pnc park pregame tour review

Touring the Hidden Corners of PNC Park in Pittsburgh

I’m a huge baseball fan and have made a point to visit many baseball stadiums during my travels. However, despite this, I’ve never actually had a chance to tour a stadium until recently when I toured PNC Park in Pittsburgh.

Home to the Pirates since 2001, PNC Park is consistently ranked as one of the best baseball stadiums in the country. In fact, I think it’s the best stadium in the US, and I’m not even a Pirates fan. So, when I found out that they offered tours, I excitedly jumped at the chance to visit.

Private tours of PNC Park are available during the week and on select Saturdays during the baseball season, starting in mid-April and continuing until the Pirates finish their season, playoffs included. Tours leave from the stadium’s left field gate next to the Willie Stargell statue and last roughly 90 minutes.

My tour of the stadium started with a brief orientation and history of the ballpark while standing in the left field bleachers.

My guide told me about the history of the Pirates organization and a few interesting tidbits about the stadium. For example, the lights of PNC Park were designed to look like those at Forbes Field, but were almost deemed too small for Major League Baseball standards.

To combat these, lighting engineers were hired to precisely point each individual light to achieve acceptable lighting throughout the stadium.

The first official stop on the tour is Legacy Theater and Museum. Here, I was told about the many great firsts in Pirates history (like how the Pirates owner invented the World Series). There are also actual lockers from Forbes Field, Three Rivers Stadium, and PNC Park on display here.

Should you be visiting on a day that the Pirates are in town or are traveling to/from Pittsburgh, you’ll be shown a video here of the Pirates clubhouse. However, if you visit in the middle of a road trip, you’ll actually be able to go into the clubhouse.

While the video does show you a few places you can’t see on the tour, like the swimming pool, I’d recommend going on a day when you can actually walk into the clubhouse, as it’s an amazing experience.

Unfortunately, cameras aren’t allowed in the clubhouse itself, but I was blown away to be standing there. Looking around the room, you can get a close up look at the lockers of the players. The lockers are full of each player’s personal items and uniforms. If you are a baseball fan, it really is quite amazing to see inside this area.

While I was in the clubhouse, my guide explained each of the things that we saw. The wall is plastered with schedules, rules, and lineups. I also walked by the manager’s office and had a chance to peer into both the weight room and the training room. Unfortunately, this is the only part of the tour where no photos are allowed.

The next stop on the tour is the batting cages. Here, it was explained to me the routine that players go through to get warm and how they use the variety of TV monitors and equipment to study their swings.

From there, we went through the tunnels that the players would use to go from the clubhouse to the dugout. As a kid I dreamed of playing Major League Baseball, so to walk into a dugout and run up the steps and onto the field was really something of a dream come true.

While you are only allowed in the dugout and the dirt in front of it, it was fun to stand in these areas and see what the players see (though I had to imagine the thousands of cheering fans). While in this area, my guide explained various things in the dugout, as well as told me about the unique aspects of the Pirates’ grass and dirt.

The rest of the tour continued to the upper areas of the stadium, including the press box (but not the radio or TV booths, unfortunately) and the club and suite levels. All along the way, my guide was telling me a variety of interesting facts about the stadium and the team’s history. It’s amazing how much they have woven the team’s history into the stadium, and I’m sure even season ticket holders would learn something they didn’t know.

I really can’t express how much I enjoyed my tour of PNC Park. Even though I’m not a Pirates fan, I found the tour to be very interesting and it was a real treat to be able to see places like the clubhouse and the dugout. I would highly recommend a tour of PNC Park to any baseball lover, no matter which team you support.

Note: My tour of PNC Park was provided courtesy of Visit Pittsburgh. However, the opinions expressed are my own.

Want to explore more of Pittsburgh’s baseball history? Check out the Roberto Clemente Museum , the Honus Wagner Museum , the remains of Forbes Field , or visit the graves of the Baseball Hall of Famers buried in Pittsburgh .

Tours of PNC Park

See map below for other area attractions.

3 thoughts on “Touring the Hidden Corners of PNC Park in Pittsburgh”

Thanks! I’m not sure if I’ll be able to stay long enough in the morning to take the tour myself, but I may visit the grounds outside the park.

Thank you Jim for sharing your experience touring PNC Park. Reading about your trip there and getting the play-by-play from you makes me want to go check it out too. PNC Park is such a gorgeous ballpark I think everyone should see it whether you like the Pirates or not. It would be an enjoyable event and a fun time to see all the park on the tour, especially places only open to the tour. Thanks again Jim for the article it was a good read!

I definitely agree. Having been to around a dozen stadiums, including some newer than PNC Park, it’s definitely the most beautiful stadium in MLB, and a tour is a great way to learn more about how the sport operates.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Sharing is caring.

Help spread the word. You're awesome for doing it!

Price & Hours

• Facilities 5.0
• Atmosphere 4.0

Located on the southern shore of North Side district, PNC Park is the home base for Major League Baseball's Pittsburgh Pirates. Catch an afternoon game and enjoy the local craft beers, hometown hot dogs and pierogies, plus some awesome game play.

Most visitors praise the stadium for its views (and suggest visiting on a fireworks night for added fun), but many say it's the entire experience that sets this ballpark apart. "It's not just the stunning, first-class ballpark and fabulous view of the skyline that make it great. It's the total package of greatness: the pre-game street scene, entertainment, tons of bars, sidewalk cafes, beer trucks, riverfront, kayaks — and that's just outside!" said one TripAdvisor user.

Game day tickets vary in price depending on your seat. You can tour the park on weekdays from mid-April to September. Tours cost $10 for adults and $8 for kids and seniors. Check out the stadium's website for schedules and additional information.

Popular Tours

Essential Pittsburgh Experience - The One Tour to Take

(423 reviews)

from $ 75.00

HOP ON-HOP OFF TOUR PASS- All Day Sightseeing Tour Pass

(324 reviews)

from $ 39.95

Fire in the Valley- Carnegie Steel and the Town That Built America

(114 reviews)

from $ 125.00

More Best Things To Do in Pittsburgh

#1 Duquesne Incline

The Duquesne Incline is one of two uphill trolleys — and it has been carting visitors up Mount Washington since the 1870s. After falling on hard times, the Duquesne Incline was lovingly restored in 1963. But why should you visit the trolley in this area instead of the Monongahela one?

This one transports you to an ideal vantage point in Mount Washington, directly above where Pittsburgh's three rivers collide. There's a large viewing platform that extends just over the cliff and on a clear day, the view from the top makes for some excellent photographs. However, some recent visitors say you should wait and hop on the incline at night since it's less crowded and you can see the illuminated city below. Once you get to the top, aside from admiring the view, you can take some time to check out the small museum with some fun facts on Pittsburgh's history and photographs, or grab a souvenir from the gift shop. There are a few restaurants near the upper station as well, though travelers say they're pretty pricey and you're better off heading back downtown to grab a bite to eat.

Explore More of Pittsburgh

Things To Do

Best Hotels

You might also like

Philadelphia

# 1 in  Best Day Trips from NYC

# 13 in  Best Weekend Getaways in the Midwest

If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.

Recommended

The 18 Best Napa Valley Wineries to Visit in 2024

Lyn Mettler|Sharael Kolberg April 23, 2024

The 25 Best Beaches on the East Coast for 2024

Timothy J. Forster|Sharael Kolberg April 19, 2024

The 50 Best Hotels in the USA 2024

Christina Maggitas February 6, 2024

The 32 Most Famous Landmarks in the World

Gwen Pratesi|Timothy J. Forster February 1, 2024

9 Top All-Inclusive Resorts in Florida for 2024

Gwen Pratesi|Amanda Norcross January 5, 2024

24 Top All-Inclusive Resorts in the U.S. for 2024

Erin Evans January 4, 2024

26 Top Adults-Only All-Inclusive Resorts for 2024

Zach Watson December 28, 2023

Solo Vacations: The 36 Best Places to Travel Alone in 2024

Lyn Mettler|Erin Vasta December 22, 2023

26 Cheap Beach Vacations for Travelers on a Budget

Kyle McCarthy|Sharael Kolberg December 4, 2023

The 50 Most Beautiful White Sand Beaches in the World

Holly Johnson December 1, 2023

Something Different in Pittsburgh

Pnc park highlights local beauty of the steel city, but intimacy is what sets it apart.

