Pennsylvania Leaders Urge DHS to Bolster NFL Draft Security

Shapiro, Fetterman, and McCormick call for increased safety measures ahead of major event in Pittsburgh.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 3:26am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting a football stadium and crowd in an abstract, geometric composition using navy, green, and orange tones to conceptually represent the need for increased security measures at the upcoming NFL Draft event.Pennsylvania officials seek federal assistance to enhance security for the highly anticipated 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.Today in Pittsburgh

With an estimated 700,000 football fans expected to descend on Pittsburgh for the 2026 NFL Draft, Pennsylvania's governor, lieutenant governor, and U.S. senator have jointly requested that the Department of Homeland Security provide additional security resources and coordination to ensure the safety of attendees.

Why it matters

The NFL Draft is one of the biggest annual sporting events, drawing massive crowds to the host city. Given recent incidents of violence at large public gatherings, Pennsylvania's leaders are proactively seeking federal assistance to mitigate any potential threats and maintain public safety during the highly anticipated three-day event.

The details

In a letter to the Department of Homeland Security, Governor Josh Shapiro, Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman, and Senator Pat McCormick called for increased security measures and coordination ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh. The officials stated that while the city is prepared to host the event, they want to ensure the safety of the hundreds of thousands of expected attendees.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled to take place in Pittsburgh over three days in the coming weeks.

The players

Josh Shapiro

The governor of Pennsylvania.

John Fetterman

The lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania.

Pat McCormick

A U.S. senator representing Pennsylvania.

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What’s next

The Department of Homeland Security is expected to review the request from Pennsylvania's top officials and determine what additional security resources can be provided to support the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.

The takeaway

As one of the largest annual sporting events, the NFL Draft requires extensive planning and coordination to ensure the safety of hundreds of thousands of attendees. Pennsylvania's proactive approach to bolstering security for this year's draft in Pittsburgh demonstrates the state's commitment to public safety and preparedness.