Pittsburgh Schools Close for NFL Draft, Frustrating Parents

District cites disruption concerns, but most schools are miles from event site

Mar. 24, 2026 at 7:00am

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Pittsburgh Public Schools announced that students will shift to remote learning for three days around the upcoming NFL draft, scheduled for April 23-25 in the city. The decision has frustrated many parents, who argue that only one school is located near the draft site and that the district should not be closing all schools for the event.

Why it matters

Pittsburgh's public schools have struggled with chronic absenteeism and low academic proficiency, and the decision to close schools for the NFL draft raises concerns about further disrupting student learning, especially after the impacts of the pandemic.

The details

The district says the closure will minimize disruption and keep the focus on instruction, as the NFL draft is expected to draw up to 700,000 visitors to downtown Pittsburgh. However, only one of the district's 54 schools is located in the city core, while most are miles from the event site. The closure affects not only the district's 20,000 students but also those at 136 private, parochial and charter schools who rely on the district for transportation.

  • The NFL draft is scheduled for April 23-25, 2026 in Pittsburgh.
  • Pittsburgh Public Schools announced the remote learning closure this week.

The players

Wayne Walters

Superintendent of Pittsburgh Public Schools.

Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership

An organization that expects the NFL draft to draw up to 700,000 visitors to downtown Pittsburgh.

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What they’re saying

“Transitioning to asynchronous learning allows us to support students academically while helping families navigate the logistical challenges expected across the region.”

— Wayne Walters, Superintendent

“There is only one school that is impacted. I understand that decision for them, that makes sense. But our kids need to be in school. We've seen the long-term impact remote learning has had, and it isn't good.”

— Anonymous mother

What’s next

The district has to reschedule the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment testing to later dates that have not been released due to the closure of in-person learning.

The takeaway

This decision highlights the ongoing challenges facing Pittsburgh's public schools, which have struggled with chronic absenteeism and low academic proficiency. The closure for the NFL draft raises concerns about further disrupting student learning, especially after the impacts of the pandemic, and underscores the need for the district to balance major events with the educational needs of its students.