Why the 2026 NFL Draft Is Pittsburgh’s Moment (And What It Means for Families)

What does it actually take to bring one of the biggest sporting events in the world to a city—and why is now Pittsburgh’s turn?In this episode of The Running Wine Mom, Samantha sits down with Jim Britt, Vice President of Sports Events at VisitPITTSBURGH and leader of SportsPITTSBURGH, the team behind the 2026 NFL Draft.They break down what “sports tourism” really means (without the corporate jargon), how Pittsburgh beat out major cities to land the Draft, and what families can actually expect when hundreds of thousands of people arrive.You’ll hear:

• What goes into planning an event at this scale
• Why the NFL Draft doesn’t even have a “venue”
• How this event will impact local businesses and communities across Western Pennsylvania
• What kids will feel when they step onto the Draft campus
• Why this moment is about more than football—it’s about identity, pride, and possibility

This conversation goes beyond logistics—it’s about what happens when a city shows the world who it really is. 🔗 Links Mentioned

• Visit Pittsburgh: https://www.visitpittsburgh.com/
• SportsPITTSBURGH: https://www.sportspittsburgh.com/
• NFL Draft Info: https://www.nfl.com/draft/