The future of football has arrived as 257 college prospects will hear their names called during the 2026 NFL Draft. The 91st edition of the three-day event will take place from April 23-25 at Pittsburgh’s North Shore, airing live on ABC, NFL Network, and ESPN. The first draft in 40 years to take place in the Steel City will appear across a record-breaking nine platforms.
For the second time in franchise history, the Las Vegas Raiders hold the coveted No. 1 overall pick. In 2007, the Raiders selected LSU QB JaMarcus Russell at the top of the draft, and this year, there is much speculation they will go for another signal caller, with many analysts expecting Indiana Heisman-winning QB Fernando Mendoza expected to join the Silver and Black. Other top prospects expected to go early include Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love, Ohio State Edge Arvell Reese, Ohio State S Caleb Downs, Ohio State LB Sonny Styles, and Texas Tech DE David Bailey. You can check out the first round order here but expect a night filled with trades as teams look to secure their top prospect.
Adding to the intrigue of this year’s draft, broadcast-wise, it is the first since the ESPN takeover of NFL Media. The NFL now has a 10% stake in the network, and ABC, ESPN, and NFL Network will lean into different styles of coverage. ESPN and NFL Network will focus on team needs and on-field performance, while ABC will emphasize the storytelling side of each prospect’s path to the league.
More than 60 commentators and analysts will break down the event. On ESPN, host Mike Greenberg will be joined by Mel Kiper Jr., Booger McFarland, Louis Riddick, and Adam Schefter, with Laura Rutledge interviewing prospects live from the main stage. On ABC, host Reece Davis is joined by Kirk Herbstreit, Nick Saban, Desmond Howard, Field Yates, and Pete Thamel. On NFL Network, Rich Eisen is joined by Daniel Jeremiah, Charles Davis, Joel Klatt, Ian Rapoport, and Kurt Warner.
Beyond the main telecast, The Pat McAfee Show Draft Spectacular returns for the first round and will stream across YouTube, TikTok, X, and the ESPN app. College GameDay Built by The Home Depot will also air live from Pittsburgh on ESPN at 5 p.m. ET on Thursday and again on Friday, giving the draft a full day of pre-show buildup before the picks start flying.
When to Watch
First Round (Thursday, April 23)
- Time: 8:00 PM ET
- Channel(s): ABC, ESPN, NFL Network
- Stream: DIRECTV, Fubo, Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, ESPN Unlimited, Plex, or NFL+
Round 2 & 3 (Friday, April 24)
- Time: 7 PM ET
- Channel(s): NFL Network, ABC, ESPN
- Stream: DIRECTV, Fubo, Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, ESPN Unlimited, Plex, or NFL+
Rounds 4-7 (Saturday, April 25)
- Time: 12 PM ET
- Channel(s): ABC, NFL Network, ESPN
- Stream: DIRECTV, Fubo, Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, ESPN Unlimited, Plex, or NFL+
How to Watch the 2026 NFL Draft Live Without Cable TV
NFL Network and ESPN/ABC are the home of the 2026 NFL Draft, and cord cutters can watch all the action on the gridiron on Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, or any compatible device with a subscription to DIRECTV, Fubo, Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV. The draft and more exclusive content will also be available to stream on NFL+.
Plex users can stream this year’s draft on the NFL Channel. With an antenna, you can watch the NFL Draft for free by using a tool like AntennaWeb to find out which ABC affiliates are in your area. ESPN Unlimited will also stream each selection.
You can find out more about each streaming service below.
Watch the NFL Draft Live on DIRECTV
Stream the NFL Draft live with DIRECTV. The Entertainment package includes the 2026 NFL Draft on ABC and ESPN in a lineup of over 90 channels for only $89.99 per month. New subscribers can save $5 on the first month, dropping the price to $84.99. Unlock coverage on NFL Network by upgrading to the Choice plan, which includes 125+ channels for only $94.99 per month. For a limited time, new subscribers can get the Choice plan for $59.99 for the first month, that’s $35 in savings.
DIRECTV also offers a MySports package, a skinny bundle of over 20 sports-only channels, including NFL Network, Fox, ESPN networks, FS1, TBS, TNT, and local FOX, CBS, and ABC in select markets, for $64.99 per month. The bundle also includes thousands of hours of live sports, exclusive content, and more on ESPN Unlimited. New subscribers can get the MySports package for $44.99 for the first two months.
With all DIRECTV plans, there are no contracts, no hidden fees, and a subscription includes unlimited cloud DVR storage, multiview, and a 5-day trial for new subscribers.
Watch the 2026 NFL Draft Live on Sling TV
One of the most affordable ways to watch live NFL Draft coverage is with Sling TV. Sling offers draft coverage on NFL Network, ABC, and ESPN, with various plans and flexibility to choose from for as low as $4.99.