By: Cole Shoemaker Written in 2010; ra tings  above  are up to date for 2023 , but this review below is outdated and will be updated at some point during the 2023 season; reviews and ratings are “living pages” updated yearly when necessary

Who ever thought baseball’s most beautiful park would be in Pittsburgh?

Who knew anything about Pittsburgh’s beautiful rivers or skyline? In a city known for its industrial working class grittiness, stereotypes recall a dirty image of steel, coal miners, and fat grizzled Steeler fans waving their terrible towels, but not beauty. Until now.

So yes, PNC Park showcases its city unlike any other. Yes, it’s the most beautiful park in baseball. I think if you took the average baseball fan to every major league ballpark, he/she would pick PNC as their favorite, overwhelmingly. You don’t even have to look at the ballpark websites; just look at Yelp. PNC is the favorite.

Aesthetically, no one comes close, not even AT&T in San Francisco, if you consider the exterior, interior, panoramic view, and other intangibles. We’ve heard all the press already. We’ve read ESPN call it perfect and compare it to Wright’s Falling Water. And what is most impressive is that its beauty is so locally based. In Pittsburgh of all places!

But it’s not just about the view, or even the aesthetics or the brilliant location.

In an era where owners were demanding all the quirks and gimmicks possible to supplement their massive new ballparks, the Pirates did something different.

Somewhat quietly, around the league prior to the 2000s, sentiments echoed about how these retro parks were actually ornate projects with huge footprints, nothing like the jewel box parks. In scale, these parks had high upper decks that more resembled the cookie cutters they replaced, just with a retro façade and deceptive proportions. In actual size, these parks were not intimate and were nothing like the “classic” ballparks. Until PNC Park came along.

The Pirates decided to build a park that’s actually intimate, not just one that “looks” intimate through sunken exterior landscaping.  From the beginning, Pirates owner Kevin McClatchy wanted an authentically low scale “35,000-to-37,000-seat park with natural grass and no roof, bells, or whistles.” Look at all of the kitschy elements incorporated into other ballparks of the era. PNC was visionary in its simplicity for the time.

Everything deviated from the retro formula: the intimate two-deck design, the limestone exterior, and blue seats. Little did he know that he was building something that would stand alone in praise, in what appears to be the Wrigley Field of the 21st century.

In reality, that’s what makes PNC the consensus best retro park.

While its functionality and amenities haven’t really faced too much scrutiny (a couple of bad sightlines, somewhat narrow concourses, a lack of amenities, no atmosphere, etc.) until this review, once you add the gorgeous aesthetics, it’s a slam-dunk.

Table of Contents

Location/access:.

I think we can all agree PNC has about the most ideal location in baseball. The outfield perimeter of the ballpark conforms to the Allegheny River, where the Roberto Clemente Bridge takes you right into downtown. The designers really did a good job combining downtown, the river, and the neighborhood (North Shore, where the ballpark is located), all into one. Contrarians who claim the gorgeous view led to the park being too removed from the city fail to acknowledge that this also led to a unique neighborhood feel around the park unmatched by the urban ballparks.

It’s not only brilliant from a visual perspective. Everything that is Pittsburgh is integrated into the design. Access is easy enough nowadays, especially with the attendance issues. One of the cooler options you might consider is arriving to PNC by ferryboat, which departs from the other end of downtown to the ballpark.

Local Scene:

Nestled in the North Shore neighborhood, there are a number of bars and restaurants in the area, particularly on Federal Street. However, North Shore falls well short the high standard set by others such as San Diego and Denver . Even more activity is a short walk away in downtown via the bridge.

Score: 4.5/5

Total: 9.5/10, architecture & aesthetics, exterior design:.

PNC gets high marks simply for using a novel material that is universally considered to look good. But Pittsburgh’s limestone façade is so much more than that.

Context. Context. Context. One of the themes you’ll begin to note is how well everything in PNC Park’s design mimics its local landscape, especially regarding the color scheme. Not only does the beige color mix well with its surrounding buildings on the North Shore, but it also reflects the skyscrapers across the river. The dark blue steel trusses mimic its river environment wonderfully as well.

PNC Park uses rugged materials from the area, including Kasota stone and ochre limestone. Forbes Field inspired the park’s light towers. While it mostly recalls North Shore’s 19th century buildings, there are subtle modern elements, such as the aluminum canopy by Federal Street. It’s a flavorful combination.

Besides the novelty and perfect contextual appropriateness, I guess you could argue the structure itself isn’t that outstanding or nuanced. It lacks many of the distinctive accents you might expect from something that has become an architectural monument, but it still looks like a neighborhood park. It’s a tastefully downscaled effort in comparison to the mega ballparks of the era.

The small size of the exterior façade significantly contributes to the ballpark’s main theme of providing the most intimate experience in baseball. While many newer ballparks strive for this look, PNC captures it best and takes the intimacy of the exterior to another level, one that even rival’s Fenway.

One small caveat: I don’t really like the glassed in press box at the top behind home plate. It looks like a space ship mixed in with limestone. Someone has to be picky, right!

Score: 8/10

Interior aesthetics:.

Despite being considered the most beautiful design in the country, there are still some misconceptions. The notion that the architects had it easy because of the view is categorically false. The praise is not misdirected at the view: the structure fits both conceptually and physically into its context. It’s part of the urban fabric unlike any other.

Great American Ballpark thought they would put a ballpark by the river, but it can’t hold a candle to PNC. In terms of aesthetic interior design, the Pirates really got it perfect by focusing solely on highlighting the environment. That’s surprisingly difficult to do successfully.

Both AT&T Park and Great American Ballpark don’t provide picturesque views from the lower bowl. Despite all the praise San Francisco got for its retro ballpark, its interior design doesn’t compare to what Pittsburgh did here. Only in PNC, do you have the fantastic open feel from the lower box seats as well.

One of the biggest challenges was finding a way to not only integrate the gorgeous view from the upper decks, but also to allow the environment to seep into the lower bowl as well. While it looks effortless, PNC Park’s greatest design coup occurs in the space between the right field porch and the left field bleachers.

Note how the minimized center field seating opens up the river views. On both sides of the batter’s eye, the Clemente Bridge is seamlessly integrated into the ballpark. By limiting center field seating to less than 7 rows, the entire cityscape can be viewed from the main concourse. This was particularly important in highlighting the water. Note the complete lack of seating to the left of the batter’s eye. Pittsburgh is tops in baseball in contextual integration, and while it looks easy, so many others failed.

PNC is really the first ballpark to figure out that all of the outfield seating needs to be dramatically minimized. And that’s not only the key to its intimacy, but also its trademark look. Compare the double deck left field bleachers here to Cincinnati, Minnesota, or San Diego. Compare the right field porch next to the river here to Cincinnati’s same version. Regardless of the environment, it’s just a nicer, cleaner look. It all does exactly what it’s supposed to do: let the backdrop take over.

But PNC Park doesn’t stop there. The mini green monster emphasizes the presence of the river effectively. The green batter’s eye, which usually creates a disjointed feel in the interior, feels fine with its “PIRATES” topiary. But it’s not as well done as the one at Jacobs Field , as a plastic wall in center field takes away some appeal. I even like the rotunda in left field visually. They got the outfield seating balance in perfect harmony with its surroundings.

