Pittsburgh Homeowners Struggle to Rent Properties Ahead of NFL Draft

With the 2026 NFL Draft just six weeks away, only 32% of available rental properties have been booked so far.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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As Pittsburgh prepares to host the 2026 NFL Draft, which is expected to draw over 500,000 visitors, local homeowners are finding it challenging to rent out their properties. With just over six weeks until the event, only around 32% of available rental properties have been booked, leaving many homeowners waiting for potential renters to bite. While some homeowners have listed their properties for thousands of dollars per night, others are hesitant to lower their prices, unsure if they will miss out on potential bookings.

Why it matters

The 2026 NFL Draft is a major event for Pittsburgh, and the city's ability to accommodate the influx of visitors will be crucial to its success. The slow pace of rental bookings raises concerns about the city's readiness and the potential impact on local businesses and residents.

The details

Homeowners Debra Smallwood and Kristin Barker have listed their properties on rental platforms, offering cozy and charming accommodations for the draft. However, they have yet to receive any bookings, despite their properties' prime locations. Meanwhile, rental service operator Chad Wise says that while prices for some properties have dropped, they are still very expensive, with the most affordable options around $800 per night. Sandy, who runs the Accommodations For The Draft website, says the pace of bookings has picked up as the event draws nearer, but homeowners are hesitant to lower their prices too soon.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft is set to take place in just over six weeks.
  • In October, some properties were listed for $10,000 per night, but have since dropped to $3,000 to $4,000 per night.

The players

Debra Smallwood

A Pittsburgh resident who lives in the city's Mexican War Streets and has listed her home, which sleeps five people, on the Accommodations For The Draft website.

Kristin Barker

A Pittsburgh resident who lives on the North Side and has listed her 1800's urban mansion, which sleeps 14 people, on the Accommodations For The Draft website.

Chad Wise

The operator of a short-term rental hosting service who says that while prices for some properties have dropped, they are still very expensive, with the most affordable options around $800 per night.

Sandy

The operator of the Accommodations For The Draft website, who says the pace of bookings has picked up as the event draws nearer.

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What they’re saying

“It's cozy, it's safe.”

— Debra Smallwood (cbsnews.com)

“We have a lot of charm. It's an 1800's urban mansion. It's seven bedrooms, and they're all in-suite baths.”

— Kristin Barker (cbsnews.com)

“Not a nibble.”

— Kristin Barker (cbsnews.com)

“It is really perfect walking distance with off street parking.”

— Kristin Barker (cbsnews.com)

“Our most affordable places right now are around $800 a night for the Thursday, Friday, which are your two biggest nights. Our bigger places? We still have some that are in the $5,000 to $6,000 range.”

— Chad Wise, rental service operator (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

The biggest question now is who will blink first -- the renter biting the bullet or the host fearing if they don't lower the price and get what they can, they may miss out altogether.

The takeaway

The slow pace of rental bookings for the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh highlights the challenges the city faces in accommodating the influx of visitors and the potential impact on local businesses and residents. As the event draws nearer, homeowners and rental service providers will need to find the right balance between pricing and availability to ensure a successful event for the city.