Being a member of the 2026 NFL Draft Source Program means a company has met all program eligibility requirements and was selected as an event-ready local provider of goods and/or services in their respective business specialty area. In addition to having access to free networking and capacity-building events, members are eligible to compete for contracts related to the 2026 Draft as well as inclusion in the 2026 NFL Draft Source member directory utilized by the NFL, the Pittsburgh Host Committee, and their partners. 

 It is important to note that securing a spot in the program does not guarantee that a contract opportunity will be presented.  

Member businesses accepted in the program will be a part of an exclusive listing of suppliers utilized by NFL event producers and vendors looking for experienced, qualified, local suppliers with the capacity to help execute Draft contracts.

However, once in the program, there is no distinction between members. Accepted businesses are considered “approved suppliers” which designates they have met all eligibility criteria of the 2026 NFL Draft Source Program.

The directory is a primary resource for NFL vendors and event producers associated with the 2026 NFL Draft. While there is an expectation for local business engagement by all NFL Vendors, they are not limited nor mandated to exclusively use companies listed in the 2026 NFL Draft Source member directory. This procurement program provides increased exposure to opportunity but remains a competitive process and will not guarantee contracting.

The member directory is intended to help promote accepted businesses to the NFL and its affiliates, including the Local Organizing Committee, including the Pittsburgh Steelers and Visit Pittsburgh, in preparation for the Draft. The directory will be available on the NFL’s internal website accessible by NFL prime vendors. At the conclusion of the 2026 Draft, the directory will be uploaded to the NFL’s National supplier database which may be accessed by NFL staff, teams, sponsors, and partner organizations affiliated with the NFL.

All words, logos, marks and images associated with the NFL, its clubs, and events, including the 2026 NFL Draft Source Program, Pittsburgh Steelers, VisitPittsburgh, Acrisure Stadium, NFL Shield, and all associated event logos are copyright protected brands and cannot be reproduced, copied, or utilized without written permission in any format (e.g., websites, social media, company newsletters, press releases, promotional items). Logos produced by the NFL may be provided for member use at the League’s discretion.

Draft contracting is a competitive 11-month process between June 2025 and April 2026. Businesses can be contacted to bid at any time during this period. Event producers and NFL vendors use the member directory as a tool to identify suppliers. All purchasing processes, decisions and timelines rest solely with the buyer. There is no centralized site for RFPs nor a master calendar of opportunities available. This is a vendor-led process, and buyers will contact members at their discretion. Members are encouraged to always be prepared, responsive, and keep all business information updated.

It is advantageous to attend events and activities related to the 2026 NFL Draft Source Program. Regular networking helps decision makers build direct relationships and better understand your company’s capabilities. Participation also increases member exposure and is noted in your company file. Finally, we encourage business owners to be responsive, honest about their capabilities, and flexible when meeting and working with buyers.

Please understand that there are no guarantees that participating in the Draft Source Program, or its activities, will result in a contract award.

The program is completely free and there are no costs associated with matchmaking, capacity building, or networking. However, the program encourages diversity certification which may carry costs to obtain and is the responsibility of the business. Additionally, there may be standard business development costs that the business may choose to incur that are inherent in any competitive bidding process (e.g., marketing materials, product samples).

Every contract will carry its own specific requirements. Member businesses must work directly with each contract owner to review and negotiate all compliance terms and timelines which can vary widely for each agreement.

Feedback from NFL buyers is as follows:

• Responsiveness is key: List your cell phone number in the directory, on your Source Program materials, and email. Buyers often work nights and weekends and will want to reach you directly.
• Be diligent in your reviews: It is important to carefully examine all legal agreements, deadlines, and requirements. Once engaged, businesses are responsible for executing on all agreed terms.
• UNDERPROMISE AND OVERDELIVER: Do not oversell your capacity or overbid your services. Businesses are expected to provide competitive pricing at the highest level of performance. Doing so nurtures the possibility for long-term relationships and future opportunities.

The goal of the 2026 NFL Draft Source Program is to create a robust database of event ready suppliers that can fulfill contracts related to Draft but also take advantage of long-term opportunities with the NFL, its teams and partners. As a legacy component of this program, member businesses will be included in the Draft directory which will continue to be used by the NFL and disseminated to partner organizations at the conclusion of the program.

No. Certification is not required to apply or to be a part of the program. However, accepted eligible participants are encouraged to become certified while in the program. All member businesses can benefit from the program’s capacity building and networking activities regardless of certification status.