Also, I can’t reiterate enough how PNC was really the only park during its era to make a concentrated effort not to muddle the design with distractions. Can you imagine if they had put a model Pirate ship in center field, equipped with a “home run cannon?” As ridiculous as it sounds, I can guarantee you someone pitched that idea, because that’s really what the sentiment of the time demanded. Perhaps a model riverboat somewhere in the outfield, like in Cincinnati. Please, something to artificially acknowledge the region!

Well someone said no. And looking at all the other ballparks built during this time period, everyone else would have done it. Thank goodness, PNC is confident in its clean, uncluttered outfield design.

The two-deck grandstand design is one of a kind and a welcome deviation from the fragmented cross sections we see today. The novelty of the two-deck design, along with the structural challenges of integrating suites and clubs into it, should not be underestimated. This was a new, bold method of decking organization. We have a nice continuous upper deck that not only oozes intimacy but also is visually refreshing.

But my favorite part about the interior design is how the color scheme is so well connected to its environment. Note the use of the light ochre colors in and outside the ballpark, which meld well with the yellow bridge. Don’t forget that yellow matches the Pirates’ primary color. The blue steelwork and similarly hued seats match the concept of the water. Even the subtle use of greens with the batter’s eye feels right, because it mimics the hills beyond left field and the greenery of the Allegheny.

If I had to nitpick, perhaps I’d say the scene and surroundings beyond left field looks a bit cluttered. Note how the scoreboard is off-centered, positioned a little bit to the right of the outfield grandstand below. The combination of the scoreboard, the circular rotunda, the open space above the bullpens, and the left field grandstand is a bit spatially awkward, but that’s a minor quibble.

The press has analyzed it like crazy, and I pretty much agree. It’s nearly perfect. Sure, PNC has the benefit of having the most beautiful backdrop, but it capitalizes on that backdrop as well as it possibly could. So it’s unfair to fault the park for that. Even look at AT&T Park, which is almost perfect, but it doesn’t capture its setting quite like PNC.

Sure it doesn’t have to try too hard, but it gets everything right. What more can you ask for?

Score: 14.5/15

Panoramic view/backdrop:.

Is Pittsburgh’s view too perfect? I mean getting downtown, the river view, and the unappreciated pastoral grasslands of Pennsylvania all in one? In perfect proportion? And vicinity? From all areas of the park? You couldn’t come up with a better backdrop it you tried.

So which one’s better, AT&T or PNC? Just considering the view itself, you can’t beat San Francisco. But PNC probably does more with its location, as AT&T fails to capture the city or the bay bridge. PNC wins overall in design because the skyline and river are visable from the lower level seating, unlike others. Both are just about perfect though.

Concourses:

The concourse is nicely designed in the same limestone/blue steel motif seen around the ballpark. You can’t beat the views, either.

Total: 30.5/33

Functionality & essentials, sightlines:.

Everyone raves about how the double deck design is great for PNC’s sightlines, but few realize there are flaws in the design. Its great by default, but it could have been so much better.

By minimizing the vertical height of the ballpark, they were forced to dramatically increase the horizontal footprint of the grandstand to fit 38,000 seats into the ballpark. This results in a lower bowl that is very deep with a rather gentle slope, affecting sightlines. Also, the upper bowl is not cantilevered enough to compensate for the large lower bowl, meaning that seats are pretty far back from the field, despite being low.

From the view of the top row of the upper deck, you are indeed comparatively closer, but you are farther back than you would expect. Because the second deck is club and upper deck seats smushed together in one large grandstand, you could actually make the argument that you’re farther back here in the last row of upper deck than at some other ballparks. With the lack of pitch, you don’t feel on top of the action, like in San Diego , even though you do feel really close.

Sitting in the upper deck at PNC is more comparable to sitting in the upper deck of Comerica than a higher mezzanine level, like say, Busch Stadium . All of this could have been avoided with a better design, albeit at a higher cost. We forget that the Pirates did go cheap with PNC.

Most of the seats are angled well down the lines throughout the upper and lower deck. However, some of the seats down the right field line, namely sections 105-101/305-303, are not angled enough and can sport some terrible sightlines in some areas.

Despite the unpublicized negatives, there’s no getting around that this is an intimate two deck design, and you are going to feel lower (literally meaning closer I guess) to the action here than anywhere else.

We rave about how well connected the fans are to their surroundings, but they are also ridiculously connected to the action. Note the picture of the left field wall at the end of the interior design section, where the average fan can stand up and have his or her waist at the top of the wall. Ridiculous.

Score: 8.5/10

Seat comfort:.

It appears the designers minimized the seat width in order to fit 38,000 in such a small area. Many field level seats seem slightly under par. Like other parks, it’s not noticeable enough to hamper the experience significantly. Seats in the upper deck lack cup holders, however.

A relatively significant portion of PNC Park seats are padded. All dugout boxes and PBC club seats are comfortably padded, with especially comfortable (newly improved) theatre style seats behind home plate.

Despite being open to the field on the main level, there are some substantial deficiencies in the concourses.

Despite being nicely designed in the same limestone/blue steel motif seen around the ballpark, the concourses are simply too narrow in most areas, especially considering the number of patrons sitting in the lower bowl. PNC has the largest lower bowl of the new parks coupled with one of the more narrow concourses. To be fair, crowding issues are uncommon considering the attendance. There are consequences of the small footprint and low cost of construction. But it is one of the better looking concourses in baseball and perhaps the least “mall like.”

Another small issue is the discontinuity in the 360-degree system on the main level, as the outfield concourse is lower than the one around the infield. This is a major no-no for new ballparks, but something that was understandable in this design. It’s not nearly as confusing as the system in San Diego though. You’ll encounter a small staircase on the right field side and the rotunda on the left field side

Unlike other popular retro jewels, there don’t seem to be many standing room areas in the outfield, with the concourse being closed in left field. For overflow crowds, the rotunda provides a nice perch. The upper deck/club level concourses are closed and on the small size as well.  Despite the drawbacks, the concourse’s views and aesthetic merits really help.

Score: 4.5/7

Scoreboard system:.

PNC Park has a nice enough scoreboard with its simple, uncluttered look, but it won’t make headlines because of its size. Despite upgrading to a large video board system, it’s not too informative, only showing one lineup at a time. But the replays are of high quality.   The manual out of town scoreboard is worth noting. Not only does it show the inning and the score, but it also shows a diamond for the runners on base.

Score: 1.5/3

Total: 17.5/25, amenities & features, quality and selection of concessions:.

Like its Pennsylvania neighbor to the east, Pittsburgh’s gem offers some of the best high quality regional concessions in baseball, while not offering the variety seen in other ballparks. The food selection seems to have been downsized a bit in recent years, but it appears they are gearing it back up a notch with the recent team success.

Other than the usual suspects, a decent selection of BBQ (provided by Manny’s) and sandwiches is available. Other than gyros, a number of hoagies are offered, including beef, turkey, and fish. You’ll note that there is an unusual amount of specialty hamburgers, including the Bucco, Phili, Swiss, and Bacon Burger. Just4U is the healthy stand of note, serving wraps, salads, smoothies, and a number of gluten free items. Mexican options are non-existent.

The mediocre selection here is a problem, but I’ve read that they scale back even further when the crowds are small. Remember everything you read on the website menu (or at the particular game I attended) isn’t always offered.

It goes to show you really can’t compartmentalize small crowds as a singular defect, as parts of the entire ballpark can shut down. In 2013, things are beginning to change though.

They recently added Nakama, an asian concept serving a nice array of sushi and other Asian foods. Sashimi and Nigiri, complemented with the usual array of sushi rolls and the like, are now served. Your choice of steak, chicken, and shrimp Hibachi or Udon Noodles are also provided. Egg Rolls and other sides round out the selection.

