It\u2019s a giant football party, and you\u2019re invited.<\/p>\n
For veterans of the Acrisure Stadium tailgate scene, entering through the gates of the 2026 NFL Draft Experience probably looked familiar. But in place of charcoal grills and parked cars, it was official food kiosks, beer tents and a variety of activities. And instead of fans wearing only the opposing team\u2019s jersey, you could find fans wearing jerseys from every team in the league.<\/p>\n
No matter where you went, you could tell you were in Pittsburgh.<\/p>\n
It doesn\u2019t hurt that the city gradually narrows to a literal Point as you head farther into Downtown, but it really seemed as though all of the main walking paths featured great views of the skyline, and you couldn\u2019t throw a Primanti\u2019s sandwich without hitting something decorated in black and gold.<\/p>\n
And while the NFL Draft Experience is a very corporate production, to be sure, there was still plenty of Pittsburgh flavor to be found.<\/p>\n
Amid the $21 beers \u2014 no joke \u2014 and mass-produced concessions, it was nice to see that the NFL carved out space for local food vendors. Hopefully people also venture outside the NFL Draft Experience footprint and bring their appetite to some of the restaurants Downtown and on the North Side.<\/p>\n
What was most interesting was strolling around North Side neighborhoods, which were practically empty compared to a typical Thursday afternoon. It\u2019s certainly possible that traffic \u2014 both foot and vehicle \u2014 will get heavier on Friday evening and Saturday once more people are off work. But all of the Parkway Apocalypse fears were much overblown, at least for one day.<\/p>\n
Everyone seemed to be in a great mood, although some things never change. One gentleman I was following behind took every possible opportunity to proclaim \u201c(Bleep) the birds!\u201d anytime someone with an Eagles or Ravens jersey walked into his line of sight. I suppose even a lovely day in the city can\u2019t put a stop to sports rivalries.<\/p>\n
Among the sights to be seen on the first day:<\/p>\n
\u2022 As a veteran of covering Steelers training camp, I knew that Don \u201cYinzer Pope\u201d Zadach was going to be on hand someplace. But I did not expect to see him relaxing at a North Side bar with another gentleman I can only describe as \u201cYinzer Jesus.\u201d (\u201cYeezus?\u201d Probably not the best portmanteau.)<\/p>\n
\u2022 I will never understand the logistics decision \u2014 especially on the North Shore, where all of the overpasses create a lot of shade \u2014 to locate rows of portable toilets in the sun. The good news is that there are a whole lot of them, and there weren\u2019t long lines to use them.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Nearly every type of yinzer you could imagine was out here somewhere: Guy with Sandals and Black Socks. Guy Who\u2019s Way Too Tan for April in Western Pennsylvania. Guy With the Original Jersey of Someone Who Hasn\u2019t Played for the Steelers Since 1994. Woman with 1987 Mall Bangs. The list goes on.<\/p>\n
\u2022 A Chiefs fan wearing a mini-fridge-sized Super Bowl Ring replica for a hat.<\/p>\n
\u2022 A Raiders fan who stood out even among a group of \u201cheavily Raiderized\u201d Las Vegas fans with the addition of some kind of steampunk-style black gas mask to go with his all-black attire. I do not envy this man. I felt strongly that he would need medical attention before the day was out.<\/p>\n
Having covered the U.S. Open last year at Oakmont Country Club, I was similarly impressed Thursday at the sheer scale of the event. U.S. Open officials spent months setting up the massive, multi-story hospitality tents, merchandise areas and food courts. The NFL Draft Experience isn\u2019t spread out over 200-plus acres the way the U.S. Open was, but it\u2019s still pretty impressive that all of this went up in less than a month.<\/p>\n
What really stood out, though, was how the NFL Draft Experience is laid out in a way that shows off the city from nearly every angle.<\/p>\n
But make no mistake. It\u2019s a whole lot of walking. With Friday\u2019s weather forecast in the low 80s, packing sunscreen and rocking a comfortable pair of shoes is essential.<\/p>\n
And probably wearing a giant Super Bowl Ring replica as a hat wouldn\u2019t be a bad idea. As Steelers fans, we have six designs to choose from, which is always nice!<\/p>\n
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