SportsQuest
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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 strongest case for staying downtown and walking to the game in the whole AFC North. Acrisure sits right across the Allegheny River from downtown. The light rail, called the T, runs free between Downtown and the North Shore under a sponsor-funded Free Fare Zone, and four road bridges make walking easy too. Downtown also has more hotels, a real bar scene, and the airport bus, all things the North Shore does not have once the game ends.
  • North Shore. 8 min by walk. There is a small hotel cluster right by the stadium. Hyatt Place Pittsburgh North Shore sits 0.4 miles away and Residence Inn North Shore is 0.5 miles away, plus the strip of Burgatory, Jerome Bettis' Grille 36, and Shorty's Pins x Pints between Acrisure and PNC Park. It's good if you want to roll out of bed into the tailgate, but weaker for evenings since the area clears out after games.
  • Station Square. Gateway Clipper river shuttle, $8 each way. This one is only worth it for the fun of arriving by boat. The Gateway Clipper shuttle runs from Station Square to Acrisure for $8 per person each way, boarding two hours before kickoff and running back from the third quarter until an hour after the game ends. Otherwise, it is the least convenient way to get to the stadium 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 area, not a parking lot. Burgatory (0.3 mi), Jerome Bettis' Grille 36 (0.3 mi), Shorty's Pins x Pints, and the Rivers Casino sit in one walkable strip between the two stadiums. This is why Pittsburgh doesn't force you into the usual trade-off of staying in the city and commuting to the game.

Getting in from the airport

From a specialist guide
From PIT, Pittsburgh International Airport, a rideshare or taxi to downtown costs about $40 one way, according to VisitPittsburgh. You can also take the PRT 28X Airport Flyer bus for $2.75 with a ConnectCard or cash.

Getting to the stadium

Checked at the source
Take the Pittsburgh Regional Transit T, on the Red, Blue, or Silver line, to the Allegheny or North Side stations. Allegheny station is about a 5 minute walk to the stadium. North Side station is even closer, right next to the Rivers Casino side. Walk from downtown across the Allegheny bridges. Four road bridges connect downtown to the North Shore, and the Roberto Clemente and Fort Duquesne bridges are the ones people walk across. The North Shore Connector line itself runs only 1.2 miles end to end, which gives you a sense of how short the crossing is. Take the Gateway Clipper gameday shuttle. It docks on the North Shore right 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' official gameday page lists Stage AE, a music venue on the North Shore a short walk from the stadium, as the official tailgate zone, with live radio broadcasts, cornhole, ladder ball, a QB Challenge, and the game shown on big screens. Admission there is free. Separately, the Alco surface lots allow tailgating among the cars as long as it stays moderate and responsible, and 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, at the Gate A lawn. It's free and opens 3 hours before kickoff. Art Rooney Avenue fan zone has face painting, a 40 yard dash, Steely McBeam, and free drinks for the first 300 guests 21 and up at the Bud Light Backyard. It's free.

Getting in

Checked at the source
  • Bag policy: You can bring a clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bag smaller than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches, or a small non-clear clutch-type purse no bigger than 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches. Bigger non-clear bags, purses, handbags, camera and binocular cases, backpacks, fanny packs, briefcases, luggage, and computer bags are all turned away. There's no listed exception for medical items, diapers, cameras, or breast pumps on the bag or security pages, and the venue says it is not responsible for anything left at the gates.
  • Re-entry: You can't leave and come back in. The only way back in is a medical emergency, which gets handled at the Guest Services Kiosk at Gate B.
  • Prohibited items: Strollers are banned outright, which is a real problem if you're bringing young kids. You also can't bring seat cushions, still cameras with a lens longer than 6 inches, professional cameras, video cameras, selfie sticks, laser pointers, noisemakers, outside alcohol, or balls. You can bring an umbrella in, but you can't open it anywhere, including the Ford Fan Zone.

