Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft gets underway tonight in Pittsburgh, but not before a rock concert that celebrates some local stars.
Poison frontman Bret Michaels will take the stage alongside rapper Wiz Khalifa at the Draft Theater next to Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Friday evening ahead of the second round.
Born in Butler, Pennsylvania, on March 15, 1963, Michaels brings four decades of proven production to a weekend defined by potential and upside.
Who Is Bret Michaels? Get to Know the NFL Draft Performer
Michaels turned 63 years old this past March. He released his first multi-platinum album with Poison in 1986. He has had an iconic rock career, and he’s looking forward to performing on this huge stage alongside rapper Wiz Khalifa.
“This is so awesome. I’m here at the stadium, I grew up in Pittsburgh. This is a bucket list dream comes true for me. I’m a sports fanatic, a music fanatic. I said it’s mixing everything I love, family, friends, music, sports, right here,” the Poison front man said.
“Music and sports and my family having my back has really not only inspired me in life, but saved my life on many occasions. It goes so deep, and the NFL has been so incredible to work with. Wiz Khalifa, myself, Friday, 5:15 PM, kicking off the Friday night draft with nothing but a good time. This is a good day in my life… We want to just provide some great music. Wiz and myself and the Bret Michaels Band, we just want to entertain people.”
Most players hearing their names called this weekend were born a decade or more after Michaels was a massive star with hits like “Every Rose Has Its Thorn,” “Nothin’ But a Good Time,” and “Talk Dirty to Me.” But Michaels still has plenty of fans, and this is an opportunity for him to reach new generations with his music.
The decision to feature Michaels heavily in the 2026 draft festivities extends beyond his musical catalog. The league values authentic regional connections when selecting its draft locations. Michaels leans into his Western Pennsylvania roots at every opportunity and actively embraces his status as a lifelong Steelers fan.
“What a bucket list blessing to be able to come home to rock the NFL draft in honor of the game I love, the city I love, the team I love,” Michaels shared in a statement ahead of the performance. He described the opportunity to welcome fans and honor the young talent entering the league as a dream come true.
He recognizes the deep connection between sports and entertainment in his hometown. “I live and breathe for music and sports,” Michaels told CBS News Pittsburgh. “I grew up here and as a diabetic, it has saved my life, the sports, the music, we talked about it.”