The Sling Orange package has NFL Draft coverage on ESPN and 30+ channels available in various options: $4.99 (Day Pass), $9.99 (3 Day Pass), or a $45.99 monthly option. ESPN is also available in the Sling Essentials skinny-bundle featuring 10+ channels for $19.99 per month. ABC (in select markets) and NFL Network are available in the Sling Blue package of 40+ channels for $45.99 per month. Both networks are included in the Sling Select skinny package of 10+ channels for $19.99 per month. With Sling Select + Essentials, you get NFL Draft coverage on all three networks (in available markets) and a lineup of 17+ channels for $34.99 per month.
With Sling, you can bundle and save and get the best of the platform with the Sling Orange & Blue plan for $60.99 per month. Never miss any of your favorite shows, movies, sports, or more with 50 hours of DVR storage included with each plan.
Watch the NFL Draft Live on Fubo
Stream the future of professional football during the 2026 NFL Draft live on ESPN, ABC, and NFL Network with the Pro plan from Fubo. Stream over 100 sporting events, in a lineup of over 210 channels for only $73.99 per month. Relive your favorite moments during the season and rewatch your favorite shows with unlimited hours and Cloud DVR space.
Fubo offers a Fubo Sports skinny bundle with 20+ sports-focused channels, including ESPN, FS1, NFL Network, local ABC, CBS, and FOX, for only $55.99 per month.
New subscribers can try Fubo for free and save up to $30 on the first month.
Watch the NFL Draft Live on Hulu + Live TV
Stream over 95 channels on Hulu + Live TV for $82.99 per month. The streamer includes all NFL Draft coverage on ABC, ESPN, NFL Network, and more popular entertainment, lifestyle, news, and sports networks. Plus, the service offers unlimited access to the Hulu library, Disney+, and live sports on ESPN Unlimited for no additional charge. Record your favorite shows and sporting events for up to 9 months with unlimited DVR storage.
New subscribers can try Hulu + Live TV free for three days.
Watch the NFL Draft Live on YouTube TV
Stream over 100 channels, including the 2026 NFL Draft on ABC, ESPN, NFL Network, and more, with YouTube TV for only $82.99 per month. The service includes unlimited DVR, multiview, and the ability to share 6 accounts per household.
For the best in sports, YouTube TV offers a Sports Plan skinny bundle that includes the NFL Draft and a 30+ channel lineup for $64.99 per month. With the Sports Plan, you get access to the same state-of-the-art features, and new subscribers can lock in the first year for $54.99 per month.
New subscribers can start their YouTube TV trial today and lock in 5 months for $67.99 per month.
Stream the NFL Draft Live on NFL+
As the official streaming service of the NFL, NFL+ allows you to watch live NFL games on your mobile device. The NFL+ plan allows you to stream live local and primetime regular and postseason games on your phone and tablet. Plus, you can watch NFL Network, listen to live game audio, stream NFL Films, and more on demand and ad-free, and much more for only $6.99 per month or $49.99 per year.
Upgrade to NFL+ Premium and get everything listed above, and you can stream NFL RedZone on your TV, PC, phone, or tablet and watch the All-22 coaches film, full and condensed replays for only $14.99 per month or $99.99 per year.
For a limited time, you can save 40% on the NFL+ Annual plans, dropping the price of NFL+ to $29.99/year and NFL+ Premium to $59.99/year.
2026 NFL Draft First-Round Order
- No. 1: Las Vegas Raiders
- No. 2: New York Jets
- No. 3: Arizona Cardinals
- No. 4: Tennessee Titans
- No. 5: New York Giants
- No. 6: Cleveland Browns
- No. 7: Washington Commanders
- No. 8: New Orleans Saints
- No. 9: Kansas City Chiefs
- No. 10: Cincinnati Bengals
- No. 11: Miami Dolphins
- No. 12: Dallas Cowboys
- No. 13: Los Angeles Rams (from Falcons)
- No. 14: Baltimore Ravens
- No. 15: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- No. 16: New York Jets (from Colts)
- No. 17: Detroit Lions
- No. 18: Minnesota Vikings
- No. 19: Carolina Panthers
- No. 20: Dallas Cowboys (from Packers)
- No. 21: Pittsburgh Steelers
- No. 22: Los Angeles Chargers
- No. 23: Philadelphia Eagles
- No. 24: Cleveland Browns (from Jaguars)
- No. 25: Chicago Bears
- No. 26: Buffalo Bills
- No. 27: San Francisco 49ers
- No. 28: Houston Texans
- No. 29: Kansas City Chiefs (from Rams)
- No. 30: Miami Dolphins (from Broncos)
- No. 31: New England Patriots
- No. 32: Seattle Seahawks