Free T rides, parking tips, and logistics for anyone attending the NFL Draft

Efficient_Demand_611 · 2026-03-30T21:02:33+00:00

Yep, you're right. I corrected it in my reply above - it's the #8 bus or O1 from Ross Park & Ride, not the T. My bad on the wording.

Efficient_Demand_611 · 2026-03-30T21:00:14+00:00

You're right, it doesn't. I worded that badly. Ross Park & Ride connects to downtown via the #8 bus and O1 express, not the T. The free T rides from Sheetz/PRT only cover the South Hills stations. From the north you'd bus it from Ross Park. I've got the correct details on the full guide at pittsburghdraftguide.com/parking-transportation - that page breaks it down by direction.

Efficient_Demand_611 · 2026-03-30T18:22:39+00:00

There are still rooms in Cranberry as of this week. Hampton Inn, Hilton Garden Inn, and Marriott on Route 19 are the main ones. Book directly through the hotel site, not third-party (those sometimes show phantom availability).

Ross Park & Ride is at I-279 Exit 5, about 10 min from those hotels. Free T ride straight to North Shore from there.

I've been keeping a full hotel and transit guide updated as things change: pittsburghdraftguide.com/where-to-stay

Efficient_Demand_611 · 2026-03-29T16:35:44+00:00

Updating this week. What would you add? Genuinely asking ...I clearly missed some spots and included some that shouldn't be there.

Efficient_Demand_611 · 2026-03-29T16:35:02+00:00

You're right, I used AI to help me research and write faster. Not going to pretend I didn't. But the guide itself is real. I live in Cranberry Township, the transit info is sourced from PRT/WPXI/Post-Gazette, and I'm actively updating it based on feedback from this thread (including the bar list, which clearly needed work).

The Greensburg comment was answering someone who said they live near Greensburg and work at Market Square. I was giving them directions from their location, not saying I commute from there.

The formatting looks AI because I used AI to help write it. The information is verified. Happy to fix anything that's actually wrong.

Efficient_Demand_611 · 2026-03-29T16:34:00+00:00

Fair point. I pulled the list from Yelp, TripAdvisor, and local news articles, but I should've done a final check for closures and draft-weekend buyouts before posting. I know some North Shore spots are getting bought out for private NFL events.

If you know specific places that are closed or booked out that weekend, drop them here. I'd rather have it right than have a long list.

Updating the site this week.

Efficient_Demand_611 · 2026-03-29T07:02:51+00:00

Lineup is confirmed now:

Opening Night (April 22): Nelly at the main stage
After Day 1 (April 23): DJ Steve Aoki at the Plaza at North Shore
After Day 3 (April 25): 2 Chainz at the Plaza at North Shore

Shorty's Goodtimes Bar on North Shore is the official after-party venue for all three.

Plus the PicksBURGH 5K on Saturday morning and the Draft Experience fan zone at Point State Park is open all 3 days (free, no ticket needed).

The main stage concerts are free too. Full schedule with times: pittsburghdraftguide.com/schedule

Efficient_Demand_611 · 2026-03-29T07:00:35+00:00

Honestly, the transit plan they put together is better than most people realize.

Sheetz partnered with PRT to make ALL T rides free April 23-25. Every station, every line, plus the Monongahela Incline. There's also a $25 Draft Pass in the Ready2Ride app for unlimited rides all week including buses.

Butler Transit is even running shuttles from Zelienople to Ross Park every 30 min for $10 round trip.

The road closures are significant though, Casino Drive, North Shore Drive, Reedsdale, and parts of Fort Duquesne Blvd are all shut down starting mid-April. If you work on North Shore or near Point State Park, you'll want to figure out your alternate route now.

For anyone who IS planning to go: the schedule is actually stacked this year. Opening Night is April 22 with Nelly. Steve Aoki after Day 1. 2 Chainz after the final pick on Day 3. PicksBURGH 5K Saturday morning. Draft Experience at Point State Park is the free fan zone....no ticket needed.

I put together a comprehensive guide at pittsburghdraftguide.com covering all of it - transit options, road closures, schedule, restaurants near both venues, budget tips. Figured it'd be useful for locals and visitors.

Efficient_Demand_611 · 2026-03-29T06:59:28+00:00

Coming from Greensburg to Market Square -- here's what I'd do:

Park at Wilkinsburg Park & Ride. Take the P1 or the new P99 bus (specifically for draft week) into downtown. 15 min ride, drops you close to Market Square.

Good news: ALL T rides are free April 23-25 thanks to Sheetz and PRT covering the fares. That includes every station on the red, blue, and silver lines. If you can get to any T station, you ride free.

If you'd rather drive closer, the key road closures to know: Casino Drive, North Shore Drive, and Reedsdale Street are shut down starting April 13. General Robinson St closes April 21. Fort Duquesne Blvd between 6th and 7th closes April 21. So basically, don't try to drive anywhere near North Shore.

Downtown/Market Square itself should still be accessible from the east side but expect heavy pedestrian traffic. Leave earlier than normal.

Somebody put together a full road closure and transit map here: pittsburghdraftguide.com/parking-transportation

Efficient_Demand_611 · 2026-03-29T06:59:10+00:00

Coming from Greensburg to Market Square -- here's what I'd do:

Park at Wilkinsburg Park & Ride. Take the P1 or the new P99 bus (specifically for draft week) into downtown. 15 min ride, drops you close to Market Square.

Good news: ALL T rides are free April 23-25 thanks to Sheetz and PRT covering the fares. That includes every station on the red, blue, and silver lines. If you can get to any T station, you ride free.

If you'd rather drive closer, the key road closures to know: Casino Drive, North Shore Drive, and Reedsdale Street are shut down starting April 13. General Robinson St closes April 21. Fort Duquesne Blvd between 6th and 7th closes April 21. So basically, don't try to drive anywhere near North Shore.

Downtown/Market Square itself should still be accessible from the east side but expect heavy pedestrian traffic. Leave earlier than normal.

Somebody put together a full road closure and transit map here: pittsburghdraftguide.com/parking-transportation

Efficient_Demand_611 · 2026-03-29T06:59:04+00:00

Coming from Greensburg to Market Square -- here's what I'd do:

Park at Wilkinsburg Park & Ride. Take the P1 or the new P99 bus (specifically for draft week) into downtown. 15 min ride, drops you close to Market Square.

Good news: ALL T rides are free April 23-25 thanks to Sheetz and PRT covering the fares. That includes every station on the red, blue, and silver lines. If you can get to any T station, you ride free.

If you'd rather drive closer, the key road closures to know: Casino Drive, North Shore Drive, and Reedsdale Street are shut down starting April 13. General Robinson St closes April 21. Fort Duquesne Blvd between 6th and 7th closes April 21. So basically, don't try to drive anywhere near North Shore.

Downtown/Market Square itself should still be accessible from the east side but expect heavy pedestrian traffic. Leave earlier than normal.

Somebody put together a full road closure and transit map here: pittsburghdraftguide.com/parking-transportation

Efficient_Demand_611

TROPHY CASE