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The 2026 NFL Draft logo on the theater stage at Acrisure Stadium
Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; The 2026 NFL Draft logo on the theater stage at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

How to Watch the 2026 NFL Draft: Streaming, Schedule & Everything You Need to Know

By Matt Buxbaum  |  Last updated Apr 23, 2026 4:48 PM ET
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The 2026 NFL Draft is here, and the Steel City is ready for its close-up. Pittsburgh is hosting one of football's biggest annual events this week, and whether you've got cable, you've cut the cord, or you're just trying to catch Round 1 for free, we've got you covered on every way to tune in.

Key Takeaways

  • The 2026 NFL Draft runs Thursday, April 23 through Saturday, April 25, with Round 1 kicking off at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday.
  • All three days will be broadcast on ABC, ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and NFL Network.
  • You can stream the draft with DIRECTV Genre Packs, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, and YouTube TV. Most of these services offer free trials for new subscribers.
  • The draft will also be available to stream on NFL+ and Plex users can watch on the NFL Channel.
  • Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, is the presumed No. 1 overall pick, with the Las Vegas Raiders on the clock.

Where Is the 2026 NFL Draft?

The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled to be held in Pittsburgh on April 23–25, marking the first time since the 1948 NFL draft that the city has hosted the event. It is being held at Pittsburgh's North Shore, including Acrisure Stadium and Point State Park.

Located at Point State Park, Steelers Country is the ultimate gathering spot for fans, featuring Steelers legend and current player Q&As, live draft coverage, and daily entertainment on stage, including the Steelers Draft Countdown Show on Thursday and Friday evenings. Pittsburgh Steelers If you're making the trip, it's going to be an electric atmosphere in one of football's most storied cities.

How to Watch the 2026 NFL Draft


DIRECTV logo
  • MySports™ Genre Pack starting at $44.99/mo. for your first 2 mos.*
  • Includes 20+ sports and broadcast networks
  • 5-Day Free Trial Available
Get A 5-Day Free Trial

DIRECTV My Sports

DIRECTV Genre Packs offer a five-day free trial, which will let you watch ESPN, ABC, and NFL Network on a test run. New Genre Packs make streaming simpler and at a lower cost by selecting the pack that you want. You'll get a specific number and genre of channels that is at a lower cost than traditional streaming.

Service
 ABC
 ESPN
 NFL Network
 Free Trial
DIRECTV MySports
 ✅
 ✅
 ✅
 5 days
Hulu + Live TV
 ✅
 ✅
 ✅
 3 days
Fubo
 ✅
 ✅
 ✅
 Up to 5 days
YouTube TV
 ✅
 ✅
 ✅
 Up to 21 days
Sling TV
 Select markets
 ✅
 ✅
 Day Pass available
Disney+/Hulu
 ✅
 ✅
 ❌
 Varies
NFL+
 ❌
 ❌
 ✅
 —

2026 NFL Draft Schedule

Round 1 kicks off Thursday, April 23, at 8 p.m. ET. Rounds 2 and 3 will start on Friday, April 24 at 7 p.m. ET. Rounds 4 through 7 will take place Saturday, April 25, beginning at noon ET.

This year's draft will change the timing: in previous years, teams had 10 minutes between picks; now, in the first round, they'll have only 8 minutes. Timing for Rounds 2–7 will remain the same.

Day
 Date
 Rounds
 Start Time (ET)
Thursday
 April 23
 Round 1
 8:00 PM
Friday
 April 24
 Rounds 2–3
 7:00 PM
Saturday
 April 25
 Rounds 4–7
 12:00 PM


DIRECTV logo
  • MySports™ Genre Pack starting at $44.99/mo. for your first 2 mos.*
  • Includes 20+ sports and broadcast networks
  • 5-Day Free Trial Available
Get A 5-Day Free Trial

What to Watch For: Top Prospects

When the 2026 NFL Draft kicks off Thursday night, the only near certainty is that a quarterback will be taken No. 1 overall for the fourth straight year. The Las Vegas Raiders are widely expected to select QB Fernando Mendoza, who capped his stellar Heisman season by leading Indiana to its first national title in school history.

After Mendoza, ESPN's top prospect rankings have Ohio State EDGE Arvell Reese at No. 1 overall on their big board, followed by Texas Tech EDGE David Bailey at No. 3, Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love at No. 4, Miami OT Francis Mauigoa at No. 5, and Ohio State S Caleb Downs at No. 6.

In a departure from most drafts, Mendoza might be the only quarterback selected in the first round, though Alabama's Ty Simpson is also garnering interest. This year's class appears deep at edge rusher, receiver, and offensive tackle.

Here's a look at the projected Round 1 picks based on consensus expert mock drafts heading into tonight:

  1. Las Vegas Raiders — Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
  2. New York Jets — Arvell Reese, EDGE, Ohio State
  3. Arizona Cardinals — Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
  4. Tennessee Titans — Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
  5. New York Giants — Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
  6. Cleveland Browns — Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
  7. Washington Commanders — Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
  8. New Orleans Saints — David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
  9. Kansas City Chiefs — Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami
  10. New York Giants (via CIN) — Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

FAQs

How can I watch the 2026 NFL Draft for free?

There are a couple of ways to watch without paying: tune in to ABC using a digital antenna, or sign up for a free trial from services like DIRECTV Genre Packs.

What channels is the 2026 NFL Draft on?

All three days of the NFL Draft will be available to watch on ABC, ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and NFL Network.

Where is the 2026 NFL Draft being held?

The draft is being held in Pittsburgh at the city's North Shore, including Acrisure Stadium and Point State Park. It's the first time Pittsburgh has hosted since 1948.

Who is the No. 1 pick?

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, is the presumed No. 1 pick, with the Las Vegas Raiders on the clock.