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The future of the NFL gets its start this week in Pittsburgh as the 2026 NFL Draft kicks off. The Las Vegas Raiders will have the privilege of first pick, which is all but certain to be the national champion quarterback from Indiana, Mr. Fernando Mendoza. After that, it’s anyone’s guess what will unfold.
This year’s draft is switching up the timing in the first round in an effort to get the ball rolling a bit faster. Now, instead of 10 minutes in between picks, teams will only have eight minutes. Timing for the subsequent rounds will remain the same. All 32 teams will take turns selecting new players to build their rosters for next season and beyond. If you want to watch it all happen live, we’ve got you covered with all the essential details. Here’s what you need to know to watch the NFL Draft live.
When is the 2026 NFL Draft?
The 2026 NFL Draft will take place Thursday, April 23, through Saturday, April 25. Round one kicks off Thursday at 8:00 p.m. ET. Rounds two and three will be Friday, starting at 7 p.m. ET, and the final rounds, four through seven, will kick off at noon ET on Saturday.
Where is the NFL Draft this year?
The 2026 draft will take place at the Steelers’ Acrisure Stadium at Point State Park in Pittsburgh, Pa. This is the first time the draft will be held in Pittsburgh since 1948.
Where can you watch the 2026 NFL Draft?
Live coverage of the 2026 NFL Draft will air on ABC and ESPN for the eighth straight year. It will also air live on NFL Network. If you have a digital antenna, your local ABC station will carry all the action. For those without cable access, you have a few different streaming options. It’s ironic, given how complicated it is to actually watch NFL games, but I digress.
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The ESPN app will simulcast live coverage of the draft, so an ESPN Select or ESPN Unlimited subscription will unlock access. Plus, for the first time, ESPN’s coverage will also stream live and on demand on Disney+ and Hulu for subscribers.
Trying to tune in on the go? Live audio coverage of the 2026 NFL Draft will also be on SiriusXM NFL Radio, Westwood One Sports Radio, and ESPN Radio.
ESPN draft coverage will stream live and on deman on Disney+ and Hulu.
Credit: Disney
Can I watch the 2026 NFL Draft for free?
Surprisingly, yes, you can watch the entirety of the 2026 NFL Draft for free. As I said before, isn’t it ironic?
Tubi, the always-free streaming service of our dreams, will also provide live coverage and expert analysis of every round of the draft through the NFL Channel. You can also utilize free trials of live TV streaming services like YouTube TV, Fubo, or Hulu to watch for free. Just don’t forget to cancel before your trial ends, or you’ll be charged full price.
Streaming deals to watch the NFL Draft
If you want access to not only the 2026 NFL Draft live coverage but also ESPN’s new studio show, NFL Draft Daily, you’ll need either an ESPN, Disney+, or Hulu subscription. The only one of these three streamers to offer a free trial is Hulu (get 30 days for free). Fortunately, though, they all do offer a variety of discounts. We’ve rounded up the best streaming deals below for ESPN, Hulu, and Disney+.
free 30-day trial, then $11.99/month
ESPN deals
Hulu deals
Disney+ deals
Bundle deals
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How to Watch
