You're probably pacing a little bit right now. If you're a fan of a team like the Panthers or the Giants, tonight isn't just a Thursday; it's the start of a whole new era. Or at least, that’s what we tell ourselves every April before the first pick is even announced. If you are wondering what time is draft tonight, you need to be ready by 8:00 p.m. ET. That is the official kickoff for Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft.
But look, "8:00 p.m." is a bit of a loose term in the world of TV broadcasting.
If you tune in exactly at 8:00, you’re going to get a lot of shots of Commissioner Roger Goodell walking onto a massive stage, likely getting booed—which is basically a tradition at this point—and a whole lot of hype videos. The actual first pick? That usually doesn't happen until about 8:15 or 8:20 p.m. ET. Don't be the person who sprints to the couch and misses their wings because they thought the clock started ticking at 7:59. You've got a little bit of a buffer, but not much.
The Logistics of What Time is Draft Tonight and Where to Find It
The NFL doesn't make it hard to find the draft, but they do make it everywhere. You can catch the broadcast on ESPN, ABC, and NFL Network. If you’re a cord-cutter, you’re looking at streaming options like FuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, or the NFL+ app.
It's actually kind of wild how much the start time matters for the strategy. Every team has 10 minutes on the clock during the first round.
10 minutes.
It sounds like a long time until you’re in a "war room" trying to decide if you want to trade three years of future picks for a quarterback who might have a questionable deep ball. Because the draft starts at 8:00 p.m. ET, and there are 32 picks in the first round, don't expect to go to bed early. This thing usually drags on until well past 11:30 p.m. or even midnight on the East Coast. If you’re on the West Coast, you’re in the sweet spot—starting at 5:00 p.m. and finishing just in time for dinner.
Why the 8:00 PM Start Time Actually Matters
The NFL is obsessed with primetime. They moved the draft to Thursday nights years ago because the ratings were just too good to ignore. By scheduling it for 8:00 p.m. ET, they maximize the audience across the entire United States. It’s a massive production.
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Honestly, the "pre-game" coverage starts way earlier. You can find analysts talking themselves into circles as early as noon. But the real meat, the stuff you actually care about, is that 8:00 p.m. window.
If you are following along on social media, be careful. The "insiders" like Adam Schefter or Ian Rapoport often tweet out the picks a few minutes before they are announced on the stage. If you want the surprise of the Commissioner reading the name, put your phone face down. Seriously. There is nothing worse than seeing a tweet that says "The Jets are taking..." while the TV is still showing a commercial for a truck you can't afford.
Breaking Down the Full Three-Day Schedule
While you're focused on what time is draft tonight, remember that this is a marathon, not a sprint. The draft is split into three distinct days, and the start times change as the weekend progresses.
- Thursday, April 23 (Round 1): Starts at 8:00 p.m. ET. This is the big one. The glitz, the suits, the tears.
- Friday, April 24 (Rounds 2-3): Starts at 7:00 p.m. ET. This night moves a bit faster. Teams only get 7 minutes per pick in Round 2 and 5 minutes in Round 3.
- Saturday, April 25 (Rounds 4-7): Starts at 12:00 p.m. ET. This is the "deep dive" day. It’s for the die-hards who want to know who the backup long snapper for the Lions is going to be.
The Friday start time is the one that usually catches people off guard. Because it’s an hour earlier than the Thursday start, people often miss the first few picks of the second round while they're still finishing up work or sitting in traffic. Set an alarm for 7:00 p.m. ET on Friday if your team has an early second-round pick.
The Venue: Why the Location Shifts the Vibe
This year, the draft is taking place in a city that knows how to party, which always adds a layer of chaos to the broadcast. The fans in the "inner circle" have been standing there for hours. By the time 8:00 p.m. rolls around, the energy is through the roof.
I’ve noticed that when the draft is in cities like Nashville or Las Vegas, the "show" starts to take over the actual football. You'll see musical acts and celebrity appearances. If you're a purist who just wants to see the 40-yard dash times and the college highlights, you might find the first 30 minutes of the 8:00 p.m. broadcast a little annoying. Just hang in there. The actual football talk starts once the first team is officially "on the clock."
Common Misconceptions About the Draft Start
People always ask if the draft starts at the same time every year. Generally, yes. The NFL has found its "Goldilocks" zone with the 8:00 p.m. ET Thursday slot.
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However, don't confuse the "Red Carpet" coverage with the draft itself.
The Red Carpet stuff usually starts around 6:00 or 7:00 p.m. ET. That’s where you see the prospects wearing suits that cost more than my first car. It’s fun, but it’s not the draft. If you’re looking for the actual selection process, don't worry about anything before 8:00.
Another thing: the clock.
When the first team goes on the clock at 8:00 p.m., they don't have to wait the full 10 minutes. If they know who they want, they can turned in the card in 30 seconds. But they almost never do. Why? Because they are fielding trade calls. They are waiting to see if some desperate GM will offer them a king's ransom to move up to the number one spot. That’s why the first hour of the draft often feels slower than the rest.
How to Prepare for the 8:00 PM Kickoff
If you're hosting a watch party or just sitting solo on the recliner, you need a plan. The first round is long.
- Check your internet connection: If you're streaming, a 30-second lag is the difference between hearing your neighbor cheer and actually seeing the pick.
- Sync your apps: If you use a fantasy football app or a draft tracker, make sure it’s updated.
- Food timing: Aim to have the food ready by 7:45 p.m. This gives you time to settle in before the Commissioner takes the stage.
Think about the trades. Usually, around the pick 10 or 12 mark, things start to get weird. Teams start jumping each other. The "time" of the draft becomes less about the clock and more about the momentum. If a top-tier quarterback starts sliding, the pace of the draft actually feels like it picks up because the tension is so high.
What if My Team Doesn't Have a First-Round Pick?
This is the ultimate draft tragedy. You’re asking what time is draft tonight, you get all hyped up, you buy the chips, and then you realize your team traded their first-rounder away for a veteran wide receiver who had a "down year."
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Should you still watch at 8:00 p.m.?
Honestly, yes. Even if your team isn't picking, the moves made tonight set the board for tomorrow. If five quarterbacks go in the first round tonight, that means a really talented defensive end might fall to your team in the second round on Friday. Watching the first round gives you the context you need to understand why your team makes the move they do later in the weekend. Plus, the drama of a draft-day trade is better than most reality TV.
Final Logistics Check
To recap the essential info:
- Official Start Time: 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT.
- Channels: ABC, ESPN, NFL Network.
- Radio: ESPN Radio, SiriusXM NFL Radio.
- Expected End Time: Around midnight ET.
The 2026 class is particularly deep at offensive tackle and edge rusher. If your team needs help on the line, tonight is your Super Bowl. If they need a "franchise savior" under center, the stress levels are going to be peaking right around 8:15 p.m.
Make sure you have your remote handy, your phone silenced (unless you want spoilers), and maybe a cold beverage. The draft only happens once a year, and despite all the mock drafts and "expert" predictions we've endured for the last six months, nobody actually knows what’s going to happen. That’s the beauty of it.
Next Steps for Draft Night:
Verify your local listings to ensure your provider hasn't moved the sports channels to a different tier. If you're planning to stream, log in to your provider (like YouTube TV or ESPN+) now to handle any "password forgotten" emergencies before the 8:00 p.m. ET window begins. Finally, download a printable draft board or use a digital tracker so you can cross off names as they go—it’s the best way to keep track of which prospects are still available for your team's later picks.