Touring the stadium

Checked at the source
Yes, tours are available on game day. There are two paid options: the Gameday Tour, which runs 90 minutes with dynamic pricing and requires a game ticket, and the Dynasty Tour, which costs $85 for 120 minutes and runs on gameday weekend. This is unusual, since most NFL teams shut tours down completely on game days. You can take the Ultimate Tour, Stadium Blitz Tour, or Hall of Honor Museum Tour year-round on non-game days, and the Dynasty Tour also runs on gameday weekend. Book online through FareHarbor using the stadium's Book Now button, and you can get a full refund if you cancel at least 7 days before. It's not clear if these tours sell out. Prices are $30 for the Ultimate Tour (90 minutes), $10 for the Stadium Blitz Tour (30 to 45 minutes), $12 to $25 for the Hall of Honor Museum Tour (1 hour), and $85 for the Dynasty Tour (120 minutes).

After the final whistle

From a specialist guide
Leaving on foot is the whole point of staying downtown. You walk or ride the T back over the river while cars sit in traffic lining up for the I-279 ramps. The Gateway Clipper runs return trips from the third quarter until one hour after the game ends, and there's no official time listed for when the roads clear after that.

One thing to avoid

From a specialist guide
Don't book a hotel out by the airport in Moon Township or Robinson to save money. It's a long, expensive rideshare or a slow bus ride to the stadium, and you'll be stuck out there on Saturday night with nothing to do. Also keep in mind the North Shore hotels sit inside the event traffic cordon, which is great on foot but painful 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, and it has run continuously on Western Avenue for close to a century, which makes it older than the Steelers, who were also founded in 1933. It's on its third generation of owners.

    Away fans: mixed, leaning toward the neighborhood crowd.

  • 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, through taverns, distributorships, and retail beer, and he left a corporate job to open this place. That history shows in the taps: 80 rotating lines and more than 300 local beers, weighted heavily toward Pittsburgh-area craft, so it's a good way for a visitor to taste the city.

    Away fans: mixed, with more than 30 screens showing every game, so it works for neutral fans and visitors too.

  • Tequila Cowboy

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

    This is the loud, high-capacity, country-themed end of the North Shore, with a mechanical bull, karaoke, and live music. Steelers Nation Unite has used it for official pre-game parties, with former Steelers like Charlie Batch and Shaun Suisham mixing with fans.

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

What to eat

The local food this city is known for: the Primanti's sandwich and pierogies.

Inside the stadium, 2026 season

  • New for 2026: Pierogies N'at at the Pittsburgh Pierogies stand, Section 119. Source
  • Primanti Bros. also has a stand. Reported, not confirmed by the stadium. Source

Stand line-ups change every season.

Sidequests in Pittsburgh

Listed in the order they happen. Each one earns points.

  1. Outing40 points

    Kamin Science Center (Saturday only)

    You get four floors of hands on exhibits beside the stadium plus the USS Requin submarine. It's closed Tuesdays and on Sundays when the Steelers play at home, so go the day before.

    $$. The day before

  2. Tour100 points

    Acrisure Stadium Ultimate Tour

    You book this 90 minute guided walk through the stadium, including the locker room, on the stadium website. It costs $25, while a separate game day tour runs $250.

    $. The day before. Bookable

  3. Landmark65 points

    The Andy Warhol Museum

    This single artist museum on the North Shore holds the largest collection of Warhol works and archives and it's a short walk from the stadium. It's open Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closed Tuesdays.

    $$. 4 hours 30 minutes before kickoff

  4. Eat65 points

    Primanti Bros., Strip District

    This is the original Primanti Bros. spot, serving grilled meat sandwiches topped with hand cut fries, coleslaw and tomato on Italian bread. It's about two miles from the stadium.

    $. 4 hours before kickoff

  5. Drink25 points

    Jerome Bettis' Grille 36

    Former Steelers running back Jerome Bettis opened this sports bar and restaurant on the North Shore right next to the stadium. The full menu runs daily from 11 a.m. and seating is first come first served.

    $$. 2 hours 30 minutes before kickoff

  6. Ritual25 points

    Walk the Roberto Clemente Bridge

    The Sixth Street bridge between downtown and the North Shore closes to cars during home games, so you cross it on foot to get to the stadium.

    Free. 1 hour 30 minutes before kickoff

Seats and views

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

What kind of game day do you want?

Pick one and Scout shows you where to sit.

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 152Club Level205 to 240500 Level504 to 541Tap any part of the stadium to see its view.