Only 16 Players to Attend 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh
2026 NFL Draft attendees revealed: Why only 16 players will be in Pittsburgh
Yahoo! News
Image: Yahoo! News
The 2026 NFL Draft, set for April 23 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, will feature only 16 players in attendance, a significant decrease from previous years. This trend reflects a growing preference among players to watch the draft from home rather than attend in person, following changes since the COVID-19 pandemic.
- 01The 2026 NFL Draft will take place on April 23 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
- 02Only 16 players will attend the draft in person, marking a significant decline in attendance.
- 03This trend follows a shift in player preferences since the COVID-19 pandemic.
- 04The Las Vegas Raiders will be the first team on the clock, expected to select quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
- 05If all attending players are drafted in the first round, they will represent half of the selections.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
The 2026 NFL Draft, scheduled for April 23 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is set to see only 16 players in attendance, a notable decline from previous drafts where attendance was typically higher. This shift reflects a trend that has developed since the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced the 2020 draft to be held virtually. In 2021, a hybrid model allowed only 13 players to attend in person. Many players now prefer to celebrate with family and friends at home, as seen with expected first-round pick Fernando Mendoza, who will watch the draft from Miami. If all 16 players present are selected in the first round, they will account for half of the picks, highlighting the unusual turnout for this year's event.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
The reduced attendance may affect the atmosphere of the event, impacting fan engagement and local economic activity in Pittsburgh.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
Reader Poll
Do you think fewer players attending the NFL Draft is a positive trend?
Connecting to poll...
More about NFL
Read the original article
Visit the source for the complete story.