Every April, football fans across multiple time zones ask the same question: when does the NFL Draft actually start? The 2026 edition lands in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and whether you’re tuning in from New York, London, or Los Angeles, the windows differ — sometimes by hours. Here’s everything you need to pin down the exact start times for each day.

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Day 2 Start Time: 7 PM ET, April 24 ·
Day 3 Start Time: Noon ET, April 25 ·
Round 1 UK Start: 1 AM BST ·
Round 1 US Broadcast: ESPN, ABC, NFL Network

Bottom line

Day 3 offers the most viewer-friendly schedule for UK audiences at 5 PM BST, while US fans benefit from three distinct viewing windows spread across prime time and midday. Rounds 4–7 contain 152 of the draft’s 257 total picks, making Day 3 the longest and fastest-paced session of the three-day event.

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • The 2026 NFL Draft runs April 23–25 (ESPN)
  • Round 1 begins 8:00 PM ET on Thursday, April 23 (TechRadar)
  • Rounds 4–7 start at noon ET on Saturday, April 25 (ESPN)
2What’s unclear
  • Exact Round 1 end time depends on trade activity
  • Pre-draft coverage start times have not been officially announced
3Timeline signal
  • Round 1: 8 min per pick × 32 picks = roughly 4+ hours (FB Schedules)
  • Rounds 2–3 on April 24 begin at 7 PM ET (FB Schedules)
4What’s next
  • The Las Vegas Raiders hold the No. 1 overall pick
  • Fernando Mendoza (Heisman winner, Indiana) is widely projected as the top selection
Detail Value
Event Dates April 23–25, 2026
Round 1 Start (ET) 8:00 PM, Thursday, April 23
Round 1 Start (PT) 5:00 PM, Thursday, April 23
Round 1 Start (BST) 1:00 AM, Friday, April 24
Rounds 2–3 Start (ET) 7:00 PM, Friday, April 24
Rounds 4–7 Start (ET) 12:00 PM (Noon), Saturday, April 25
Rounds 4–7 Start (BST) 5:00 PM, Saturday, April 25
Total Picks 257 across seven rounds
Round 1 Pick Time 8 minutes per pick
Host City Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Acrisure Stadium)

What time does day 2 of the NFL Draft start?

Day 2 covers Rounds 2 and 3, and it kicks off at 7:00 PM ET on Friday, April 24. For Central Time viewers, that translates to 6:00 PM CT. UK fans are looking at midnight BST — essentially the early hours of Friday morning.

Broadcast details

  • Rounds 2–3 air on ESPN, ABC, and NFL Network (TechRadar)
  • Streaming options in the US include ESPN+, NFL+, Disney+, and the ESPN App (ESPN)
  • Round 2 picks receive 7 minutes each, while Round 3 selections get 5 minutes each (FB Schedules)

Time zones

With 105 picks across Rounds 2 and 3, the time allocations mean Day 2 typically runs around 3–4 hours, depending on how quickly picks are made. The pacing is noticeably faster than Round 1, so viewers in the UK who tune in at midnight BST can expect the session to wrap before dawn.

What to watch

Day 2 is where team trades reshape the board dramatically. Fans tracking specific prospects — particularly those projected in the second and third rounds — should stay tuned well past the expected end time.

What time does the day 3 NFL Draft start?

Day 3 covers Rounds 4 through 7 and starts at noon ET on Saturday, April 25. That means 11:00 AM CT for Central Time viewers and 5:00 PM BST for UK audiences. The pace picks up considerably: picks in Rounds 4–6 are allocated just 5 minutes each, while Round 7 drops to 4 minutes per selection.

Rounds 4–7 details

  • Rounds 4–7 contain 152 picks total (out of 257 total draft picks) (TechRadar)
  • In the US, Day 3 coverage continues on ESPN and NFL Network
  • In Australia, the draft will be shown on 7Plus (TechRadar)

Pick timing

With 5 minutes per pick for Rounds 4–6, the selection process moves briskly. At that rate, 120 picks consume roughly 10 hours — meaning Day 3 can extend well into the evening. For fans watching from the UK at 5:00 PM BST, planning for a multi-hour session is advisable.

Draft day timeline

Date Event
Thursday, April 23 Round 1 begins at 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT / 1:00 AM BST (Friday)
Friday, April 24 Rounds 2–3 begin at 7:00 PM ET / 12:00 AM BST (Midnight)
Saturday, April 25 Rounds 4–7 begin at noon ET / 5:00 PM BST

What time does the NFL Draft start in the UK?

UK viewers need to set their alarms accordingly: Round 1 begins at 1:00 AM BST on Friday, April 24. Rounds 2–3 follow at midnight BST on Friday morning (essentially the early hours), while Rounds 4–7 air at 5:00 PM BST on Saturday afternoon — the most viewer-friendly window for UK audiences.

Round 1 timing

The early-morning slot for Round 1 is a consequence of the three-hour time difference between ET and GMT. With 32 picks at 8 minutes each, Round 1 could stretch past 5:00 AM BST depending on trade activity and pick speed. ESPN will broadcast the draft for the 47th consecutive year (ESPN).

Broadcast options

  • Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Main Event will broadcast the draft in the UK (Radio Times)
  • NFL Game Pass via DAZN offers free streaming in the UK (TechRadar)
  • DAZN offers free NFL Game Pass streaming in Canada, UK, Australia, and most countries outside the US (TechRadar)
The trade-off

UK fans choosing between Sky Sports and DAZN should note that DAZN’s free tier removes cost barriers, but Sky Sports offers dedicated commentary and analysis. Viewers prioritizing the most convenient access should go with DAZN; those wanting fuller broadcast production may prefer Sky Sports.

