We are under 50 days from the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh & I CANNOT WAIT! I am already getting back into the football spirit with all the player shifts that have been shaking up team rosters during free agency. To help folks really get into the spirit ahead of the draft, I have rounded up some of my favorite football related activities in the Burgh! Some are free & some have a small cost, but all are filled with fun for the whole family.
Take the “On-The-Clock” Tour at Acrisure Stadium
Visit the Hall of Honor Museum at Acrisure Stadium to learn about Steelers football history & see rare team artifacts! The Hall of Honor Museum is home to 50+ inductees including this year’s inductees from the iconic Super Bowl XL season – Joey Porter, Ben Roethlisberger & Maurkice Pouncey. There is a limited edition “On-The-Clock” tour available starting 3/16 through 4/19 that includes special access beyond the normal year-round tours. The “On-The-Clock” tour features entry to the Steelers locker room, Ford Fan Zone, select premium spaces, field level access & of course entrance to the Hall of Honor *note the tours after 4/11 do not include locker room access. Weekday Tour times: 11am/12pm/1pm. Weekend Tour times: 10am/11am/12pm/1pm. Each tour lasts 2 hours. Tickets range from $50 to $75 depending on the date & are available for purchase here.
Shop Yinzer Goods in the Strip District
Shopping on Penn Ave in the Strip District is arguably one of the most classic Pittsburgh experiences. It’s here that you will see the heart & soul of the black & gold. Long standing family owned businesses & iconic yinzer shops line the street on both sides. Be sure to stop into shops like Yinzers in the Burgh & PGH Sports to look for classic yinzer collectibles & apparel. You’ll see unique t-shirts (some with raunchy wording 😂), jewelry, socks & other accessories as well as baubles & knick-knacks that scream Pittsburgh sports fan.
Visit the Draft Countdown Clock
Installed in early 2025, the official NFL Draft countdown clock can be found on the North Shore across from Acrisure Stadium. This clock has been counting down the days, hours, minutes & seconds to the start of the NFL draft. This clock also is a nod to all of the neighborhoods that make up Pittsburgh & each school district that makes up Western PA’s football programs. Stop by the clock to find your neighborhood & school district! PS: It’s also a great photo op.
See The Football Town at Kamin Science Center
People that aren’t from Pittsburgh always ask me if I’d ever move to another city & I reply with “probably not, Pittsburgh is my perfect city” & this documentary narrated by Pat McAfee tells the story why. The Football Town is a 52 minute documentary produced by NFL Films & shows that in Western PA football is more than a game, it’s a culture. The documentary features footage from a classic fall weekend in Pittsburgh – Friday night lights, Pop Warner football on Saturday mornings, college football Saturday afternoons & Steeler Sundays. The Football Town will be screening exclusively at the Giant Cinema at the Kamin Science Center. Tickets are $10 & are available here!
Visit the Heinz History Center
Named the best history center in the US for the third consecutive year & home to the Western PA Sports Museum, the Heinz History Center is a must-do for anyone who lives in Pittsburgh or is just visiting. You’ll find a lot of general PA history as well as Heinz-related history, but in the Western PA Sports Museum on the 3rd floor, you’ll find an incredible amount of memorabilia from college & professional football programs. You’ll also find other Western PA sports moments & memorabilia highlighted throughout the museum such as Stanley Cup wins & even unique sports history like competitive marbles! Admission is $20 or less depending on age & tickets are available here.
Check Out Local Thrift & Vintage Shops
With the Steelers having such a rich franchise history, there are some really sick old school pieces in circulation. Some shops I’ve purchased from in the past or have been wanting to check out are Zeds, B-Sides, Monarch Studios, Rick’s Vintage & The Closet. I tend to gravitate more towards cold weather staples because ya know Pittsburgh weather…
The 412 Franimal 