The draft is the first major event of the new NFL season. In Pittsburgh, even the public schools will be closed for it.

The 2026 NFL Draft is just under a month away. From April 23 to 25, the teams in Pittsburgh will select the greatest college talents.

This means a day-long state of emergency for the city. Regional authorities have stated that 500,000 to 700,000 visitors are expected during this time. The onslaught of fans will lead to increased traffic and, as a result, acute parking shortages.

The decision-makers at Pittsburgh Public Schools have therefore decided to hold classes exclusively online during the draft weekend.

The aim is to spare students this traffic chaos in order to enable them to learn safely and effectively.