Pittsburgh is set to host theNFL Draft from April 23–25, its first time holding the event since 1948. Officials expect over 700,000 fans at Point State Park and Acrisure Stadium, with another 50 million watching online or on TV.
However, the scale of the event has triggered security concerns among lawmakers. Since the U.S.-Israel military campaign against Iran began on Feb. 28, the domestic threat level has risen.
Former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem recently testified to Congress that the nation has seen a rise in the domestic threat environment since the start of the war. So, a packed outdoor event drawing hundreds of thousands of Americans is now a different kind of security calculation than it was a year ago.
U.S. senator urges DHS to boost security for 2026 NFL Draft
Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman sent a formal letter to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin recently, requesting that the Department of Homeland Security elevate the Draft’s Special Event Assessment Rating from a Level 3 to a Level 2 SEAR designation.
2026 NFL Draft logo
Feb 6, 2026; San Francisco, CA, USA; The 2026 NFL Draft logo at the Super Bowl LX Experience at the Moscone Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
“I urge the Department of Homeland Security to elevate the Special Event Assessment Rating for the National Football League’s 2026 Draft in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to ensure the safety of participants and fans at the event. The NFL Draft is one of the most iconic sporting events held each year,” hewrote.
Sen. Fetterman requests increased federal security support for NFL Draft in Pittsburgh https://t.co/eWlGdsGVBo pic.twitter.com/CYoOJDZLtU
— WPXI (@WPXI) April 4, 2026
He argued that the Draft’s current Level 3 rating, which offers limited federal help, is no longer enough. Citing the war in Iran as the primary risk, he is pushing for a Level 2 designation. This upgrade would bring in more federal and local police, counter-drone technology, K-9 units, and better intelligence sharing.
“Increasing the SEAR designation for the Draft will help ensure that additional resources are deployed to keep participants and fans secure and able to enjoy the Draft without fear,” Fetterman concluded.
However, the concern isn’t just the crowd size. Since the war began, federal officials have warned about potential Iranian attacks in the U.S. In February, the FBI even alerted California police about possible drone threats.
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Besides the NFL draft, the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to kick off across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico in June, has faced similar scrutiny. Officials are already warning about risks at fan zones and transit hubs. Both events are facing a security environment that is essentially brand new for American sports.