also proposed raising parking meter rates to $5 per hour in the area during the event.)

If you’re planning to drive to the Draft without a pre-booked space, you are taking a serious gamble. The available inventory is finite, it’s selling fast, and on the days themselves, circling for a space will eat into time you could be spending at the event, stressing you out.

How Much Does Parking Cost at the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh?

Prices vary significantly depending on the platform, the location, and how close you are to the event footprint. Here is a realistic picture of the market:

• From $87.25 per day — JustPark’s partner inventory through ALCO Parking and other local operators, available to pre-book now across all three days.

• $100–$220 — Downtown lots and garages further from the North Shore, including some available through third-party booking platforms.

• $250–$500+ — North Shore lots closest to Acrisure Stadium on competing platforms, including at least one casino garage marketing a premium package at $500 per day.

The price gap is significant. For a family attending all three days, the difference between the highest and lowest end of the market runs into hundreds of dollars.

Where to Park for the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh

Pre-Book with JustPark: ALCO Parking and Local Operators

JustPark, the Proud Partner of Acrisure Stadium, has partnered with ALCO Parking — one of Pittsburgh’s most established operators — to offer pre-paid spaces across all three days of the Draft. Current confirmed availability stands at 800+ spaces on April 23, 900+ on April 24, and 1,000+ on April 25, with ALCO releasing additional lots in the coming days.

Park-and-ride options are also being finalised and expected to be listed ahead of the event. All inventory can be searched, compared, and booked at justpark.com, with instant confirmation on booking.

Average pricing through JustPark starts at $87.25 per day — well below what comparable proximity lots are listing on other platforms.

Downtown and Station Square Garages

VisitPittsburgh’s official guidance recommends parking in Downtown or Station Square garages and using the “T” light rail or the Gateway Clipper river shuttle to reach the North Shore. This is a practical option for fans who don’t mind a short transit leg, and it puts you close to the Point State Park fan festival without needing to navigate the most congested part of the North Shore on foot.

The ParkPGH app lets you check real-time availability across public garages in the city as you head in, which is useful if you’re not pre-booked and want to know which Downtown structures still have space.

Park and Ride

If you want to avoid Downtown entirely, park-and-ride is worth serious consideration. Pittsburgh Regional Transit is operating four dedicated “Football Flyer” bus routes across all three days, running from major suburban lots directly to the Draft campus. Both the “T” and the Monongahela Incline are free to ride during Draft weekend (April 23–25), and a $25 Draft Pass in the Ready2Ride app gives unlimited rides on all PRT buses, the T, and the inclines for seven days.

Regional services are also running from further afield: Beaver County Transit Authority is offering $5 single rides or $10 unlimited day passes from the Expressway Travel Center; Fayette Area Coordinated Transit has Draft-specific service from Uniontown; and Mid-Mon Valley Transit Authority has added a “Pittsburgh Express” route with late-evening return trips.

Practical Tips for Driving to the NFL Draft

• Book your parking before you arrive. Inventory at every price point is selling. The closer to Draft weekend, the fewer affordable options will remain.

• Know the road closure map before you leave. Closures are in effect across six phases between March 28 and May 10. Visit Pittsburgh’s Road Closures Guide has the full details. Plan your route to your specific lot, not just to the general area.

• Budget significantly more travel time. With 500,000–700,000 visitors in the city, traffic will be heavy throughout the event footprint on all three evenings, particularly ahead of Round 1 on Thursday night.

• Don’t rely on street parking. It will be extremely limited, strictly enforced, and — if the proposed rate increase passes — priced at $5 per hour.

• Consider parking further out and taking transit. Free T rides and the Football Flyer routes make this a legitimate time-saver compared to trying to park close.

• Check what side of the river works best for you. The Roberto Clemente Bridge is pedestrian-only during the event. If your main destination is Point State Park, a Downtown garage keeps you on the right side. If you’re primarily heading to Acrisure Stadium, North Shore pre-booking is more efficient.

• Have your NFL OnePass QR code ready before you arrive. Entry to the Draft campus is digital-only. Download the app and register at NFL.com/DraftAccess in advance. Airport-level security screening is in place at all entrances, with expected queues — arriving early is advisable.

How to Book Pittsburgh NFL Draft Parking Through JustPark

ALCO Parking inventory for all three days is now live. You can search by date, compare available options across local providers, pay securely, and receive instant confirmation — no app download required.

Additional lots and park-and-ride options are expected to be added ahead of the event. Given how quickly affordable spaces near major events sell out in Pittsburgh, and the scale of road disruption already underway, locking in a space now is the best way to guarantee a smooth arrival.

About JustPark

JustPark is the Proud Partner of Acrisure Stadium and powers parking at NFL venues including Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Caesars Superdome, and NRG Park, as well as 100+ universities nationwide. JustPark facilitates over $1 billion in annual booking volume globally, parking more than 40 million cars each year. For parking options at the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, visit justpark.com.