While the variety has traditionally been sub par, the unique regional specialties really stand out. First be sure to check out “Pop Plaza,” named after Stargell. Pop-A-Dukes (Gyros, salads). Primanti Brother Sandwiches, and Quaker Steak and Lube headline the “Smorgasburgh” (taste of the city). Primanti Brother’s cheesesteak is one of the best speciality foods in baseball, while Quaker Steak and Lube offers some over the top chicken wing options. Rita’s Italian ice, soups, and green tea are allegedly available as well. The beer selection is fairly wide as well, led by the Iron City Beer.

Score: 3.5/5

Regional/signature concession(s):.

One of the more famous “signature foods” in baseball is the Primanti Brother’s cheese steak, a steel city innovation. It might be the most filling thing I have ever eaten at a ballpark. Roast beef, Cole slaw, cheese, and French fries fill out this hardy offering on a French roll.

Public Restaurants/Bars/Sitting Areas:

PNC Park’s Hall of Fame restaurant provides an upscale experience for all ticket holders. Originally designed as a members only club, its décor and atmosphere evokes a premium restaurant, while housing plagues of Pirate greats. While outdoor seating would have been nice, it displays a view of the field.

In the right field corner, the Pirates recently opened the Bowtie Bar, a U shaped bar and lounge area serving food and a wide array of beverages in a formerly unoccupied area. But because of the small footprint, the Pirates don’t really provide many other sit down areas throughout the ballpark.

Premium Seating/Clubs:

Despite being perhaps the most egalitarian ballpark in the majors, how does PNC still score well in this category? Not innovation. Not quantity. But quality and attention to detail.

Despite having a closed concourse, PNC Park’s mezzanine club level is one of the best in baseball, not only for its luxury and amenities, but also its historical memorabilia and detailed accents. I would say the club seats here are some of the best seats in baseball, not only because of the aforementioned features, but also the view.

The Pittsburgh Baseball Club features an enclosed concourse and three main lounges with an upscale atmosphere. All have an outstanding collection of historical pictures or other displays. They integrate historical references in every nook and cranny of the club, including the walls of the concourse, the concessions, and even the condiment stands. Retro jerseys, gloves, hats, bats, balls, and whatever you can think of are all presented in a tasteful manner. Even the Asian Wok stand has memorabilia from Japanese baseball history. A lounge of note is Club 3000, an obvious reference to Clemente, which honors all players who have reached 3000 hits.

The various authentic decors don’t invoke the generic “country club” atmosphere found in other ballpark club levels, while still being among the most luxurious. Amenities include billiards and arcade games, also a rarity. Another one of my favorite features is the various “patios” that open up the concourse to the playing field and provide outside seating. This does an excellent job in mitigating the effects of the closed concourse.

Decked out with a fireplace and multiple leather couches, the ultra premium Lexus Club behind home plate is just as nice as some of the newer ones today. I was actually able to sneak into it, but I’ll get to that later! The Pirates recently built a hybrid club/suite experience on the suite level, known as Club Cambria.

General or Artistic References to Baseball or Team History/Museums:

Despite not having a museum or park area to honor team history, the Pirates do a great job of recognizing the past.

While it should have been more expansive, the Hall of Fame restaurant features plaques of Pirate greats. The most impressive area is the Highmark Legacy Square, which is an interactive exhibit that honors the history of the Negro Leagues and various greats from the Grays and the Crawfords. As many have said, no city is more synonymous with black baseball than Pittsburgh. Not only does the square feature numerous bronze statues, but there are also interactive video systems informing fans on each player’s background and stats. There’s even a movie theatre.

On the concourses, there are various subtle accents, such as the occasional decade banners. The statues in and outside of PNC are some of the more impressive in baseball. Willie Stargell, Honus Wagner (main entrance), and Roberto Clemente (in front of the bridge) adorn the exterior. A display of Ralph Kiner’s hands with a bat is in left field and they are planning on adding one of Maz.  Despite all this, it’s really the aforementioned memorabilia on the club levels that take the cake, even if they aren’t accessible to most. And party suites are named in honor of World Series teams.

(needs 2018 edit)

Entertainment/Kids Activities/Other Amenities:

The Pirates are below the curve when it comes to providing kids and other fans with entertainment activities, which is particularly unfortunate considering the Pirates are playing.

The “Kids Play Land” along the boardwalk is a tiny playground that looks like it’s designed for kids under 5. It also features a model field. They sometimes have activities and entertainment outside the ballpark, but I couldn’t find it. No speed pitch, nothing of that nature inside the ballpark. You’re here to watch the game (and the gorgeous views, they might rationalize).   Again, there are some arcade games on the club level.

Total: 18.5/25

Atmosphere, vibe, & policies, atmosphere/fan support:.

Pittsburgh actually has some good fans, but you would never know it. If you’re team was this bad for this long, and, I’m talking the worst stretch of losing seasons in the history of sports, would your team still have 20,000 loyalists per night like Pittsburgh? Don’t be so sure.

You could probably point to the ballpark as a reason they should be doing better. Three games over .500 after the 2011 all-star break, Pittsburgh experienced a sharp, sudden up turn in attendance, demonstrating the city is indeed in tune to Pirates baseball.

The atmosphere is much better than expected, as fans frequently joined in on chants and claps. We really have to see a good team on the field to effectively measure this. But there’s no getting around it: the lack of fans in the stands is a significant flaw in the ballpark. Again, don’t take the low score too personally. It’s inevitable that PNC is among the deadest ballparks in the MLB, proving that this is really an indirect measure of team quality, not a knock on the fans.

As they look toward a division crown in 2013, we’ll see if the attendance consistently picks up throughout the decade.

Ballpark Policies/Customer Service:

The ushers at PNC really do a great job in perfecting an already perfect experience. The people involved do matter. When I was walking around on the rotunda, ushers even offered to take my picture just because they saw a camera in my hand. But most importantly, they’re lax about checking tickets.

I could easily move down to the second row behind the Lexus Club behind home plate. Unlike some ballparks, there is an entrance to the home plate club from the main seating area. I just waited for the guard to take a picture of someone and hopped right into the club area (for the purposes of taking photographs myself).  I actually felt bad, but it’s pretty easy to sneak around.

For not only being the most aesthetically pleasing ballpark in baseball inside and out but for reflecting the city unlike any other +3 For the intimate two deck design +2 For the Alleghany River and the Riverwalk +1 For the Negro League Legacy Square display +1 For the unique and understated limestone exterior +1 For the fantastic club level, possibly the most detailed in baseball +1

Total: 14.5

Coming soon.

FINAL SCORE: 93

Ranking: #2/30, tl;dr  here’s the long-form piece in a nutshell:.

Ballpark aficionados and traveling baseball fans seemed to have settled on a consensus top two among the “modern-day” post-1990 venues: Oracle Park in San Francisco and PNC Park.  The appeal is obvious: stunning views.

Indeed, I’ve grown to see PNC Park as the most beautiful ballpark in baseball inside and out, and it isn’t particularly close.  Instead of views of just water, a bridge, or a skyline, you get all three.  Instead of views only from the upper levels, PNC’s landmarks seem omnipresent throughout the lower bowl.

Moving outside, PNC utilizes a refreshing assemblage of limestone and blue steel in keeping with the riverfront context, not the played out red brick.  And the concourses match too.  And that approach from the Clemente Bridge.  It’s all just perfect .

Beauty aside, PNC’s intimacy also sets it apart.  In an era of ballparks with sprawling towers of luxury suites and 3+ levels, PNC famously utilizes a “double deck” design that just feels cozier (although, it’s virtues for horizontal field proximity are misunderstood, which I discuss).

PNC Park doesn’t have any major flaws, but it’s true that it doesn’t have the amenities of most of its contemporaries.  There are also quite a few little things (listed below) that could have been done better or don’t compare well to the other top-tier parks.  The cumulative effect puts it a notch below Petco Park in competing for the #1 spot.  Hey, if you’re self-advertising as “The Best Ballpark in America,” nitpicks are fair game!

