Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers Travel Guide: Acrisure Stadium

How to Get There

• Flying In: You'll fly into Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT). Located about 20 miles west of downtown, it’s heavily serviced by Southwest, American, and Delta.

• Airport Transit: If you are staying downtown or on the North Shore, you don't necessarily need a rental car. You can take the PRT (Pittsburgh Regional Transit) 28X Airport Flyer bus directly from the terminal to downtown for under $3, or grab a 30-minute rideshare.

Where to Stay

Acrisure Stadium sits on the North Shore right along the Ohio River, offering an incredibly scenic setup. Staying on the North Shore puts you right next to the gates, while staying in Downtown Pittsburgh (the "Golden Triangle") gives you a phenomenal city experience with a highly unique game-day commute.

Budget Options

• Hyatt Place Pittsburgh-North Shore: Located mere blocks from the stadium and PNC Park, this is an incredibly popular spot for football weekends. It features a free hot breakfast and keeps you right in the middle of the North Shore pregame energy. As a Category 4 property, it can typically be booked for 12,000 to 18,000 World of Hyatt points per night.

• SpringHill Suites by Marriott Pittsburgh North Shore: Also situated right on the North Shore, this all-suite hotel gives you extra room to stretch out and includes a daily breakfast buffet. It provides fantastic walking access to the gates and usually runs between 20,000 to 30,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night depending on the game.  

Higher-End Options

• The Industrialist Hotel, Pittsburgh, Autograph Collection: If you prefer a historic downtown stay, this chic, upscale hotel is housed in the restored Arrott Building. It offers a stunning lobby, premium rooms, and easy access to the light rail. Expect redemption rates to hover around 35,000 to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

• Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel: Located right on the Allegheny River in downtown, this luxury property offers breathtaking views of the bridges and the North Shore stadiums. It’s housed in the classic Fulton Building and puts you right at the foot of the Roberto Clemente Bridge for an iconic walk to the game. It usually requires 40,000 to 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

Nearby Activities

• The Duquesne Incline: You have to ride this historic, century-old wooden cable car up Mt. Washington. It offers the absolute best panoramic view of the downtown skyline and the confluence of the three rivers.  

• The Strip District: Spend your Saturday morning walking this historic market district. It is packed with street vendors, local shops, and die-hard Steelers fans buying black-and-gold gear.

Pregame Food and Drink

• The Gold Lots: Tailgating in Pittsburgh is a massive, generational tradition. The Gold Lots surrounding Acrisure Stadium open up hours before kickoff and fill with custom buses, Terrible Towels, and incredible local food setups.

• Stage AE: Located directly next to the stadium, this massive indoor/outdoor concert venue transforms into the official pregame tailgate zone. It features live bands, huge screens, and an expansive outdoor patio packed with fans.  

• North Shore Bars: If you want a traditional sports bar vibe right by the stadium, head to McFadden's or Tequila Cowboy. They sit right on the riverfront and get absolutely packed shoulder-to-shoulder with Steeler Nation.

• Primanti Bros: No trip to Pittsburgh is complete without eating here. Stop by their original location in the Strip District or the Market Square spot downtown for their legendary sandwich piled high with french fries and coleslaw right on the bread.

Getting to the Event

• The Gateway Clipper (The Ultimate Commute): This is arguably the most unique game-day arrival in the NFL. You can board a multi-deck riverboat at Station Square and ride the Gateway Clipper Shuttle directly across the river, stepping off right at the stadium gates.

• Walking the Bridges: If you stay downtown, the best way to arrive is to join the sea of black and yellow jerseys walking across the Fort Duquesne Bridge or the Roberto Clemente Bridge. It is a highly scenic, completely free, and iconic Pittsburgh experience.

• The "T" (Light Rail): Pittsburgh's light rail system (The "T") is completely free to ride anywhere within the downtown "Free Fare Zone" and the North Shore. You can hop on downtown and take it directly to the Allegheny Station, which drops you off right next to the stadium.

Where to Sit at Acrisure Stadium

Acrisure Stadium is famously open on its south end, meaning the swirling winds coming off the confluence of the three rivers can make kicking a nightmare and drastically drop the temperature in the stands during winter games.

• The Steelers Sideline: The home sideline is on the West side of the field (Sections 130-139). These seats offer a great view of the Steelers bench and the downtown skyline, and they tend to get shade earlier in the afternoon.

• Away Fans: The visitor's sideline is on the East side (Sections 109-115). If you are attending a 1:00 PM game early in the season, this side of the stadium will be staring directly into the sun for a large portion of the game, so bring sunglasses.

• The Premium Experience: The UPMC Club (West Sideline) and the PNC Champions Club (South End Zone) offer the best luxury setups. These sections provide padded, extra-wide seats and exclusive access to massive indoor, climate-controlled lounges with premium food—an absolute necessity if you want to escape the biting wind of a December game.

• The Budget Seats: The 500-level (upper deck) provides the cheapest tickets. While the panoramic views of the field and the city are spectacular, be warned: there is zero protection from the elements up here. If you buy upper-deck seats late in the season, dress in heavy layers to combat the wind chill.