Watch \u201cBlack & Gold Draft 2026\u201d in the video player above.<\/p>\n
PITTSBURGH, Pa. (WHTM) \u2014 U.S. Sen. John Fetterman (D) requested Homeland Security to provide more security for the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.<\/p>\n
The senator cited a \u201cchanging threat environment in the wake of the war in Iran\u201d for the request, which he made in a letter<\/a> to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin last week.<\/p>\n Close<\/a><\/p>\n Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n Watch for us in your inbox.<\/p>\n Subscribe Now<\/p>\n More than 700,000 people are expected to attend NFL Draft events at Point State Park and Acrisure Stadium, the home of the Pittsburgh Steelers, between April 23 and 25. Homeland Security gave the event a level 3 Special Event Assessment Rating, meaning it\u2019s of national or international importance but requires only limited federal support.<\/p>\n Fetterman asked Mullin to elevate the event to level 2 SEAR, which would deploy federal law enforcement equipped with counter-drone support, K-9 units and intelligence analysis. The designation also provides interagency support and a federal coordination team with a representative for the Homeland Security secretary.<\/p>\n Homeland Security uses a risk-based methodology to determine an event\u2019s SEAR level. It looks at an event\u2019s significance, crowd size, potential threats, effect on critical infrastructure and level of media attention. The Super Bowl, Boston Marathon and Rose Bowl are level 1 SEAR, while the Indianapolis 500 is a level 2 SEAR and the Masters Tournament is a level 3 SEAR.<\/p>\n Corey O\u2019Connor discusses NFL Draft preparations <\/a><\/p>\n The NFL Draft Experience is free to attend and does not require a ticket, but fans do need to register with NFL One Pass.<\/p>\n Pittsburgh will also host the NFL Draft Entertainment Series during the three day event. The NFL announced Thursday the concert series will feature Pittsburgh artists KELS, Wiz Khalifa and Bret Michaels<\/a>, who grew up in Mechanicsburg<\/p>\n Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.<\/p>\n