When does the NFL draft start tonight? Time, TV channel for first round

Ty Simpson of the Alabama Crimson Tide scrambles during the first quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers in the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2026, in Pasadena, California.

Garrett Nussmeier of the LSU Tigers drops back to pass against the Baylor Bears during the first half in the Kinder's Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium on December 31, 2024, in Houston, Texas.

Cade Klubnik of the Clemson Tigers warms up during the first half of a football game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 29, 2025, in Columbia, South Carolina.

Drew Allar of the Penn State Nittany Lions reacts after a touchdown against the UCLA Bruins during the fourth quarter at Rose Bowl Stadium on October 04, 2025, in Pasadena, California.

Miami's Carson Beck throws during the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.

Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Taylen Green passes during the third quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

Colorado Buffaloes linebacker LaVonta Bentley #20 tackles North Dakota State Bison quarterback Cole Payton #9 in the first half at Folsom Field.

Luke Altmyer of the Illinois Fighting Illini throws a pass against the Western Illinois Leathernecks during the first half at Memorial Stadium on August 29, 2025, in Champaign, Illinois.

Diego Pavia of the Vanderbilt Commodores makes adjustments prior to the snap during the second quarter of the game against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 01, 2025, in Austin, Texas.

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See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft

Quarterbacks headline early evaluations for the 2026 NFL Draft as teams begin sorting the best available prospects at the position.

See the college quarterbacks drawing attention as draft boards take shape ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Above, Fernando Mendoza of the Indiana Hoosiers reacts after a touchdown against the Oregon Ducks during the fourth quarter of the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 09, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia.

1 / 10

See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft

Quarterbacks headline early evaluations for the 2026 NFL Draft as teams begin sorting the best available prospects at the position.

See the college quarterbacks drawing attention as draft boards take shape ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Above, Fernando Mendoza of the Indiana Hoosiers reacts after a touchdown against the Oregon Ducks during the fourth quarter of the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 09, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia.

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See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft

Ty Simpson of the Alabama Crimson Tide scrambles during the first quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers in the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2026, in Pasadena, California.

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See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft

Garrett Nussmeier of the LSU Tigers drops back to pass against the Baylor Bears during the first half in the Kinder's Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium on December 31, 2024, in Houston, Texas.

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See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft

Cade Klubnik of the Clemson Tigers warms up during the first half of a football game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 29, 2025, in Columbia, South Carolina.

5 / 10

See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft

Drew Allar of the Penn State Nittany Lions reacts after a touchdown against the UCLA Bruins during the fourth quarter at Rose Bowl Stadium on October 04, 2025, in Pasadena, California.

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See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft

Miami's Carson Beck throws during the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.

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See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft

Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Taylen Green passes during the third quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

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See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft

Colorado Buffaloes linebacker LaVonta Bentley #20 tackles North Dakota State Bison quarterback Cole Payton #9 in the first half at Folsom Field.

9 / 10

See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft

Luke Altmyer of the Illinois Fighting Illini throws a pass against the Western Illinois Leathernecks during the first half at Memorial Stadium on August 29, 2025, in Champaign, Illinois.

10 / 10

See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft

Diego Pavia of the Vanderbilt Commodores makes adjustments prior to the snap during the second quarter of the game against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 01, 2025, in Austin, Texas.

When does the NFL draft start?

The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft is set to begin at 8 p.m. ET at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Thursday, April 23, 2025.

At that time, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will take the stage and make the famous announcement, "The 2026 NFL Draft is officially open. The Las Vegas Raiders are now on the clock."

While the Raiders have held that pick since the end of the regular season in early January, they will have eight minutes to make their selection.

Where to watch the NFL draft

The 2026 NFL Draft will be broadcast on NFL Network, ESPN, ESPN2, and ABC. Cord-cutters can also stream the draft live on NFL+; ESPN Unlimited & Select; and Fubo which comes with a free trial.

Here is the day-by-day breakdown for how to watch the event:

• Thursday, April 23: NFL Network, ESPN, ABC
• Friday, April 24: NFL Network, ESPN2, ABC
• Saturday, April 25: NFL Network, ESPN, ABC

Watch 2026 NFL Draft LIVE with Fubo

2026 NFL Draft order

Here's the full order for the first-round of the 2026 NFL Draft:

1. Las Vegas Raiders: 3-14 record; .538 strength of schedule
2. New York Jets: 3-14, .552
3. Arizona Cardinals: 3-14; .571
4. Tennessee Titans: 3-14, .574
5. New York Giants: 4-13; .524
6. Cleveland Browns: 5-12, .486
7. Washington Commanders: 5-12; .507
8. New Orleans Saints: 6-11; .495
9. Kansas City Chiefs: 6-11; .516
10. New York Giants (via Cincinnati): 6-11; .521
11. Miami Dolphins: 7-10; .488
12. Dallas Cowboys: 7-9-1; .438
13. Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta): 8-9; .495
14. Baltimore Ravens: 8-9; .507
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 8-9, .529
16. New York Jets (via Indianapolis): 8-9; .540
17. Detroit Lions: 9-8; .490
18. Minnesota Vikings: 9-8; .514
19. Carolina Panthers: 8-9, .522
20. Dallas Cowboys (via Green Bay): 9-7-1; .483
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: 10-7; .503
22. Los Angeles Chargers: 11-6; .469
23. Philadelphia Eagles: 11-6; .476
24. Cleveland Browns (via Jacksonville): 13-4; .478
25. Chicago Bears: 11-6; .458
26. Buffalo Bills: 12-5, .471
27. San Francisco 49ers: 12-5, .498
28. Houston Texans: 12-5; .522
29. Kansas City Chiefs (via Los Angeles Rams): 12-5, .526
30. Miami Dolphins (via Denver Broncos) 14-3; .422
31. New England Patriots: 14-3; .391
32. Seattle Seahawks: 14-3; .498

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 NFL draft start time and TV channel today