Mayor Ed Gainey: The NFL Draft in Pittsburgh? Let's go get it

In cities across America, Pittsburghers gather every Sunday, dressed in their black and gold, ready to cheer for the Steelers on gameday. Nearly every city in America has a Steelers bar, and fans gather there to celebrate victories or to be with each other in heartbreaking defeat.

Football has the power to bring people together. The love of the Pittsburgh Steelers binds all of us together. No matter if you cheer from the stands in Acrisure or a bar in Colorado, you will find yourself at home wherever you are watching our Steelers play.

As mayor of our City, I wanted to find a way to work with the Steelers organization to give a reason to bring these fans home. The first professional game of football was played right here in Pittsburgh, we are home to a global fanbase and we believe it is time for the NFL Draft to return home to the City of Champions. The City of Pittsburgh and the Steelers are ready to host the 2026 or 2027 NFL Draft.

Imagine the cheers echoing throughout the Steel City as fans from all over the world arrive to witness the next generation of champions taking their first steps onto the national stage. Picture our iconic skyline, bathed in black and gold, our sister bridges lined with fans waving Terrible Towels – all making an unforgettable experience for players, dignitaries and visitors from around the globe.

The Steelers are more than just a football team; they are a representation of the hardworking spirit of our city. From the Steel Curtain to our legendary quarterbacks, from the immaculate reception to six Super Bowl championships. Pittsburgh is the City of Champions, and the draft will allow us to host the next generation of football greats.

Our city is a destination that is less than a seven-hour drive from 12 NFL markets, and less than a 90-minute flight for half of the residents of North America. We have hosted Stanley Cups, NCAA Championships, the MLB All-Star Game, NHL Winter Classic, the NHL Draft and even the G-20 summit. But we have never been afforded the opportunity to host one of the NFL’s signature events, and it is time for that to change.

The Draft is one of the greatest events in football, and Pittsburgh is the greatest football town in America. Not only would the draft be a win for the NFL, it would be a win for the entire region. There would be enormous benefits for local and small business owners, restaurants, hotels, the service industry – a win-win for the entire community and those who get the opportunity to visit during the Draft.

We’ve already seen the positive impact large events can have on our community. This past summer, Taylor Swift’s two-night stop at Acrisure Stadium as part of the Eras Tour generated $46 million for the local economy, according to VisitPITTSBURGH. Additionally, 83% of ticket buyers came from far and wide outside Allegheny County with hotel occupancy in the county averaging 95%.

Pittsburgh bleeds black and gold, and no city would show up like our city would. Bringing the Draft to Pittsburgh is a no-brainer for the NFL, and we could use it as a platform to showcase all the great things our city has to offer.

It will give us an opportunity to bring our fans home, so they can see firsthand the transformation that has taken place. They will see that Pittsburgh is a city where everyone is welcome and that there are an abundance of opportunities to thrive, where the love of football erases the boundaries of our 90 neighborhoods and creates a community that raises their voice to cheer on our Pittsburgh Steelers.

Together, we can create an NFL Draft experience that will be remembered for years to come. All we have to do is go get it.

So let’s go get it.

Ed Gainey is the mayor of Pittsburgh