Pittsburgh Hotels Hike Rates for NFL Draft

Rooms near draft events start at $899 per night, but cheaper options available farther out

Apr. 9, 2026 at 10:41pm

A highly stylized, geometric illustration depicting the grand, monumental scale of a towering hotel facade, rendered in a bold, Art Deco-inspired visual style with smooth, airbrushed gradients of steel blue, charcoal, and chrome, conveying the sense of travel and the challenges of finding affordable lodging during major events.The soaring hotel rates in Pittsburgh during the NFL draft reflect the high demand for accommodations near the main event venues.Today in Pittsburgh

With the NFL draft just two weeks away, hotels in the Pittsburgh area are charging premium rates for rooms, especially those closest to the main draft activities at Point State Park. However, cheaper options can still be found in outlying areas like Butler and Washington counties, though the cost of transportation to the city may offset some of those savings.

Why it matters

The NFL draft is a major event that draws thousands of fans, media, and league personnel to the host city, creating high demand for hotel rooms and driving up prices. This can make it challenging for regular travelers to find affordable accommodations during this time.

The details

A search of hotels in downtown Pittsburgh found rooms at the Wyndham Grand, located near the draft activities, starting at $899 per night and going up to $1,239. Other downtown hotels like Homewood Suites by Hilton were available for $382 per night. Looking outside the city center, rooms could be found for as low as $67 per night at the Red Roof Inn in Washington, about 30 miles from downtown.

  • The NFL draft is scheduled to take place in two weeks, on April 22, 2026.

The players

Wyndham Grand

A hotel located at the tip of Point State Park in downtown Pittsburgh, where most of the draft activities will take place.

Homewood Suites by Hilton

A hotel located in downtown Pittsburgh.

The Clarion Inn Cranberry Township

A hotel located in Cranberry Township, about 20 miles north of downtown Pittsburgh.

The Red Roof Inn

A hotel located in Washington, Pennsylvania, about 30 miles south of downtown Pittsburgh.

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The takeaway

The high hotel rates in Pittsburgh during the NFL draft highlight the challenges travelers can face when trying to find affordable accommodations for major events. While rooms closer to the action may be prohibitively expensive, there are still options available in outlying areas, though the added cost of transportation should be factored in.