THE 2026 NFL DRAFT COUNTDOWN CLOCK WAS INSTALLED ON THE NORTH SHORE IN MAY TO LET THE PUBLIC KNOW HOW SOON THE BIG EVENT WILL BE IN PITTSBURGH. | PHOTO BY VIRGINIA LINN

With the NFL Draft now 314 days away, the Steelers are moving ahead on two important improvements at Acrisure Stadium to get ready for all the festivities coming April 23-25, 2026.

They plan to replace 10,000 to 12,000 square feet of lawn outside of the stadium at the corner of North Shore Drive and Rooney Avenue with artificial turf for youth activities. The Steelers started promoting that grassy area last season as the Steel Yard, bringing in DJs and offering lawn games, a photo booth and more before and after the game. The new turf is expected to be completed before the fall season but aims to support fan activities long after the draft is held, according to PSSI Stadium LLC, an affiliate of the Steelers that holds the lease on the stadium.

The Steelers also will be installing a much larger LED sign near Gate A on an exterior ramp tower. The new 1,117 square- foot-sign will be more than seven times the size of the current 154-square-foot sign, which has reached the end of its life. That work should be completed by next April. The electronic screen will be used to present information and announcements about the draft and to support an enhanced fan experience at the stadium and on the North Shore, according to PSSI.

PART OF THE SOUTH LAWN IN FRONT OF ACRISURE STADIUM. A PORTION OF THE LAWN WILL BE REPLACED THIS SUMMER WITH ARTIFICIAL TURF FOR YOUTH ACTIVITIES PLANNED DURING THE NFL DRAFT COMING IN APRIL 2026. | PHOTO BY VIRGINIA LINN

The Pittsburgh Sports and Exhibition Authority, which owns the stadium, this past week approved the team’s plans, according to a story in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Between 500,000 and 700,000 fans are projected to descend upon Pittsburgh for draft activities that will be taking place both on the North Shore outside of Acrisure Stadium and across the Allegheny River in Point State Park. About $3.4 million of work is underway in Point State Park to improve the lighting, walkways and more. Major Downtown renovations also are underway in Market Square, the Allegheny Riverfront Park and on what is called Arts Landing in the 8th Street Block area of the Cultural District — all aimed at spiffing up the city for the big occasion and beyond.