Pitt athletics | Panthers to host a block party during NFL draft

PITTSBURGH — When the NFL draft sets up on the North Shore next April, Pitt fans will have their own downtown destination. Pitt athletics and the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust on Tuesday announced the Pitt Block Party at Arts Landing, a three-day fan festival running April 23–25 that will coincide with every round of the 2026 draft.

The event marks the first major activation for Arts Landing, the Cultural Trust’s four-acre riverfront space in the Cultural District scheduled to open just in time for draft week. Organizers envision the site as a central gathering point within walking distance of the draft theater, the NFL Draft Experience at Point State Park, and the city’s theaters, galleries and restaurants.

Programming will center on Pitt’s football heritage. Visitors can tour an experiential Pitt football museum, test their skills in an interactive draft showcase that spotlights former Panthers now in the NFL, and meet local vendors. Live music, food trucks and beverage stations will keep the festival atmosphere humming through each evening.

“We’re excited to partner with the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust to create a one-of-a-kind experience for our fans during the 2026 NFL draft,” Pitt athletic director Allen Greene said. “Hosting the NFL draft is a tremendous moment for the city of Pittsburgh, and the Pitt Block Party at Arts Landing gives our community a dynamic, family friendly alternative option to be part of the action away from the North Shore.”

Kendra Whitlock Ingram, president and CEO of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, said the collaboration illustrates how sports and the arts can animate the same civic space. “Arts Landing is a transformational civic space built to bring people together, much like a great game or unforgettable performance,” she noted. “As we welcome fans for the very first time, we’ll celebrate the powerful roles that sports and the arts play in our city.”

The Pitt Block Party is part of the city’s broader “PicksBURGH” lineup, with additional attractions expected to be announced as draft week approaches. Admission details and a performance schedule will be released at a later date.