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Cost To Attend The 2026 NFL Draft Ranges From $435 To $2,095
We broke down travel, hotel, parking, food, and merch costs for all 32 NFL markets to see the price tag for the 3-day event in Pittsburgh.
Apr. 9, 2026 at 4:05pm
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The 2026 NFL Draft is coming to Pittsburgh April 23-25 and football fans from around the country will descend upon Western Pennsylvania. While entry to the event is free via the NFL OnePass system, the total costs to travel, stay, and enjoy the draft range from $435 for Pittsburgh locals to $2,095 for fans flying in from Seattle. Bookies.com analyzed the average costs across all 32 NFL markets to attend the 3-day draft.
Why it matters
The NFL Draft has become a must-watch event, either on TV or in-person, with thousands of football fans bound to head to Pittsburgh to do just that. Understanding the potential costs can help fans budget and find ways to save money while still being able to attend the highly anticipated event.
The details
We averaged hotel costs for the greater Pittsburgh area during the draft weekend, finding downtown hotels running about $650 per night while suburban accommodations were around $130 per night. Parking costs range from free at park-and-ride lots to $100 per day at pre-booked lots. Food and drink averages $195 on average, while merchandise costs are pegged at $195 as well. For travel, we looked at the cheapest round-trip economy airfare as well as gas costs for driving, factoring in tolls and splitting costs between two people.
- The 2026 NFL Draft takes place April 23-25, 2026 in Pittsburgh.
- Round 1 is on April 23, Rounds 2-3 are on April 24, and Rounds 4-7 are on April 25.
The players
Pittsburgh
The host city for the 2026 NFL Draft, where the average cost to attend is $435 for locals.
Seattle
The market with the highest average cost to attend the 2026 NFL Draft at $2,095, primarily due to the high airfare from the West Coast.
What they’re saying
“The NFL Draft has become a must-watch event, either on TV or in-person, with thousands of football fans bound to head to Pittsburgh to do just that.”
— Christopher Boan, Author
What’s next
Fans looking to attend the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh should book their accommodations and travel as soon as possible to take advantage of the best deals. Those within driving distance should consider carpooling to split gas costs. Utilizing the free park-and-ride options and skipping the VIP packages can also help keep costs down.
The takeaway
The 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh presents a unique opportunity for football fans, but the costs to attend can vary greatly depending on where you're traveling from. By planning ahead, being flexible with travel and lodging, and taking advantage of the free entry, fans can find ways to make the trip more affordable and still soak in the excitement of the draft.
