SportsQuest
All games

Week 16, Sun, Dec 27, 1:00 PM local

Carolina Panthersat Pittsburgh Steelers

Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh. Fly into PIT.

Build the quest

Kickoff slot

Early

Lots open before breakfast.

Lots open

8:00 AM

Local time on game day.

Where to stay

In the city

Tailgate from 8:00 AM, then the game.

The matchup

Form, ESPN's model and the stat leaders
Form

The Panthers are 1-2 after 3 games, 1st in the NFC South.

They are 1-1 on the road.

The Steelers are 2-2 after 4 games, 4th in the AFC North.

They are 2-0 at home.

What we know about Acrisure Stadium

Where visiting fans stay

Checked at the source
  • Downtown Pittsburgh. 5 min. T light rail (Gateway or Wood Street to Allegheny/North Side), free within the Free Fare Zone; or walk across the Roberto Clemente or Fort Duquesne bridge. This is the best 'stay downtown, walk to the game' setup in the AFC North. Acrisure sits across the Allegheny River from downtown. The light rail, called the T, runs free between Downtown and the North Shore in a sponsor-funded Free Fare Zone. Four road bridges also make walking easy. Downtown has more hotels, a bigger bar scene, and the airport bus. The North Shore has none of that once the game ends.
  • North Shore. 8 min by walk. A small hotel cluster sits here. Hyatt Place Pittsburgh North Shore is 0.4 miles from the stadium. Residence Inn North Shore is 0.5 miles away. Burgatory, Jerome Bettis' Grille 36, and Shorty's Pins x Pints line the strip between Acrisure and PNC Park. Good if you want to roll out of bed into the tailgate. Weaker for evenings, since the area empties after games.
  • Station Square. Gateway Clipper river shuttle, $8 each way. Worth it only for the novelty of arriving by boat. The Gateway Clipper shuttle runs from Station Square to Acrisure for $8 per person each way. It boards two hours before kickoff and returns from the third quarter until an hour after the game. Otherwise it's the least convenient of the three options.

Around the stadium

From a specialist guide
The North Shore entertainment strip, between Acrisure Stadium and PNC Park, is a real walk-up cluster, not a parking lot. Burgatory (0.3 mi), Jerome Bettis' Grille 36 (0.3 mi), Shorty's Pins x Pints, and Rivers Casino sit in a continuous walkable strip between the two stadiums. This is why Pittsburgh skips the usual 'stay in the city and commute' tradeoff.

Getting in from the airport

From a specialist guide
PIT Pittsburgh International Airport. Rideshare or taxi to downtown costs about $40 one way. Or take the PRT 28X Airport Flyer bus for $2.75 with a ConnectCard or cash.

Getting to the stadium

Checked at the source
Pittsburgh Regional Transit T, Red, Blue and Silver lines to Allegheny/North Side stations. Allegheny station is about a 5-minute walk to the stadium. North Side station is even closer, next to Rivers Casino. Walk from downtown across the Allegheny bridges. Four road bridges link downtown to the North Shore. The Roberto Clemente and Fort Duquesne bridges are the walking routes. The North Shore Connector line itself runs 1.2 miles end to end, which gives a sense of the crossing distance. Gateway Clipper gameday shuttle. Docks on the North Shore beside the stadium.

Tailgating

Checked at the source
Pittsburgh is one of the few NFL cities where you can walk into an organized tailgate without a car. The Steelers list Stage AE, a music venue on the North Shore, as the official tailgate zone, a short walk from the stadium. It has live radio broadcasts, cornhole, ladder ball, a QB Challenge, and the game shown on giant screens, with free admission. Separately, Alco surface lots allow moderate, responsible tailgating among the cars. The FedEx Air and Ground Zone on the Gate A lawn opens 3 hours before kickoff. Stage AE official tailgate zone. Free admission. FedEx Air and Ground Zone, Gate A lawn. Free. Opens 3 hours before kickoff. Art Rooney Avenue fan zone. Face painting, 40 Yard Dash, Steely McBeam. Bud Light Backyard gives free drinks to the first 300 guests, 21 and up. Free.

Getting in

Checked at the source
  • Bag policy: Bags must be clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC, smaller than 12 by 6 by 12 inches. Or a non-clear clutch purse, 4.5 by 6.5 inches or smaller. Bigger non-clear bags, purses, handbags, camera and binocular cases, backpacks, fanny packs, briefcases, luggage, and computer bags are turned away. No exception is listed for medical items, diapers, cameras, or breast pumps. The venue says it is not responsible for items left at the gates.
  • Re-entry: No exit and re-entry allowed. The only way back in is a medical emergency, handled at the Guest Services Kiosk at Gate B.
  • Prohibited items: Banned items: strollers, seat cushions, still cameras with a lens over 6 inches, professional cameras, video cameras, selfie sticks, laser pointers, noisemakers, outside alcohol, and balls. Umbrellas are allowed but can't be opened anywhere, including the Ford Fan Zone.

