NFL Draft Unveils Star-Studded Entertainment Lineup for Pittsburgh

Wiz Khalifa, Kane Brown, and Bret Michaels to headline free concert series during 2026 NFL Draft

Apr. 4, 2026 at 7:03pm

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The National Football League has announced the headlining acts for the free NFL Draft Entertainment Series presented by Bud Light in Pittsburgh. The three-day celebration will feature performances by award-winning global superstar Kane Brown, Pittsburgh native and Grammy-nominated recording artist Wiz Khalifa, and Pittsburgh-area native Bret Michaels of the band Poison.

Why it matters

The NFL Draft is one of the biggest annual events in professional sports, drawing massive crowds and intense interest from football fans across the country. By assembling a diverse lineup of popular music acts with strong local ties, the league is aiming to create an unforgettable fan experience and showcase the vibrant culture of the host city of Pittsburgh.

The details

Khalifa and Michaels will perform on April 24, ahead of the Draft rounds 2 and 3 that evening. Brown will take the stage for a high-energy finale to the 2026 NFL Draft Entertainment Series on April 25, after the Draft selections conclude. To kick off Day 1 on April 23, Pittsburgh-raised and jazz-trained artist KELS will perform the National Anthem. All performances will take place at the Draft Theater adjacent to Acrisure Stadium, with general fan viewing being free.

  • The NFL Draft Entertainment Series will take place from April 23-25, 2026.
  • Wiz Khalifa and Bret Michaels will perform on April 24.
  • Kane Brown will perform on April 25.
  • KELS will perform the National Anthem on April 23.

The players

Wiz Khalifa

A Grammy-nominated recording artist and Pittsburgh native.

Kane Brown

An award-winning global superstar country music artist.

Bret Michaels

The iconic frontman of the band Poison and a Pittsburgh-area native.

KELS

A Pittsburgh-raised and jazz-trained artist who will perform the National Anthem.

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What they’re saying

“Coming home to Pittsburgh for the Draft is pretty special. This city raised me, and the energy here is different. Being back with the fans and representing the city in a moment like this just feels right.”

— Wiz Khalifa

“I cannot be more honored, excited and fired up to be asked to perform at the Pittsburgh 2026 Draft on Friday night. As a Pittsburgh native and a diehard fan of the Steelers, the NFL and all things Pittsburgh, this is a dream come true.”

— Bret Michaels, Iconic frontman of Poison

“The Draft is one of those weekends where you can feel how much the game means to people. Fans, players, the whole city, everyone's part of it. Being here for that is going to be unforgettable.”

— Kane Brown

The takeaway

By assembling a diverse lineup of popular music acts with strong local ties, the NFL is aiming to create an unforgettable fan experience and showcase the vibrant culture of the host city of Pittsburgh during one of the league's biggest annual events.