Defining Features

Biggest hit, biggest miss, other misses, bet you didn't know, future outlook.

• View Profile
• Edit Profile

• in Articles & Posts
• in Slideshows
• in Locations
• Community Profiles
• Environment
• Infrastructure
• Social Justice
• All Food + Drink
• All Arts + Entertainment
• Literary Arts
• Visual Arts
• Lynn Cullen Live Podcast
• Pillow Talk with Jessie Sage
• Affordable-ish Housing
• Free Will Astrology
• City Paper Photos
• This Week's Top Events
• Submit an Event Listing
• Best of PGH 2023
• Best of PGH Party
• Shop Local Gift Guide
• People of the Year
• Election Guide
• Winter Guide
• Spring Guide
• Summer Guide
• Issue Archives
• Become a Member
• Get our Newsletter
• Newsletters
• City Pigeon
•  Login
• Arts+Entertainment

How to enjoy Pittsburgh Pirates games even if you don't care about baseball

By Owen Gabbey

Best Reason to Go

Best pre-game destination, best underrated ballpark feature, best player's social media account, best fan social media account, best player, best pirates journalists, best mid-inning entertainment, best spot for instagrams, what to watch out for at the game, best spot for souvenirs, best place to park.

Latest in Sports

The Thunderbirds are ready for their ninth season of pro ultimate frisbee

By Colin Williams

Power-ranking the Pirates' 2024 walkup music

Pittsburgh is becoming a soccer mecca — even for the away team

A locker room of her own: as MLB evolves, PNC Park gets updates

Current Issue

Digital Edition

• April 24-30, 2024

Previous Issues

Protesters and police clash on Pitt’s campus

By Mars Johnson

Pittsburgh Oldies All Stars isn't a tribute show, it's a DeLorean ride

By Rachel Wilkinson

The cassette-tape comeback has reached Pittsburgh's record stores

By Ethan Beck

Things To Do This Week

Pittsburgh’s top events: April 25-May 1

• About Pittsburgh City Paper
• Submit/Promote an Event
• Job Listings
• Get a Subscription
• Shop CP Store
• Sponsored Content
• Freelance Pitch Guidelines

• Things to Do
• Restaurants
• Holiday Rentals
• Travel Stories
• Add a Place
• Travel Forum
• Travellers' Choice
• Help Centre

Pre-Game Tour - PNC Park

• United States    
• Pennsylvania (PA)    
• Pittsburgh    
• Pittsburgh - Things to Do    

Pre-Game Tour

Informative on little know Pittsburgh Pirates details! Was able to view behind the scenes locations. Enjoyed watching batting practice for both teams. Well worth doing the tour!

Full disclosure, I haven't cared about baseball since 1992. Totally full disclosure, I think PNC Bank is the worst financial institution in town. However, I visit the park from time to time when someone invites me. As a fan of modern architectural design, I appreciate the high level of thought, design and investment made here in our city, Whether you love baseball, the smell of peanuts (and crackjacks lol), or just want to wander around the park, you will enjoy the timeless look and feel of PNC Park.

We were in Pittsburgh and really wanted to see a game. As luck would have it, the Pirates we’re away for our entire stay in Pisburgh. While searching for things to do, we saw a tour of PNC Park was offered. We decided we at least would get a chance to see the park. Well, this was an absolutely amazing tour and for $8 each. You get to go on the field, press box, clubhouse, see memorabilia, learn interesting facts and get some good laughs. The tour is offered by the Pirates organization, lasts about an hour and a half. Check for times. This tour is Highly Recommended whether you are a baseball fan or not. One of the BEST TOURS I have ever taken anywhere! Don’t miss it!

We were there for a ballgame supporting the opposing team. With the exception of one individual we met on the way out, every single person was beyond kind and chatted to us about the teams. Food was good (they have a burger place there). We plan to come back!

Sat behind the visitors dugout ( Cubs) for the same price of bleachers seats in Wrigley! Nice group of Pittsburgh fans- Great Stadium and area bars.

For a team with a storied history, I am surprised by the weak fan support given to this club. They had to offer a seat and merchant redemption credit to sell many not so attractive seats. It is a beautiful park to watch a game. Many arrive by walking across the historic Roberto Clemente bridge. Food vendors charge a premium price for ballpark menu purchases. Fireworks shot after each home team homer. Any age can enjoy this park. Would definitely recommend !!

Good Food Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh’s Daily Food News Site.

Where To Eat Before (and After) a Pirates Game

April 15, 2017 by Madeline Quigley 1 Comment

Baseball season has officially started in Pittsburgh, and another exciting summer at the ballpark has begun!

One of the best parts of PNC Park – other than the stunning view of the city – is its prime location on Pittsburgh’s North Shore.  The stadium is surrounded by fantastic restaurants that turn an afternoon at the ballpark into an adventure in Downtown Pittsburgh. Because the Roberto Clemente Bridge is closed for pedestrian traffic before the game, it’s very easy to explore Downtown, and then walk across the bridge to catch the start of the game.

On the other side of the stadium, some favorite North Side spots are also within walking distance of PNC Park.

So if you’re heading to a Pirates game over the next few months, check out some of these awesome restaurants to get snacks and drinks before the game.

Let’s go Bucs!

5 to 10 Minute Walk

Time to walk:  1 minute What to expect:  Located across the street from the stadium, Mullens is a typical sport’s bar serving pub fare.  On game days they offer $3 I.C. Light beers, and $4 Bud Light 16 oz. cans. The atmosphere is lively before, during, and after the game.

Mullens   (200 Federal Street)

Southern Tier Brewing Company 

Time to walk:  4 minutes What to expect:  Pregame any Pirate’s game at Southern Tier’s new satellite location on the North Shore. This new brewpub has a large menu of sandwiches, burgers, appetizers, and plenty of Souther Tier brews. The space is very large, and is a favorite place to socialize before the game

Southern Tier Brewing Company   (316 N. Shore Drive)

Social House 7

Time to walk:  10 minutes What to expect:  Social House 7 is Japanese izakaya-style social house, with a large space and beautiful decor. The menu spans several types of Asian cuisine, with different rice and noodle bowls, sandwiches, sushi, sashimi, and even sushi burritos (yes, sushi burritos).

Social House 7   (123 7th Street)

Meat and Potatoes

Time to walk:  10 minutes What to expect:  Pittsburgh’s favorite chic gastropub is known for having one of the best brunches in the city.  Especially for out of town guest, this is a great spot for a elegant and tasty dining experience. Enjoy specials like Chicken & Waffles, Shrimp & Grits, and their famous Pub Burger.

Meat and Potatoes   (649 Penn Avenue)

Pork & Beans 

Time to walk:  10 minutes What to expect:  Since opening last year, Pork & Beans has become one of the best spots in town for Texas-style smoked meats, BBQ, and stiff drinks. You’ll find  pay-by-the-pound meats, like brisket and ribs, and 36 taps of beer and wine on draft, plus a very generous selection of whiskey.

Pork & Beans   (136 6th Street)

10 to 20 Minute Walk (or a really short Uber)

Time to walk:  12 minutes What to expect:  This new Market Square restaurant has 90 different beers on draft. The restaurant prides itself on “American classics with a modern twist,” like Sriracha burgers, a duck reuben, and shrimp tacos with Asian slaw. Happy Hour is from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and includes $4 snacks and $4 beers.

City Works   (2 PPG Place)

Sharp Edge Bistro

Time to walk:  13 minutes What to expect:  The Sharp Edge has several locations around the city, with the Downtown location being their newest. Just like the others, the Sharp Edge offers a wide selections of beers – 35 taps, 200+ bottles – and elevated pub food.  Be sure to try their mussels and uniquely blended burgers (ie: ground bacon and ground pork), which the restaurant is known for.  Happy Hour is from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., and includes 1/2 off Belgian and craft drafts and 60¢ buffalo bites.

