Kane Brown, Wiz Khalifa and Bret Michaels to Headline 2026 NFL Draft Entertainment Series Presented by Bud Light
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Fans Can Register for Free Entry at NFL.com/DraftAccess
NEW YORK — April 2, 2026 — The National Football League has announced that global country star Kane Brown, Grammy-nominated rapper Wiz Khalifa and rock icon Bret Michaels will headline the free NFL Draft Entertainment Series presented by Bud Light during the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.
The three-day entertainment lineup will take place alongside the 2026 NFL Draft, airing live April 23–25 across NFL Network, NFL+, ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes.
“Bringing the Draft to Pittsburgh allows us to celebrate a city deeply connected to both football and music,” said Tim Tubito, NFL senior director of global event presentation and entertainment. “This year’s lineup blends global star power with hometown pride to create unforgettable moments throughout Draft weekend.”
Opening Night Performances
Day 1 of the Draft on Thursday, April 23, will begin with a performance of the National Anthem by Pittsburgh-raised artist KELS. Ahead of the anthem, the James Weldon Johnson Foundation’s National Hymn Choir, featuring The Heritage Gospel Chorale of Pittsburgh, will perform “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” conducted by Grammy Award-winning Dr. Jeffery Redding.
Day 2: Pittsburgh Pride on Display
On Friday, April 24, hometown stars Wiz Khalifa and Bret Michaels will take the stage ahead of Rounds 2 and 3 of the Draft. Wiz Khalifa, who rose to prominence with his debut album Rolling Papers, is known for hits like “Black and Yellow” and “See You Again.”
“Coming home to Pittsburgh for the Draft is pretty special,” said Wiz Khalifa. “This city raised me, and being back with the fans for a moment like this just feels right.”
Bret Michaels, lead singer of Poison and a longtime Pittsburgh sports fan, called the opportunity “a dream come true” as he prepares to perform in front of a hometown crowd.
Day 3 Finale
Following the conclusion of the Draft on Saturday, April 25, Kane Brown will headline the weekend with a high-energy closing performance. The multi-platinum artist recently released his latest single, “Woman,” following the success of his 2025 album The High Road.
“The Draft is one of those weekends where you can feel how much the game means to people,” Brown said. “Being part of that energy is going to be unforgettable.”
Event Details and Fan Experience
All performances will take place at the Draft Theater adjacent to Acrisure Stadium. General admission is free, with standing room available on a first-come, first-served basis.
In addition to live performances, fans can attend the NFL Draft Experience presented by American Express, a free interactive festival featuring:
40-yard dash and football drills
Meet-and-greets with NFL Legends
Photo opportunities with the Lombardi Trophy and all 58 Super Bowl rings
On-field experiences at Acrisure Stadium
Youth clinics, games and fan activations
The NFL Draft Experience will be open:
Thursday, April 23: 12:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Friday, April 24: 12:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 25: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Fans attending are encouraged to download the NFL OnePass app via NFL.com/DraftAccess for event schedules, updates, and access to exclusive content and prizes, including a chance to win a trip to Super Bowl LXI in Los Angeles.
Broadcast Information
For fans unable to attend in Pittsburgh, the 2026 NFL Draft will be broadcast live across NFL Network, ABC, ESPN and ESPN Deportes, with streaming available on NFL+. Round 1 begins Thursday, April 23, followed by Rounds 2–3 on Friday and Rounds 4–7 on Saturday.
For more information, including registration and full event details, visit NFL.com/DraftAccess.