What time does the NFL Draft broadcast start?

The actual draft selections begin at 8:00 PM ET on Thursday, April 23. However, pre-draft coverage typically starts earlier — usually 30–60 minutes before the first pick — on ESPN, ABC, and NFL Network. Exact pre-show times are announced closer to the event.

Networks and streaming

  • In the US: ESPN, ABC, and NFL Network carry Round 1 (TechRadar)
  • Rounds 2–3: ESPN, ABC, and NFL Network
  • Rounds 4–7: ESPN and NFL Network
  • US streaming: ESPN+, NFL+, Disney+, ESPN App (ESPN)

Day-by-day

For US viewers, the schedule is straightforward: Thursday prime time for Round 1, Friday evening for Rounds 2–3, and Saturday midday for Rounds 4–7. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will announce all first-round selections (FB Schedules).

What time will the 2026 NFL Draft first round end in the UK?

The short answer is: it depends. With 32 picks at 8 minutes each, the math suggests roughly 4 hours and 16 minutes of picks alone — pushing the end time past 5:00 AM BST if trades are minimal. However, trade negotiations during picks can extend the clock significantly.

Estimated duration

Based on time allocations and pick counts, Round 1 typically runs 3.5–5 hours. Last year’s first round extended past 4 hours due to trade activity and lengthier selections. For UK viewers who plan to watch live from the start, preparing for a late-night (or early-morning) session is wise.

Factors affecting end time

  • Trade activity during Round 1 adds unpredictable delays
  • Commissioner announcements and player interviews extend pauses between picks
  • Network coverage may adjust length based on pacing

The implication: UK viewers who can’t stay up until 5:00 AM BST should consider watching highlights or replays via DAZN, which typically offers on-demand access for international audiences.

Confirmed vs. unclear

Confirmed

  • Round 1 begins at 8:00 PM ET on April 23 (ESPN)
  • Rounds 2–3 begin at 7:00 PM ET on April 24 (ESPN)
  • Rounds 4–7 begin at noon ET on April 25 (ESPN)
  • Round 1 airs on ESPN and ABC in the US (TechRadar)
  • The Las Vegas Raiders hold the No. 1 overall pick (ESPN)

What’s unclear

  • Exact pre-draft coverage start times
  • Whether on-demand replays will be available immediately after each round
  • Mobile app-specific streaming details for international viewers

What the broadcasters say

ESPN will broadcast the NFL Draft for the 47th consecutive year, making it the longest-running annual sports broadcast partnership in television history.

— ESPN (Sports broadcaster)

Round 1 selections are allocated 8 minutes per pick, with that time decreasing in later rounds — 7 minutes for Round 2, 5 minutes for Rounds 3–6, and 4 minutes for Round 7.

— FB Schedules (Sports schedule tracker)

NFL Game Pass via DAZN offers free streaming in the UK, making it the most accessible option for international fans who want live coverage without a cable subscription.

— DAZN (Streaming service)

The New York Jets hold the No. 2 overall pick, while the Arizona Cardinals round out the top three selections in the 2026 NFL Draft.

— TechRadar (Tech and streaming guide)

For UK-based fans, the choice between staying up until 1:00 AM BST or catching Saturday’s Day 3 at 5:00 PM BST comes down to priority: the drama of Round 1’s top selections, or the more relaxed viewing window of the later rounds. Streaming via DAZN removes the cost barrier for international audiences, making it the practical option for those outside traditional broadcast markets.

Frequently asked questions

Can a player refuse to be drafted? Technically, yes — a player can decline a selection, though doing so typically means waiting for the next draft cycle. The NFL has mechanisms to discourage holdouts, but they do occur.

Who was Mr. Irrelevant for the Chiefs?

Who was Mr. Irrelevant for the Chiefs? Mr. Irrelevant refers to the final pick of each NFL Draft. The identity of the 2026 Mr. Irrelevant will only be determined on Day 3, when Round 7 concludes.

Is the NFL Draft on Sky?

Is the NFL Draft on Sky? Yes. Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Main Event will broadcast the draft in the UK. DAZN also offers free streaming via NFL Game Pass for UK viewers.

What time is the NFL Draft today?

What time is the NFL Draft today? Round 1 starts at 8:00 PM ET (5:00 PM PT, 1:00 AM BST). Day 2 starts at 7:00 PM ET, and Day 3 starts at noon ET on April 25.

When does the NFL Draft end?

When does the NFL Draft end? The draft typically concludes by late Saturday afternoon or early evening, depending on pick speed. With 257 total picks and decreasing time allocations in later rounds, Day 3 can run 8–10 hours.

What time is the NFL Draft in Pacific Time?

What time is the NFL Draft in Pacific Time? Round 1 begins at 5:00 PM PT on Thursday, April 23. Rounds 2–3 start at 4:00 PM PT, and Rounds 4–7 begin at 9:00 AM PT on Saturday.

When does the NFL Draft start 2026?

When does the NFL Draft start 2026? The 2026 NFL Draft begins Thursday, April 23, 2026, with Round 1 starting at 8:00 PM ET. The venue is Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.


Related reading: Where to Watch Thursday Night Football · College Football Scores Today

Additional sources

sportingnews.com, cbssports.com, nfl.com

While the 2026 NFL Draft opens Round 1 at 8 p.m. ET on April 23, last year’s edition began at 8 p.m. ETbegan at 8 p.m. ET across three days in Green Bay.