Sharp Edge Bistro   (922 Penn Avenue)

Bakersfield

Time to walk:  14 minutes What to expect:  Bakersfield is known for tacos, tequila, and whiskey. The space is large with a saloon vibe, and serves Mexican street food. Enjoy dishes like short rib tostadas, and pork belly tacos.  Bakersfield also offers $3 shots, and $3 PBRs all day, every day.

Bakersfield   (940 Penn Avenue)

Emporio at Sienna Mercato

Time to walk:  15 minutes What to expect:  Located on the first floor of Sienna Mercato, Emporio serves gourmet meatballs (and vegetarian options) in interesting arrangements, like panini, sliders, or poutine, with 10 different types of sauces. Happy Hour is Monday through Friday, 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and features 50¢ Buffalo Chicken Balls and $4 Poutine, as well as drink specials.

Emporio at Sienna Mercato   (942 Penn Avenue)

Allegheny City Brewing

Time to walk:  15 minutes What to expect:  A quaint and cozy brewery that is only a 15-minute walk from the stadium. ACB brews several types of rotating craft beers, with interesting flavors like Grapefruit Imperial IPA and Graham Cracker Porter.  They frequently have a different food truck outside of the brewery. Up-to-date information on their draft list, and food truck schedule can be found on their Facebook page .

Allegheny City Brewing   (507 Foreland Street)

Condado Tacos

Time to walk:  16 minutes What to expect:  This new taco bar is a great addition to the Downtown restaurant scene!  Condado has a made to order taco menu with six types of tortillas, and 10 types of protein. They also have a menu of guacamole and queso. Happy Hour is 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and features $1 off beers and tacos, and half off margaritas.

Condado Tacos   (971 Liberty Avenue)

Bill’s Bar & Burger

Time to walk:  17 minutes What to expect:  Bill’s Bar and Burger is a popular restaurant with locations in Pittsburgh, New York City, and Atlantic City. The restaurant is known for its huge burger menu, with unique items like the Grilled Shrimp Burger, the Fat Cat burger (with an English muffin), and the Kimchi Bomb Burger. Additionally, Bill’s makes beautiful milkshake creations like the Campfire, with a toasted marshmallow, and the Chocolate Peanut Butter Bomb.

Bill’s Bar and Burger   (1001 Liberty Avenue)

El Burro Comedor

Time to walk:  17 minutes (through park) What to expect:  Hearty burritos, tacos, and more, with tons of vegan and vegetarian options. Great place for a quick, casual meal.  The portions are huge and will fill you up for the rest of the day!

El Burro Comedor   (1108 Federal Street)

Legends of the North Shore

Time to walk:  17 minutes (through park) What to expect:  Legends of the North Shore is aptly named – this restaurant is a Pittsburgh legend. If you have never been, before or after a Pirates game is the perfect time to check it out. Legends serves family-made Italian food. Since the restaurant opened in 2002, it has consistently been considered one the the most beloved restaurants in the city.

Legends of the North Shore   (500 East North Avenue)

Bier’s Pub

Time to walk:  18 minutes What to expect:  Casual burger joint on the North Side that also boasts a large collection of their own War Streets Brewery brews. The restaurant has daily drink specials, whiskeys, wines, cocktails and craft beers.

Bier’s Pub   (900 Western Avenue)

The Commoner

Time to walk:  19 minutes What to expect:  The Commoner is the “it” spot downtown for after-work drinks and snacks. Located inside of the Hotel Monaco, everything from the menu, to the decor, is extremely trendy.  Enjoy a menu of flatbreads, sandwiches, burgers and more all day long – the restaurant opens for breakfast, and stays open until 11:00 p.m. or later.

The Commoner   (458 Strawberry Way)

Biergarten at the Hotel Monaco

Time to walk:  19 minutes What to expect:  Located just above the Commoner is the rooftop Biergarten at the Hotel Monaco.  Enjoy drinks and outdoor games (Jenga, cornhole, garden chess) with a view of the city before heading over to the game. The Biergarten focuses on European beer, as well as German-influenced bar bites.

Biergarten at the Hotel Monaco   (458 Strawberry Way)

For a list of bars and restaurants inside of the stadium, check out this post by Penn Live .

April 22, 2017 at 4:28 pm

Probably one of the best places to eat before a game is the Clark Bar & Grill, 503 Martinsdale Street in the old Clark Bar candy factory. Some of the best food at prices better than the surrounding eateries. The service is also good. It is only a 5 Kevin n walk to the home plate entrance at PNC Park.

Even on non game days you can park in the lot outside for free and go in.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Sign me up for the newsletter!

Pittsburgh’s Daily Food News Website

• New Openings

Advertising

Interested in advertising on Good Food Pittsburgh?

Email Newsletter

Sign up to receive email updates and news from GoodFoodPittsburgh.

Discover the Burgh

PNC Park Concerts – Is The Venue Worth It for a Show?

Published by Jeremy . Last Updated on October 14, 2022.

Disclaimer : Our site uses demographic data, email opt-ins, display advertising, and affiliate links. Please check out our Terms and Conditions . Pricing, operating hours, or menus may have changed since our initial visit and may not be reflected in subsequent updates. Please confirm these directly with any business or attraction prior to visiting.

We always have a bit of apprehension when it comes to stadium concerts in Pittsburgh , and the Hella Mega Tour featuring Weezer, Fall Out Boy, and Green Day at PNC Park in 2021 was no different.

The reason for this is not specific to PNC Park outright (a stadium we absolutely love particularly for its views of the city), but rather that most sports stadiums are simply not the best for concerts from a viewing perspective. The stages are generally set up in the outfield and are rather far away from the bulk of the seats which inherently makes for less-than-stellar views outside of the pit.

As it turns out, we ended up really liking our experience at PNC Park and would gladly return for a future show as the vibe, sound, and views of the city more than made up for the views of the stage outright.

So in this one, we wanted to share a few things to keep in mind before buying tickets to PNC Park concerts!

Where Are The Best Seats for PNC Park Concerts?

When it comes to picking a seat for a concert at PNC Park, we have good news and bad news.

The bad news is that the stage is generally set up in the outfield, which means if you are not on the floor and in the stadium seats, odds are good you'll be so far away that you have to look at the screens to see the bands in any detail. This is, of course, a drawback to stadium shows virtually everywhere- not just at PNC Park. We mentioned this at the start of the article but it is always a good reminder to temper expectations when it comes to views- only those on the floor will have what we think of as close views and those will likely come at a hefty premium.

The good news is that the sound at PNC Park carries quite nicely, so as long as the bands have everything tuned appropriately, every seat in the house should have good sound at least. During our show, we were quite impressed with this and think the sound had virtually no faults that could be attributed to the stadium at least (now if a certain crew isn't as good, well, that could be different- we've heard about other shows here that were less than impressive).

From there, we probably would avoid recommending any sections of the seats that are on the fringes of the stadium as the viewing angle for the stage can get awkward. Sections ending in 01 to 07 and 28 to 30+ would be of special concern to us but how much obstruction there is could vary based on the stage design itself. We personally sat in 309, Row H, Seats 5-6, and were in the row right above the walkway which allowed for some pretty exceptional views, unobstructed, while still being in the nosebleeds in a row of just six seats wide. Gems like these are abundant at PNC Park and worth seeking out.

Parking and Other Amenities at PNC Park

When it comes to concerts at PNC Park, you have a few things to keep in mind beyond just seating. First off is that, unlike baseball games, concerts are more or less guaranteed to sell out. This means a massive influx of people parking at the garages and surface lots in the North Side and Downtown , as well coming in via the T.

