Trying to get to the 2026 NFL Draft without breaking the bank on parking? You have options.
Day 1 of the draft in Pittsburgh broke an attendance record, per NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, with an estimated 320,000 fans in attendance to watch ahead of the first round and more expected throughout the weekend.
Some roads throughout the Downtown and North Shore area were blocked to traffic for the draft. Here's what parking looks like on Day 2.
For the best shot at finding a parking space, Visit Pittsburgh recommends parking in Downtown or Station Square parking garages, then using public transit to finish your route. They suggest taking the Pittsburgh Light Rail or the Gateway Clipper to the activities in the North Shore area.
You can track parking availability through the ParkPGH app. There are also ways to reserve a spot ahead of time through platforms like Parking.com or ParkWhiz.
Social media users had mixed reports about traffic and parking on Day 2 of the NFL draft, though the general consensus was that rates had fallen from the prior day.
@DowntownPitt on X posted on April 24 morning that rates had gone down, announcing $25 parking in Forbes Garage Market Square and $30 parking in Oliver Street Garage.
"Ready for a great Day ✌️ with the #Draft in #PGH," they said.
"This lot was 90 dollars yesterday!" said @MartyGriffinKD in an April 24 post on X, showing a picture of a sign that displayed a parking rate of $30. "NFL Draft parking downtown is a LOT cheaper today! A LOT"
This lot was 90 dollars yesterday!NFL Draft parking downtown is a LOT cheaper today!A LOT pic.twitter.com/py6qz61BOD
@CoryCurtis2 also said parking was expensive on the first day, posting that he found places that were $200.
"So parking for the draft starts at about $200," he said.
So parking for the draft starts at about $200 pic.twitter.com/qH7iQUFtKV
Others said it wasn't as bad the first day as they had expected. @ThePoniExpress noted that both traffic and parking were manageable on Day 1 of the draft.
"It was smooth and easy getting down here for the draft," @ThePoniExpress said. "Parking wasn’t that expensive. Traffic was manageable. Worst fears were exaggerated."
I can only speak to my experience. It was smooth and easy getting down here for the draft. Parking wasn’t that expensive. Traffic was manageable. Worst fears were exaggerated.
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) April 23, 2026
The following roads are closed to vehicle traffic April 21-25 during the draft:
North Shore Drive from Chuck Noll Way to Mazeroski Way
Liberty Avenue/PPG Paints Arena Exit off Fort Pitt Bridge