Pennsylvania is setting its sights on a touchdown in the tourism and economic game, with Governor Josh Shapiro leading the cheering section for the Pittsburgh Steelers' latest play—a bid to bring the 2026 or 2027 NFL Draft to the Steel City. Echoing the economic aspirations of his state, Shapiro is advocating for Pittsburgh, where football roots run deep, as the ideal locale for the draft festivities.
Philadelphia's successful stint as host in 2017 is a playbook Pittsburgh hopes to emulate, anticipating the inflow of over 350,000 fans and a windfall topping $100 million. Although by some measures, Pennsylvania's tourism industry is a strong player generating in excess of $76 billion annually, according to the Governor's announcement. If the NFL awards the draft to Pittsburgh, predictions set the economic impact between $120 million and $160 million—a significant score for the state.
"As the birthplace of America – and as we prepare to celebrate our country’s 250th birthday in 2026 – the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will be a central hub of economic activity over the next several years, and we would be honored for the NFL Draft to be a centerpiece of these celebrations," Shapiro stated. Tourism isn't just about visitors but also the myriad of Pennsylvanians it enables to pursue their livelihood—whether they are in the hospitality industry, outdoor recreation or small business sectors. Shapiro's backing of the draft reflects a broader Economic Development Strategy crafted to prop up innovation, economic growth, and jobs for the state's residents.
Shapiro's playbook isn’t just about verbal backing. His administration is putting real dollars behind their words, with an $18 million hike in tourism and business marketing embedded in the proposed 2024-25 budget. An additional $25 million is tagged for Main Street Matters, a program in support of small businesses, while $3.5 million is slated for creating the Pennsylvania Regional Economic Competitiveness Challenge—a bid to spur regional economic activity.
It's no hail mary for Shapiro, who officially sent his letter rooting for Pittsburgh's draft campaign to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. Pennsylvania is preparing for a 2026 fanfare that's to include both the MLB All-Star Game and the FIFA World Cup, alongside the NFL Draft, if things pan out according to plan. Pittsburgh's charm and economic potential are the linchpins upon which Governor Shapiro pins these grand visions, forging ahead full throttle in the league of state-wide prosperity.
