What time does NFL Draft 2026 start today? Live TV coverage, schedule for Thursday's Round 1 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The NFL Draft kicks off Thursday in Pittsburgh with a new wrinkle for 2026, as the picks should come faster than ever.
Teams will now have just eight minutes on the clock to make their first-round selections, down from 10 minutes in recent years and 15 before that. The latest TV-friendly adjustment to the annual event will keep the pace high and help discourage wandering away or changing channels between picks.
Also helping in that regard: This first round feels as unpredictable as any in recent memory. After the Raiders' expected selection of Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza at No. 1, there doesn't seem to be much consensus about where other prospects will land.
That's a formula for reaches, slides and trades, so the 2026 draft should be a must-watch for football fans.
Here's all you need to know about when and where to tune in for the festivities.
Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft is set to begin shortly after 8 p.m. ET on Thursday. This year's draft will take place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The NFL Draft will be available to watch on ABC, ESPN and NFL Network.
Thursday's ESPN broadcast will feature Mike Greenberg as the host alongside analysts Mel Kiper Jr., Booger McFarland and Louis Riddick.
Turn to ABC for a more college-themed feel with Rece Davis, Kirk Herbstreit, Nick Saban and Desmond Howard.
The NFL Network broadcast is led by Rich Eisen with analysis from Kurt Warner, Daniel Jeremiah, Charles Davis and Joel Klatt.
Viewers hoping to stream the NFL Draft can stream live coverage from all of those networks with fubo, which offers a free trial so you can try before you buy.
Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
Here's a look at the 2025 NFL Draft order, with all 257 picks sorted by round and team.