What time does the NFL Draft 2026 start? UK time and schedule
Your guide to NFL Draft 2026 timings for UK-based fans.
The NFL Draft is here and set to offer up the sort of thrills that you'd usually expect to be saved only for the play-offs.
Think transfer deadline day on steroids and you might just start to get an idea of what the annual recruitment event, which takes place in Pittsburgh this year, is all about.
The stars of the future take centre stage during Thursday's first round but finding value on days two and three can be the real key to long-term success for NFL franchises.
The Tennessee Titans took Miami QB Cam Ward with the first pick of the 2025 NFL Draft and the Las Vegas Raiders are expected to follow suit by selecting Indiana passer Fernando Mendoza first off the board.
Die-hard fans in the UK will be staying up until the early hours of Friday morning, or perhaps setting their alarms, to watch the glitzy spectacle and find out who their team's newest stars are.
RadioTimes.com brings you all the details about when the NFL Draft will go ahead in 2026.
When is the NFL Draft 2026?
The NFL Draft 2026 takes place each evening from Thursday 23 April 2026 until Saturday 25 April 2025.
However, the first pick will not be made until the early hours of Friday 24 April 2026 in UK time.
What time is the NFL Draft in the UK?
The NFL Draft first round begins at 1am UK time in the early hours of Friday morning.
The second and third rounds will begin at midnight on Friday and run into the small hours, while the latter rounds get going at 5pm on Saturday.
NFL Draft 2026 schedule
All UK time.
Thursday 23 April
- Round 1 (1am Friday UK time) Sky Sports Main Event / Sky Sports Action / Sky Sports Mix / NFL Game Pass via DAZN
Friday 24 April
- Rounds 2 and 3 (midnight UK time) Sky Sports Action / Sky Sports Mix / NFL Game Pass via DAZN
Saturday 25 April
- Rounds 4, 5, 6 and 7 (5pm) Sky Sports Action / NFL Game Pass via DAZN
Each round of the NFL Draft will be preceded by full live build-up shows to be broadcast on Sky Sports Action.
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NFL Draft 2026 TV and online coverage
The NFL will be shown live on Sky Sports Action and Main Event, while fans can also tune in to watch it for free on NFL Game Pass via DAZN.
Sky Sports can be added to any Sky TV package for just £22 per month for all nine sports channels, or you can pick up the complete sports package plus Netflix for £35 per month.
Existing Sky Sports customers can live stream the Draft via the Sky Go app on a variety of devices.
You can watch the Draft with a NOW Day Membership for £14.99 or a Monthly Membership for £27.99, all without signing up to a contract.
NOW can be streamed through a computer or apps found on most smart TVs, phones and consoles. NOW is also available via BT Sport.
To watch for free on NFL Game Pass, all you need to do is sign up for a free DAZN account to tune into all three days of coverage from Pittsburgh across a range of platforms.
Check out more of our Sport coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
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