PNC Park Overview
They say that it’s the best view of any Major League ballpark. And you know what? They’re right! If you haven’t been to PNC Park, then get ready to have your list of “favorite ballparks” unexpectedly upended.
But it’s not just the spectacular view of the Pittsburgh skyline and the Roberto Clemente Bridge that’s gonna get you. We also have some amazing food, delicious beer, friendly people, and a city that is really well known for being sports-crazed. Have you ever had a hoagie with pulled pork, pierogies, and sour cream? Well you’re about to. Or what about a gigantic pastrami sandwich with coleslaw and fries piled right on it? Yep … we’ve got those too. And barbeque? In Pittsburgh? Yep … some of that as well.
Just ask your friends who have been here – PNC Park is a can’t miss baseball stadium. So let’s get you prepped so you can do it right!
Our five-part guide to PNC Park will help you plan the perfect trip to experience baseball in Steel City. We’ll cover:
- Travel: How to get here
- Lodging: Where you should stay
- Local Transit: How to get around the city
- Ticketing/Seating/Premium: Where to sit, how to buy, and whether to opt for premium seating
- Gameday: What to do before/during/after the game
We hope you enjoy this insider look at PNC Park. Please be sure to sign up for our free newsletter to stay informed about events, schedules, onsales, ticket deals, and everything else you need to know to plan the best fan experiences.
Why you should visit PNC Park
The Spectacular View
Overlooking dawntahn Pittsburgh (you’ll pick up on the Pittsburghese quickly) and the Roberto Clemente Bridge, PNC Park has one of the most stunning backdrops in sports.
Fun Local Foods
From french fry-filled sandwiches at Primanti’s to pulled pork with pierogi hoagies to the new “Renegade Dog,” PNC’s menu has some fun local classics.
Affordable Tickets
Yinzers love their ballpark, but they don’t fill it enough. Which means that there are always tickets available, and at very decent prices (even for good seats).
A Great Sports Town
If you can come in April when the Pens are still playing, or September when the Steelers are playing, it’s one of the best sports doubleheaders.
How many games should you see?
If you’re going to come all the way to Pittsburgh for baseball, then you definitely need to get at least two games in at PNC Park. Can you do a third game? Absolutely. But depending on where you’re flying to/from, catching that Sunday afternoon game could be a challenge. But tickets here are inexpensive, and the experience is so amazing that we say that you should stay for as many games as you can fit in.
If you can find tickets in the Home Plate or Real Azul Clubs for a good price, grab ‘em and have yourself a fancy game with premium eats and all-you-can-drink beverages. If you’re bringing the kids, you can check out the all-you-can-eat area in sections 201-205. If you’re hanging with friends, then you could grab some cheap tickets and hang out at the standing room railings next to the Fat Head’s Bullpen Bar in the outfield. Or just get yourself some really affordable infield tickets and watch some baseball against one of the prettiest backdrops you’ll ever see at a ballpark.
Before the game, spend one day doing a ballpark tour, and another day at one of the bars that line North Shore Drive. One day walk the bridge to get to the ballpark, and the next day take the ferry that connects PNC Park to Station Square. Go get a sandwich in Market Square at Primanti Brothers (instead of inside the ballpark – trust us). Take a tour of Acrisure (formerly Heinz) Field. Seriously… this place has a lot of stuff to do for sports tourists. Stick around, check them out, and discover Pittsburgh – it’s probably more amazing than you’re expecting!
When should you go to PNC Park?
Have you seen where Pittsburgh is on the map? Yeah, this ain’t Miami. If you’re gonna come visit us in April, you might get rain, you might get cold, or you might get perfect blue skies and t-shirt weather. You just won’t know. But if that’s when you’re planning on coming to town, just bring the right set of clothes.
But once the calendar turns to mid-May or so, it’s time for summer baseball, and the weather here will likely be amazing.
In terms of opponents, we’re reasonably drivable from Cleveland, DC, and Baltimore, so those games will always be a little busier. And don’t forget our “friends” from Philadelphia, who love to come visit in their Cheez Whiz wagons. So those games might be a little more expensive. Yankees, Cubs, Red Sox, Dodgers… they all travel really well, so you’ll see them filling the stands around here too.
But in general, getting tickets to PNC Park is rarely difficult. It’s a 38,000 person capacity ballpark, and our average attendance is 20,000. Fridays get up to 28,000, Saturdays 30,000, and Sundays 23,000, so trust us – there’s always enough extra tickets to go around. If you have your heart set on specific seats for a weekend series against one of those higher profile opponents, then maybe you’ll want to buy a little earlier. Otherwise, you don’t have to worry about finding tickets at PNC Park.
Where PNC Park is located
PNC is on the North Shore of Pittsburgh, across the Allegheny River from downtown Pittsburgh, and you can easily walk to it from many downtown hotels. It’s also just down the road from Acrisure Stadium, home of the Pittsburgh Steelers. It’s about a 30-minute drive from the airport, and believe it or not, there’s a public bus option if you’re looking to save some money and can spare an extra 30 minutes.
Around PNC Park is a collection of bars and restaurants, especially down North Shore Drive, which leads to Acrisure and the nearby Rivers Casino. No, it’s not Wrigleyville or the Battery in Atlanta, but there’s plenty there to keep you busy on gameday, and it’s become a really fun place to hang out.
Pittsburgh isn’t a huge place, and with a free downtown light rail system, it’s easy to navigate and quick to get around. No car necessary – rideshares, subways, and feet are all you should need.
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