As such, you can generally assume that the area in and around the park will be a madhouse- on both sides of the Allegheny River. This may be a bit easier to navigate on your way in, but after the concert is over expect gridlock traffic for quite some time on the scale of a Steelers Game . As such, unless you are staying at a hotel nearby , you may want to park further away, walk over, and give yourself a bit of breathing room for the traffic.

The garage at NOVA Place in the North Side has somewhat respectable surge pricing (they charged $15 during our 2021 show) and was a bit more accessible than other nearby parking lots, and some street parking can be found in and around the area too (we do not recommend parking in neighborhoods out of respect to residents but also the streets closest to the stadiums may have bigger fines for permit violators on event days). 

Despite a sell-out crowd, during our show (which we admit was quite long- about 5 1/2 hours in total thanks to having three bands and an opener) guests seemed to arrive at a somewhat staggered pace. This, coupled with there being many gates at the park, means we were able to blast through security in just a couple of minutes; however, it is worth noting that the main gates get bigger lines than those on the sides so you may want to enter via one of these for quicker access. It was among the easiest of all the major venues we've been to.

From there, the concession options at the park are generally chain restaurants or conventional concession fare (not much in terms of local) and domestic beer prices were over $15 after tax for a 24 ounce in 2021 with prices seeming to rise about 7.5-10% per year. As such, we personally would recommend eating and drinking elsewhere before the show for a better value. There really are many great options nearby in the North Side and downtown. 

One final thing that is always worth noting at concerts is that venues often have impressively small bag policies such it is virtually impossible to bring in any bag bigger than a wallet. PNC Park is no different. 

As of 2021, PNC Park only allows in bags 8” x 5” x 1” or smaller (unless used exclusively for medical equipment or diaper bags) and is, in our opinion, awful . Much like other stadiums, we saw many people (primarily women) having to go ditch their purses at the gate because they were unaware of the bag policy upon arrival. If you park nearby, this isn't an issue, but since many people do not, this can be a big problem. As such, always check out an arena's bag policy before you go as rules regularly change.

Overall, we went into our show at PNC Park with somewhat low expectations because stadium tours often get a lot of criticism. They are designed for games and not concerts, after all. But in the case of PNC Park, we were rather pleased with our experience overall and despite some minor concerns over actually seeing the band well, we thought the sound and overall experience more than made up for it. Just pick your seats accordingly and plan for inclement weather and you'll be good to go!

We attended the Hella Mega Tour at PNC Park in 2021 for this review. Pricing and other logistic factors may change from show to show and should be verified prior to buying tickets and heading out to the stadium.

Looking for other stadium reviews? Check out our articles for Acrisure Stadium , PPG Paints Arena , Star Lake , and Stage AE !

Find Another Event in Pittsburgh

Celebrating Christmas With a Holiday Pops Concert by the PSO

Stage AE Concerts – What is the Venue Like for a Show?

Sleight of Hand at Its Finest at 52 Up Close with Lee Terbosic

Find more to do in the north side.

Southern Tier Pittsburgh Offers an Array of Options on the North Shore

What are the VIP Suites at PNC Park Like?

EYV Review – Vegetable Forward Cuisine in the North Side

Leave a comment cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Review: Pink's Summer Carnival tour reaches new heights at PNC Park

Pink may have made one of the grandest entrances in Pittsburgh concert history Saturday night at PNC Park. And then she raised the bar — literally — with how she closed out her latest show on the Summer Carnival Tour.

The Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter bungeed down headfirst from behind a giant mouth atop the stage, flipping and kicking as the band launched into “Get the Party Started” to, well, get the party started at the packed baseball stadium.

It wouldn’t be the last time the 43-year-old (or members of her entourage) would take to the air in a crowd-pleasing two-hour performance. During “Turbulence,” Pink put on an aerial display that would not be out of place on Cirque du Soleil, as she spun and dangled upside down, intertwined with a dancer at the end. Later, four male dancers took turns defying gravity with a variety of moves on trampolines during “Trustfall.”

Wardrobe changes came quite frequently, with a sleeveless leotard the base layer for the night. Other outfits included a leathery, spiky sequined jacket, a glittery flannel, a feather boa, a leather jacket with giant lips on the shoulders, a silver, shimmering full length robe with a hood, and a pink gown lowered from the rafters.

Gifts arrived on stage from fans — thankfully, nobody threw their mother’s ashes at Pink this time . Notably, she received a few stuffed animals, a hockey sweater and a friendship bracelet … and a bag of Cheetos. Pink opened those and threw a handful to the crowd (awash in pink, by the way) and, about 10 songs later, she munched on them appreciatively.

Between songs, Pink chatted up the audience, taking some interesting detours that sounded like they surprised even herself. Those tangents included what her dad wanted to be reincarnated as, memories of her 21st birthday on tour with ‘N Sync, wedding planning, making demo tapes at the Jersey Shore as a teenager and comparisons to the “Barbie” movie.

“A lot of people have been telling me that I’m weird Barbie. Is that true? I’m OK with it. I’m just wondering,” she said with a laugh. “I always thought I’d be drunk aunt Barbie.”

She jokingly mentioned her love of the outdoors after being attacked by a pair of giant bugs on stage, with one nearly landing in her mouth.

“That thing just pummeled me in the chin. Beetle violence!” she said. “… I do go camping so shut up.”

Pink also lamented songs she wished she had written, like Europe’s “The Final Countdown,” Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide” and the “Baby Shark” theme. Another was Bob Dylan’s “Make You Feel My Love” re-popularized by Adele, which was the first of three covers in Saturday’s show.

“I don’t write love songs. I don’t know how,” she said. “I try to say nice things, but they just never find their way out of my pen. But other people do it really well.”

Another of the songs Pink said she wished she’d written was “Shadow on the Wall” by Brandi Carlile, who served as the main opening act Saturday. Carlile returned to the stage to duet on “Nothing Compares 2 U,” a tribute to Sinead O’Connor, who died on July 26.

Humor aside, Pink offered some tender moments, like before “When I Get There,” a ballad in memory of her late father.

“We’ve all lost people that we love,” she said. “I think that it’s a suitcase that you unpack for the rest of your life when you lose a parent, and it’s not something I quite understand yet.”

Pink showed she’s still a rock star and she’s got her rock moves, with bangers like “Just Like Fire” that featured perfectly timed pyro, a dive into Pat Benatar’s “Heartbreaker” and an extended band flex of their talents. In displays of her versatility, “I Am Here” felt country-tinged, and songs like “Please Don’t Leave Me” showed off her softer side.

There were plenty of dance-friendly songs, both sonically and artistically. “Raise Your Glass” included dancers hanging from bunches of bananas, “Who Knew” featured a pair of interpretive dancers, and a cover of Sade’s “No Ordinary Love” used three male dancers who moved and morphed with Pink.

Pink soared through most of her hits, like “Just Give Me a Reason,” “Try,” “F—-in’ Perfect” and “Blow Me (One Last Kiss),” as well as a number of songs from her latest album, “Trustfall,” released in February.

Closing the concert with “So What,” a harnessed Pink rocketed high around the stadium, seemingly at the park’s upper deck, going from side to side and covering most of the stadium while singing, swinging and flipping. The impressive display of acrobatics ended with a return to the stage and, fittingly, fireworks.

Pink soars at PNC Park pic.twitter.com/BBhnVdATNI — Mike Palm (@MikePalmMedia) August 6, 2023

Carlile, who has nine Grammys of her own, proved to be a strong opener for Pink, with a powerful and passionate voice.

Wearing a bright yellow suit, Carlile and her band delivered a stellar dose of rock, including absolute shredding violin (who knew that was possible?) and guitar on “Sinners, Saints and Fools.” She seemed impressed by the enormity of the crowd at PNC Park: “What a bunch of rad sweethearts.”

Other highlights included “The Story,” “Broken Horses” and a cover of Radiohead’s “Creep.”

