ESPN and The Walt Disney Company are expanding their footprint around the NFL Draft, delivering wall-to-wall coverage of the three-day event across a record number of platforms. Coverage begins Thursday, April 23, and runs through Saturday, April 25, from Pittsburgh.
ESPN, ABC and NFL Network will anchor the linear broadcasts, while ESPN’s digital ecosystem and social channels provide additional access points. For the first time, Disney+ and Hulu will also stream the network’s draft presentations, extending reach even further.
In total, fans will have access to 14 hours of coverage spanning all 257 selections. The opening night alone will feature five different viewing options, underscoring ESPN’s strategy of offering multiple entry points rather than a single broadcast feed.
As in recent years, each network will lean into a distinct editorial approach. ESPN and NFL Network will focus on football analysis, emphasizing team needs, roster construction and player evaluation. ABC will again take a storytelling-driven angle, highlighting player journeys and personal backgrounds to engage a broader audience.
Mike Greenberg returns to host ESPN’s main broadcast, marking his sixth time in that role. Rece Davis will lead ABC’s coverage, while Rich Eisen anchors NFL Network’s presentation for the 20th time. Analysts including Mel Kiper Jr., Daniel Jeremiah and Field Yates headline a group of more than 60 commentators on site.
Beyond the main telecasts, ESPN will surround the draft with extensive studio programming. Expanded editions of NFL-focused shows and daily staples will originate from Pittsburgh, alongside contributions from news and debate programs throughout the three days.
Thursday night’s first round will also include an alternative digital presentation. The Pat McAfee Show Draft Spectacular will stream live across multiple social platforms and the ESPN App, offering a more informal, personality-driven viewing experience.
Coverage continues Friday with rounds two and three, followed by a full day of programming Saturday. ESPN’s final-day presentation will be simulcast on ABC, while NFL Network maintains its own dedicated broadcast of the later rounds.
Additionally, ESPN Deportes will provide Spanish-language coverage of all seven rounds, and ESPN Radio will carry every pick. Reporting will extend beyond the main stage, with insiders positioned at team facilities and prospect locations to deliver real-time updates.
Since first televising the draft in 1980, ESPN has played a central role in shaping how the event is consumed. That presence will continue after the network and the NFL reached a long-term extension in 2025, ensuring ESPN remains a primary home for the draft in the years ahead. With more platforms, voices and viewing options than ever, ESPN’s 2026 coverage reflects the draft’s evolution into a multi-day media event that extends well beyond the traditional broadcast window.
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