How to Get Around Pittsburgh During the 2026 NFL Draft

PHOTO BY VIRGINIA LINN

The city’s tourism department is encouraging the 500,000 to 700,000 visitors arriving in Pittsburgh for the 2026 NFL Draft in April to leave their cars at home.

VisitPITTSBURGH released its comprehensive regional transportation plan on March 27; the multimodal plan is designed to expand public transit and provide multiple access points for residents and fans, including more frequent Pittsburgh Regional Transit service, park-and-ride access and clearly designed routes within the event’s footprint.

“Pittsburgh is no stranger to hosting major events, and this plan reflects that experience,” says Jerad Bachar, resident and CEO of VisitPITTSBURGH, in a press release. “We encourage residents and visitors alike to take advantage of public transit and join us as Pittsburgh takes the global stage.”

PRT will operate expanded service from April 23 through April 25, with additional frequency and capacity on many of its high-ridership corridors, including the P1, which travels the East Busway; the G2, which travels the West Busway; and the 54, which connects the North Side, Oakland and the South Side. 

There will also be expanded service on the 28X, which services the airport and surrounding areas; increased light rail service to Downtown and the North Shore; and four limited-stop Draft buses operating from the north, south, east and west. 

The four “Football Flyer” routes will operate approximately every 15 minutes on Thursday, April 23 and Friday, April 24, and approximately every 30 minutes on Saturday, April 25. They will run from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. each day. The routes are as follows:

• The 99N will start at the McCandless Park and Ride (9700 McKnight Road), travel to the Ross Park and Ride (5204 Perry Highway) and will use the HOV lanes on I-279. 
• The 99E will start at the Monroeville Mall and serve every station along the East Busway.
• The 99S will start at the Large Park and Ride (219 Peters Creek Road) and serve every station along the South Busway.
• The 99W will start at the University Boulevard Park and Ride (9000 University Blvd.), serve every stop on the West Busway, the Lower Station of the Duquesne Incline, and the Lower Station of the Monongahela Incline.

All four Football Flyers will drop off and pick up passengers near Point State Park in Downtown Pittsburgh and near PNC Park on the North Shore.

On Saturday, PRT will also increase its service systemwide.

“Our plan for the Draft is about balancing the needs of the thousands of fans coming to Pittsburgh and meeting this special moment while continuing to deliver for the people who rely on us every day,” PRT CEO Katharine Kelleman says in a statement. “No matter why you’re traveling that week, our goal is to make transit the easiest and most reliable way to get there.”

Regional bus lines are also expanding their service for fans or visitors who may be staying outside of the city proper.

Beaver County Transit Authority will operate additional express trips between Beaver County and Downtown, including dedicated service timed for Draft-related activities. 

Butler Transit Authority will offer direct service from the Route 528 Park and Ride to the Ross Park and Ride, where riders can connect to PRT service. 

Newcastle Area Transit Authority will provide regular commuter service to Downtown on Thursday and Friday, with adjusted routes to accommodate traffic changes.

Freedom Transit, which services Washington County, will extend service hours and late-night return trips from Downtown, providing additional flexibility for attendees coming in from the south.

Fayette Area Coordinated Transit will offer Draft-specific service connecting Uniontown and surrounding communities to regional park-and-ride locations, with additional midday and evening service options.

Mid-Mon Valley Transit Authority will provide regular commuter service, supplemented by a special “Pittsburgh Express” route with late evening return trips from Downtown.

In addition to regular fares, a special Draft Pass will be offered in the Ready2Ride app beginning April 1. The pass will provide unlimited rides for seven days for $25.

VisitPITTSBURGH also warns of multiple road closures that will impact visitors and residents alike who intend to drive in or around the Draft’s footprint. A full list of road closures can be found on the organization’s website, but drivers should plan to see traffic impacts from March 28 through May 10. 

Uber and Lyft will also have designated pick-up and drop-off locations nearby.

VisitPITTSBURGH also says folks can take advantage of the city’s two historic inclines, as well as the Gateway Clipper Fleet, which will operate four special-service vessels on Friday and Saturday to move visitors to the North Shore and Downtown.

Folks who do plan to drive are encouraged to reserve parking in advance, as garages and lots are expected to fill quickly and street parking is expected to be extremely limited. Parking rates are also heavily inflated based on demand, with nearby lots charging between $250 and $500 for parking passes. 

Real-time availability is accessible through the ParkPGH app, with reservations available through platforms such as ParkWhiz.

For public transit schedules, information and tickets, download Transit and the NFL OnePass app.