When does the NFL draft start tonight? Time, TV channel for first round

[ASFN Admin]

The 2026 NFL Draft takes the league and its 32 franchises to Western Pennsylvania.

Pittsburgh – home of the Steelers – is one of the most historic NFL cities and has produced some of the league's most notable stars. Acrisure Stadium is ready to put on an NFL draft party.

The festivities are slated to kick off on Thursday night (8 p.m. ET) with the first of seven rounds. Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is widely expected to be the first player off the board when the Las Vegas Raiders are officially on the clock with the No. 1 overall selection.

From that point on, however, it is anyone's guess what the first night holds for the players hoping to hear their name called.

As the NFL prepares to welcome the league's next crop of stars, here's what to know about when the NFL draft starts tonight:

When does the NFL draft start?​

The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft is set to begin at 8 p.m. ET at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Thursday, April 23, 2025.

At that time, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will take the stage and make the famous announcement, "The 2026 NFL Draft is officially open. The Las Vegas Raiders are now on the clock."

While the Raiders have held that pick since the end of the regular season in early January, they will have eight minutes to make their selection.

Where to watch the NFL draft​

The 2026 NFL Draft will be broadcast on NFL Network, ESPN, ESPN2, and ABC. Cord-cutters can also stream the draft live on NFL+; ESPN Unlimited & Select; and Fubo which comes with a free trial.

Here is the day-by-day breakdown for how to watch the event:

• Thursday, April 23: NFL Network, ESPN, ABC
• Friday, April 24: NFL Network, ESPN2, ABC
• Saturday, April 25: NFL Network, ESPN, ABC

Watch 2026 NFL Draft LIVE with Fubo

2026 NFL Draft order​

Here's the full order for the first-round of the 2026 NFL Draft:

1. Las Vegas Raiders: 3-14 record; .538 strength of schedule
2. New York Jets: 3-14, .552
3. Arizona Cardinals: 3-14; .571
4. Tennessee Titans: 3-14, .574
5. New York Giants: 4-13; .524
6. Cleveland Browns: 5-12, .486
7. Washington Commanders: 5-12; .507
8. New Orleans Saints: 6-11; .495
9. Kansas City Chiefs: 6-11; .516
10. New York Giants (via Cincinnati): 6-11; .521
11. Miami Dolphins: 7-10; .488
12. Dallas Cowboys: 7-9-1; .438
13. Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta): 8-9; .495
14. Baltimore Ravens: 8-9; .507
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 8-9, .529
16. New York Jets (via Indianapolis): 8-9; .540
17. Detroit Lions: 9-8; .490
18. Minnesota Vikings: 9-8; .514
19. Carolina Panthers: 8-9, .522
20. Dallas Cowboys (via Green Bay): 9-7-1; .483
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: 10-7; .503
22. Los Angeles Chargers: 11-6; .469
23. Philadelphia Eagles: 11-6; .476
24. Cleveland Browns (via Jacksonville): 13-4; .478
25. Chicago Bears: 11-6; .458
26. Buffalo Bills: 12-5, .471
27. San Francisco 49ers: 12-5, .498
28. Houston Texans: 12-5; .522
29. Kansas City Chiefs (via Los Angeles Rams): 12-5, .526
30. Miami Dolphins (via Denver Broncos) 14-3; .422
31. New England Patriots: 14-3; .391
32. Seattle Seahawks: 14-3; .498

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 NFL draft start time and TV channel today

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