Everyone knows that the city of Pittsburgh bleeds black and yellow.
Better known as Heinz Field over the past two decades and sitting on the same grounds as the historic Three Rivers Stadium, Acrisure Stadium unequivocally upholds Steelers tradition and fanhood.
Opened: 2001 (as Heinz Field)
City: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Capacity: 68,400
Visited: Nov 2023
Location
It doesn't get much better than Pittsburgh's North Shore neighborhood, straddling the northern end of the city's ironic rivers and home to multiple professional sports venues.
The football stadium is situated directly west of the Pittsburgh Pirates' home ballpark (PNC Park), right at the intersection of the Ohio and Allegheny Rivers. This waterfront location just a 3-wood away from downtown makes for a spectacular gameday environment that seems to captivate the entire city. Even non-football fans can appreciate the incredible scenery that flanks the stadium.
If you're staying downtown, getting there is not difficult. It's about a 30-minute walk from the city's midpoint to the stadium gates, using one of several bridges to cross the Allegheny River. If trying to preserve energy for the game, you have the option of taking a very short subway ride. Those commuting from the burbs can take advantage of the I-279 and 65 freeways with exits just north of the stadium. Finite space between these roads and river, however, can make for some congestion when getting off the highway and while parking.
Just outside the stadium is a slew of breweries, gastropubs and restaurants, many of which are open for brunch prior to 1 PM kickoffs. If you're a craft beer connoisseur, you'll want to check out Southern Tier Brewery, The Foundry and Mike's Beer Bar. As you might expect, these places fill up quickly both before kickoff and after the game.
Score: 5/5
Venue
One of Acrisure's potential shortcomings centers around its rather old-school layout. Unlike most modern NFL stadiums, the seating area doesn't fully wrap around the field's perimeter. However, this is almost certainly by design, helping enable magnificent views of downtown Pittsburgh and the three rivers from the upper deck.
Like other franchises with elite tradition, the stadium's periphery is not polluted with corporate signage, the notable exceptions being the Pepsi-Cola and Peoples Gas structures standing beside the main jumbotron. Instead, the stadium's branding deliberately matches the city's broader sports aesthetic, with yellow seats overlaying a blackish / charcoal foundation.
Fans can be thankful that the stadium's designers consciously accounted for the volatile climate of western Pennsylvania: the elongated rafters in the upper most sections were a wise decision for shielding fans from the elements and (occasional) afternoon sun exposure.
Score: 3/5
Accommodations
Matching the blue collar nature of many season ticket holders, the original Heinz Field was unapologetically built for functionality over bedazzle.
Its array of food options is no where near as vast as newer stadiums, but the service is reasonably efficient and you'll still have your choice of various craft and light beers.
There is an emphasis on the franchise's history of winning, as evidenced by the walkway on the east side of the stadium that includes columns showcasing Super Bowl memorabilia and Steeler Hall-of-Famers. Aside from this type of shrine, don't expect too many other forms of fan engagement or on-premise entertainment.
But, what the venue lacks in amenities it generally makes up in convenience.
Aside from some congestion in the restrooms at halftime (commonplace for almost every stadium) there doesn't seem to be many entrance or exit locations where bottlenecks arise. Plus, getting around the stadium in general is not at all difficult.
One somewhat unique aspect of the viewing experience is the option to pivot from your seat to pseudo-Standing Room Only (SRO). Unlike many other stadiums, the event staff allows ticketed patrons to watch from the walking corridors along the two southern corners of the stadium, which provide four-plus levels of unobstructed views at the playing field. This is particularly valuable for fans that want to catch the game's final few minutes while avoiding congestion when the game clock hits triple zeros.
Score: 4/5
Atmosphere
The Steelers fan base supplies the type of gameday vibe you'd expect from such a storied franchise.
Even during mediocre stretches, they still show up - and on time. They are generally knowledgable of the team, tuned into the game and always donning black and yellow attire. In contrast to a certain other franchise based on the other side of the state, Steelers fans come off as generally respectful to opposing fans.
When the Steelers are on defense, there is plenty of noise, coupled with tens of thousands of Terrible Towels flying in the air. On third downs, you'll hear the sound of a steel mill horn, helping amplify the stadium's already-high levels of energy.
As a midwest-based organization, there is no shortage of tailgating and gameday rituals.
Despite some constraints on the total amount of tailgate-able space, Steelers fans seem to make use of every square foot: Gold Lot 1 - east of the stadium - is where you'll encounter the most impressive tailgating scene (just beware of the limited number of port-o-potties across the lots). You'll also find fans congregating in the green space along the riverfront, accompanied by tents, inflatable decor and pop-up pro shops.
Score: 5/5
Stadium Score: 4.3 / 5