More than 165 small businesses in the Greater Pittsburgh region will get to put their skills to work during the 2026 NFL Draft. “NFL recognizes that our small and local businesses are really the backbone of local economy,” said Myisha Boyce, the lead on the 2026 NFL Draft Source Program. “So, we are trying to get as many of them involved in event-ready production services as possible.” Tuesday marked the official kickoff of the procurement program, which will offer local and diverse businesses from 10 western Pennsylvania counties the opportunity to lend their expertise and be part of making the three-day event happen. “So, everything from wash and fold to golf carts to florals to linens, food and beverage. It’s really anything that you would see at a world-class event,” Boyce said. “We are looking to bring in local businesses to help us make sure those things are successful.”Boyce said the pool of more than 1,800 applicants was narrowed down to the roughly 165 in a competitive selection process. Carol Philp, the Founder and CEO of CPI Creative in Aspinwall, already had the chance to do business at the program’s welcome event inside Acrisure Stadium Tuesday. “We got a call this week and they said we need some notepads and pens real quick, so we did these and got them here for the event,” Philp said. Emmai Alaquiva is the president and CEO of Ya Momz House, Inc., a digital media and creative agency chosen to take part in the program. “We are proud to document this story in all types of ways, whether it’s photography, whether it’s cinematography or videography. We are really, really excited to take this next level and to take Pittsburgh to the next level with NFL,” Alaquiva said. According to Derek Dawson with Visit Pittsburgh, the draft has the potential to bring around 750,000 people to the Steel City.“This is a great opportunity to take part in one of the biggest events that Pittsburgh has ever hosted,” Dawson said. “There will be opportunities for these businesses to network with the NFL Tier One suppliers and vendors. There will be capacity-building opportunities for these businesses to take part in. And ultimately, we want this program to live on beyond the NFL Draft.” NFL officials said there will be plenty of opportunities for businesses who weren’t selected to get involved too as the draft gets closer.

PITTSBURGH —

More than 165 small businesses in the Greater Pittsburgh region will get to put their skills to work during the 2026 NFL Draft.

“NFL recognizes that our small and local businesses are really the backbone of local economy,” said Myisha Boyce, the lead on the 2026 NFL Draft Source Program. “So, we are trying to get as many of them involved in event-ready production services as possible.”

Tuesday marked the official kickoff of the procurement program, which will offer local and diverse businesses from 10 western Pennsylvania counties the opportunity to lend their expertise and be part of making the three-day event happen.

“So, everything from wash and fold to golf carts to florals to linens, food and beverage. It’s really anything that you would see at a world-class event,” Boyce said. “We are looking to bring in local businesses to help us make sure those things are successful.”

Boyce said the pool of more than 1,800 applicants was narrowed down to the roughly 165 in a competitive selection process.

Carol Philp, the Founder and CEO of CPI Creative in Aspinwall, already had the chance to do business at the program’s welcome event inside Acrisure Stadium Tuesday.

“We got a call this week and they said we need some notepads and pens real quick, so we did these and got them here for the event,” Philp said.

Emmai Alaquiva is the president and CEO of Ya Momz House, Inc., a digital media and creative agency chosen to take part in the program.

“We are proud to document this story in all types of ways, whether it’s photography, whether it’s cinematography or videography. We are really, really excited to take this next level and to take Pittsburgh to the next level with NFL,” Alaquiva said.

According to Derek Dawson with Visit Pittsburgh, the draft has the potential to bring around 750,000 people to the Steel City.

“This is a great opportunity to take part in one of the biggest events that Pittsburgh has ever hosted,” Dawson said. “There will be opportunities for these businesses to network with the NFL Tier One suppliers and vendors. There will be capacity-building opportunities for these businesses to take part in. And ultimately, we want this program to live on beyond the NFL Draft.”

NFL officials said there will be plenty of opportunities for businesses who weren’t selected to get involved too as the draft gets closer.