Touring the stadium

Checked at the source
Two paid tours run on gamedays. The Gameday Tour lasts 90 minutes, has dynamic pricing, and requires a game ticket. The Dynasty Tour costs $85, runs 120 minutes, and is offered on gameday weekends. Most NFL stadiums shut tours down entirely on game days; Acrisure doesn't. Ultimate Tour, Stadium Blitz Tour, and Hall of Honor Museum Tour run year-round on non-game days. The Dynasty Tour also runs on gameday weekends. Book online through FareHarbor using the stadium's Book Now button. Cancel at least 7 days ahead for a full refund. Prices: Ultimate Tour $30 (90 min), Stadium Blitz Tour $10 (30-45 min), Hall of Honor Museum Tour $12 or $25 (1 hour), Dynasty Tour $85 (120 min).

After the final whistle

From a specialist guide
Leaving on foot is the point of staying downtown. Walk or ride the T back over the river while cars line up for the I-279 ramps. Gateway Clipper return boats run from the third quarter until one hour after the game. No official post-game clearance time is published.

One thing to avoid

From a specialist guide
Don't book near the airport, in Moon Township or Robinson, to save money. It's a long, pricey rideshare or a slow bus ride from the stadium. You'll be stuck there on Saturday night. Also, North Shore hotels sit inside the event traffic cordon: easy on foot, rough if you have a car.

Bars near the stadium

Checked at the source

  • The Modern Cafe

    862 Western Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15233 (Allegheny West)

    The Modern opened in 1933, right after Prohibition ended. It has run on Western Avenue for close to a century.

    Away fans: mixed, leaning neighborhood.

  • Mike's Beer Bar

    110 Federal St, Pittsburgh, PA 15212

    Owner Mike Sukitch is the fourth generation of his family in the Pittsburgh beverage trade since Prohibition. His family ran taverns, distributorships and retail beer.

    Away fans: mixed. Over 30 screens show the full slate, so neutrals and visitors fit in.

  • Tequila Cowboy

    380 North Shore Dr, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 (at Chuck Noll Way)

    This is the loud end of the North Shore, country-themed and high-capacity. It has a mechanical bull, karaoke, and live music.

    Away fans: mixed, with a documented away-fan presence.

Sidequests in Pittsburgh

In the order they happen. Each one earns points.

  1. Outing40 points

    Kamin Science Center (Saturday only)

    Four floors of hands-on exhibits next to the stadium, plus the USS Requin sub. Closed Tuesdays and home Sundays, so hit it the day before.

    $$. The day before

  2. Tour100 points

    Acrisure Stadium Ultimate Tour

    A 90-minute walk through the stadium, locker room included. Book on the stadium site. It costs $25, or $250 for the game-day version.

    $. The day before. Bookable

  3. Landmark65 points

    The Andy Warhol Museum

    Largest Warhol collection anywhere, archives included, a short walk from the stadium. Open Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Tuesdays.

    $$. 4 hours 30 minutes before kickoff

  4. Eat65 points

    Primanti Bros., Strip District

    The original Primanti Bros. Grilled meat sandwiches topped with fries, slaw and tomato on Italian bread, about two miles from the stadium.

    $. 4 hours before kickoff

  5. Drink25 points

    Jerome Bettis' Grille 36

    Jerome Bettis' own sports bar sits on the North Shore, right next to the stadium. Full menu daily from 11 a.m., first come first served.

    $$. 2 hours 30 minutes before kickoff

  6. Ritual25 points

    Walk the Roberto Clemente Bridge

    Cars stay off the Sixth Street bridge on home game days. Fans walk it from downtown straight into the North Shore.

    Free. 1 hour 30 minutes before kickoff

Seats and views

Where each part of Acrisure Stadium sits, and what you see from it.

100 Level, end zone100 Level, corner, home side100 Level, home sideline100 Level, corner, home side100 Level, end zone100 Level, corner, visitor side100 Level, visitor sideline100 Level, corner, visitor sideClub Level, end zoneClub Level, corner, home sideClub Level, home sidelineClub Level, corner, home sideClub Level, end zoneClub Level, corner, visitor sideClub Level, visitor sidelineClub Level, corner, visitor side500 Level, end zone500 Level, corner, home side500 Level, home sideline500 Level, corner, home side500 Level, end zone500 Level, corner, visitor side500 Level, visitor sideline500 Level, corner, visitor sideHomeVisitors
100 Level101 to 152, plus field seats FC1 to FC5Club Level205 to 240, plus North Club NC-001 to NC-015500 Level504 to 541Tap any part of the stadium to see its view.