Bret Michaels and the homecoming sound of a free NFL Draft night in Pittsburgh
bret michaels will take the stage in Pittsburgh as part of the NFL Draft Entertainment Series, one of several free performances set to unfold at the Draft Theater adjacent to Acrisure Stadium. The lineup brings together a country star, a hometown rapper, and a Pittsburgh-area rock name, turning a major sports weekend into a citywide music moment.
What has the NFL announced about the Draft concerts?
The NFL has announced that the NFL Draft Entertainment Series will be headlined by Kane Brown, Pittsburgh-native and Grammy-nominated rapper Wiz Khalifa, and Pittsburgh-area rock star Bret Michaels. The performances are planned for the Draft Theater adjacent to Acrisure Stadium, framing the entertainment as part of the broader Draft festivities and offering fans a free way to experience the event beyond the selections themselves.
For people arriving in the city, or for locals who measure springtime by the first big outdoor gatherings, the promise is straightforward: major names, no ticket required, and a stage set beside one of Pittsburgh’s signature sports venues.
When will Bret Michaels perform, and what does the schedule look like?
Wiz Khalifa and Bret Michaels are slated to perform on the second day of NFL Draft festivities, April 24. Their performance is scheduled for 5: 15 p. m. ET, ahead of Draft rounds 2 and 3 that evening. Kane Brown will take the stage for the finale of the 2026 NFL Draft entertainment series on April 25 following selections.
The first day also carries ceremonial music: KELS, a Pittsburgh-native and jazz-trained musician, will sing the national anthem. Before that, the James Weldon Johnson Foundation’s National Hymn Choir will appear, featuring The Heritage Gospel Chorale of Pittsburgh, conducted by Grammy Award-winning Dr. Jeffery Redding.
Why does this moment feel personal for the headliners?
For Wiz Khalifa, the Draft weekend is tied to a sense of return. “Coming home to Pittsburgh for the Draft is pretty special, ” Wiz Khalifa said. “This city raised me, and the energy here is different. Being back with the fans and representing the city in a moment like this just feels right. ”
Bret Michaels also framed the invitation in emotional terms, linking it to identity and allegiance. “I cannot be more honored, excited and fired up to be asked to perform at the Pittsburgh 2026 Draft on Friday night. As a Pittsburgh native and a diehard fan of the Steelers, the NFL and all things Pittsburgh, this is a dream come true, ” Michaels said.
Kane Brown described the Draft as a shared civic experience, not just a televised sports milestone. “The Draft is one of those weekends where you can feel how much the game means to people, ” Brown said. “Fans, players, the whole city, everyone’s part of it. Being here for that is going to be unforgettable. ”
How can fans attend the free shows, and what should they expect?
The performances are free, and fans who wish to enjoy the entertainment series are encouraged to arrive early. Standing room is available on a first-come, first-served basis. That detail—standing room and the need to arrive early—signals the kind of atmosphere the NFL is setting: a high-demand public gathering where proximity to the stage is earned by time and patience, not price.
At the Draft Theater adjacent to Acrisure Stadium, the concerts sit beside the mechanics of the Draft itself. The scheduling places music directly before key Draft rounds, turning the wait between announcements into a live event and giving fans another reason to show up early and stay engaged.
As the second day approaches, bret michaels is positioned not only as a performer but as a local figure stepping into a nationally watched weekend—an appearance that, for many fans in the crowd, may feel like their city’s voice carrying through the Draft site before the next picks are called.
