For Immediate Release
Media Contacts:
Scott Swegan | Chief Communications Officer | Pitt Athletics
sswegan@athletics.pitt.edu | 419-575-9148
Derek Scalzott | Sr. Dir. of Strategic Communications & Special Advisor to the President | Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
scalzott@trustarts.org | 412-471-8715
Pitt Athletics and the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust to Host
Pitt Block Party at Arts Landing During Draft Weekend
Fan-friendly celebration offers immersive football experience and
first-ever public event at Arts Landing in Downtown’s Cultural District
PITTSBURGH, PA, February 18, 2026: Pitt Athletics, in partnership with the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, today announced the Pitt Block Party at Arts Landing, a three-day celebration coinciding with the Draft week in Pittsburgh, April 23–25.
The event will welcome Pitt fans, football lovers, and the entire community for the first major event at Arts Landing—the Cultural Trust’s soon-to-debut four-acre civic space in downtown’s Cultural District. The Pitt Block Party at Arts Landing is designed to complement the Draft’s nearby location and schedule, alongside other “PicksBURGH” attractions, some previously and still to be announced.
The event will offer an immersive football experience that celebrates Pitt’s longstanding football legacy. Programming will include:
- An experiential Pitt Football museum and interactive draft showcase highlighting Panther greats and the program’s NFL pipeline
- Live music and entertainment
- Food trucks, beverages, and local vendors
- Activity zone and more TBA
Located in the heart of Downtown Pittsburgh’s Cultural District, Arts Landing will offer fans a central gathering place, within walking distance of the Draft Theater and Main Stage (North Shore) and Draft Experience (Point State Park), just steps from theaters, galleries, restaurants, and riverfront views, blending the city’s sports tradition with its vibrant arts scene.
“We’re excited to partner with the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust to create a one-of-a-kind experience for our fans during the 2026 NFL Draft,” Pitt Athletic Director Allen Greene said. “Hosting the NFL Draft is a tremendous moment for the city of Pittsburgh, and the Pitt Block Party at Arts Landing gives our community a dynamic, family-friendly alternative option to be part of the action away from the North Shore. From honoring the rich legacy of Pitt Football and its impact on the NFL to showcasing the energy of our city’s Cultural District, this event demonstrates that we are proud of our tradition, connected to our community, and excited about the future.”
“Arts Landing is a transformational civic space built to bring people together, much like a great game or unforgettable performance,” said Kendra Whitlock Ingram, President & CEO of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. “As we welcome fans for the very first time, we’ll celebrate the powerful roles that sports and the arts play in our city—and what Pittsburghers can build when we work together.”
Additional details for the free three-day event will be announced in March, including daily schedules and special appearances. Fans are encouraged to visit PittsburghPanthers.com and follow Pitt Athletics’ official social media channels for updates this spring.
A special Arts Landing media event and dedication ceremony will precede the Pitt Block Party in mid-April, with invitation from the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust still to come. The Grand Opening of Arts Landing will then coincide with the 2026 Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival, June 5-7 & 11-14. Visit TrustArts.org/ArtsLanding for more information.
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The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is one of the nation’s premier arts presenters and a major catalytic influence in Pittsburgh, having overseen one of the city’s most historic transformations: turning a seedy red-light district into a magnet destination for arts-lovers, residents, visitors, and business owners. Founded in 1984, the Cultural Trust presents an array of quality performing and visual arts, provides comprehensive educational experiences, and stewards Pittsburgh’s Cultural District as a national model of economic revitalization through the arts. Lauded as “the single greatest creative force in Pittsburgh,” the Cultural Trust has worked to make Pittsburgh a place where the arts can flourish. The 14-block Cultural District, a project of the Cultural Trust, has become a vibrant center for culture, art, food, and community in downtown Pittsburgh, providing a home for a broad range of performance groups and resident companies. Approximately one million people visit the Cultural District each year, generating nearly $200M in economic impact for the region.
TrustArts.org | Facebook · Instagram · TikTok
Arts Landing, a new four-acre outdoor civic space envisioned by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and designed by renowned landscape architecture firm Field Operations, promises to be one of the most transformative projects in the Cultural District in 25 years. The creatively designed and community focused destination will welcome residents and visitors, host festivals and performances, exhibit public art, and provide opportunities for everyday recreation and relaxation. Arts Landing will feature a one-acre Great Lawn, a permanent stage and canopy, downtown’s first playground, a visitor center, garden walk, flexible space, and recreation opportunities. The $31M civic space is a key part of the Downtown Revitalization Vision announced by the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, Allegheny County, City of Pittsburgh, and Urban Redevelopment Authority and Governor Shapiro’s 10-year $600-million-dollar plan to rejuvenate Downtown Pittsburgh.