• Pink, Guns N' Roses, Morgan Wallen among top concerts to see around Pittsburgh in August • Review: Pantera celebration tour pays fitting tribute to band's legacy, 2 late members • Pittsburgh area concert calendar

Poppy alternative rockers Grouplove, who have drawn comparisons to the Flaming Lips and the Pixies, opened the show with uplifting, sparkly songs like “Tongue Tied” and “Colours.”

Mike Palm is a TribLive digital producer who also writes music reviews and features. A Westmoreland County native, he joined the Trib in 2001, where he spent years on the sports copy desk, including serving as night sports editor. He has been with the multimedia staff since 2013. He can be reached at [email protected] .

Remove the ads from your TribLIVE reading experience but still support the journalists who create the content with TribLIVE Ad-Free.

Get Ad-Free >

Pink's setlist Get the Party Started Raise Your Glass Who Knew Just Like a Pill Try What About Us Turbulence Make You Feel My Love (Bob Dylan cover) Nothing Compares 2 U (with Brandi Carlile) (Prince cover) Just Give Me a Reason F—-in' Perfect Just Like Fire Please Don't Leave Me Kids in Love When I Get There I Am Here Irrelevant No Ordinary Love (Sade cover) Trustfall Blow Me (One Last Kiss) Never Gonna Not Dance Again Last Call So What

TribLIVE's Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need, right to your inbox.

News Spotlight

• Private U.S. spacecraft is on its side on the moon, company says TribLive
• Westmoreland County Senior Spotlight: Jeannette’s Nick Rattigan , Trib HSSN TribHSSN
• Mark Madden: Immediately grading a draft is meaningless — but the Steelers get an A. Yay! TribLive
• How to Improve Focus and Confidence Through Martial Arts Norwin Ninjas Partner News
• How to Build Confidence in Kids Through Martial Arts Training Norwin Ninjas Partner News
• How to Choose the Right Martial Arts Program for Your Child Norwin Ninjas Partner News
• Have you heard the one about Trump? Biden tries humor on the campaign trail TribLive
• Basement Waterproofing: How to Choose the Right Solution Highlander Waterproofing and Foundation Repair Partner News
• The Essential Guide to Selecting a Qualified Tree Service Provider: 5 Must-Have Credentials BeaverJack Tree Service, LLC Partner News
• Western Pa. hospitals juggle worsening medication shortages TribLive

Less alcohol, or none at all, is one path to better health

Find Your Seat

• Anaheim Ducks
• Arizona Coyotes
• Boston Bruins
• Buffalo Sabres
• Calgary Flames
• Carolina Hurricanes
• Chicago Blackhawks
• Colorado Avalanche
• Columbus Blue Jackets
• Dallas Stars
• Detroit Red Wings
• Edmonton Oilers
• Florida Panthers
• Los Angeles Kings
• Minnesota Wild
• Montreal Canadiens
• Nashville Predators
• New Jersey Devils
• New York Islanders
• New York Rangers
• Ottawa Senators
• Philadelphia Flyers
• Pittsburgh Penguins
• San Jose Sharks
• St. Louis Blues
• Tampa Bay Lightning
• Toronto Maple Leafs
• Vancouver Canucks
• Vegas Golden Knights
• Washington Capitals
• Winnipeg Jets
• Arizona Cardinals
• Atlanta Falcons
• Baltimore Ravens
• Buffalo Bills
• Carolina Panthers
• Chicago Bears
• Cincinnati Bengals
• Cleveland Browns
• Dallas Cowboys
• Denver Broncos
• Detroit Lions
• Green Bay Packers
• Houston Texans
• Indianapolis Colts
• Jacksonville Jaguars
• Kansas City Chiefs
• Los Angeles Chargers
• Los Angeles Rams
• Miami Dolphins
• Minnesota Vikings
• New England Patriots
• New Orleans Saints
• New York Giants
• New York Jets
• Oakland Raiders
• Philadelphia Eagles
• Pittsburgh Steelers
• San Francisco 49ers
• Seattle Seahawks
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Tennessee Titans
• Washington Redskins
• Atlanta Hawks
• Boston Celtics
• Brooklyn Nets
• Charlotte Hornets
• Chicago Bulls
• Cleveland Cavaliers
• Dallas Mavericks
• Denver Nuggets
• Detroit Pistons
• Golden State Warriors
• Houston Rockets
• Indiana Pacers
• Los Angeles Clippers
• Los Angeles Lakers
• Memphis Grizzlies
• Milwaukee Bucks
• Minnesota Timberwolves
• New Orleans Pelicans
• New York Knicks
• Oklahoma City Thunder
• Orlando Magic
• Philadelphia 76ers
• Phoenix Suns
• Portland Trail Blazers
• Sacramento Kings
• San Antonio Spurs
• Toronto Raptors
• Washington Wizards
• Arizona Diamondbacks
• Atlanta Braves
• Baltimore Orioles
• Boston Red Sox
• Chicago Cubs
• Chicago White Sox
• Cincinnati Reds
• Cleveland Indians
• Colorado Rockies
• Detroit Tigers
• Houston Astros
• Kansas City Royals
• Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
• Los Angeles Dodgers
• Miami Marlins
• Milwaukee Brewers
• Minnesota Twins
• New York Mets
• New York Yankees
• Oakland Athletics
• Philadelphia Phillies
• Pittsburgh Pirates
• San Diego Padres
• San Francisco Giants
• Seattle Mariners
• St. Louis Cardinals
• Tampa Bay Rays
• Texas Rangers
• Toronto Blue Jays
• Washington Nationals

Comments  

Have a comment about this section.

Email Us your comments along with the stadium and section number!

• You are here:  

• Driving Directions To The American Airlines Center

Shaded and Covered Seating at PNC Park

• Apr 30 West Virginia Mountaineers at Pittsburgh Panthers Baseball Tuesday, 7:00 PM
• May 3 Colorado Rockies at Pittsburgh Pirates Friday, 6:40 PM
• May 4 Colorado Rockies at Pittsburgh Pirates Saturday, 4:05 PM
• May 5 Colorado Rockies at Pittsburgh Pirates Sunday, 1:35 PM
• May 6 Los Angeles Angels at Pittsburgh Pirates Monday, 6:40 PM
• May 7 Los Angeles Angels at Pittsburgh Pirates Tuesday, 6:40 PM
• May 8 Los Angeles Angels at Pittsburgh Pirates Wednesday, 12:35 PM
• May 10 Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh Pirates Friday, 6:40 PM
• May 11 Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh Pirates Saturday, 4:05 PM
• May 12 Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh Pirates Sunday, 1:35 PM
• May 21 San Francisco Giants at Pittsburgh Pirates Tuesday, 6:40 PM
• May 22 San Francisco Giants at Pittsburgh Pirates Wednesday, 6:40 PM
• May 23 San Francisco Giants at Pittsburgh Pirates Thursday, 12:35 PM
• May 24 Atlanta Braves at Pittsburgh Pirates Friday, 6:40 PM
• May 25 Atlanta Braves at Pittsburgh Pirates Saturday, 4:05 PM
• May 26 Atlanta Braves at Pittsburgh Pirates Sunday, 1:35 PM
• Jun 4 Los Angeles Dodgers at Pittsburgh Pirates Tuesday, 6:40 PM
• Jun 5 Los Angeles Dodgers at Pittsburgh Pirates Wednesday, 6:40 PM
• Jun 6 Los Angeles Dodgers at Pittsburgh Pirates Thursday, 6:40 PM
• Jun 7 Minnesota Twins at Pittsburgh Pirates Friday, 6:40 PM
• Jun 8 Minnesota Twins at Pittsburgh Pirates Saturday, 4:05 PM
• Jun 9 Minnesota Twins at Pittsburgh Pirates Sunday, 1:35 PM
• Jun 17 Cincinnati Reds at Pittsburgh Pirates Monday, 6:40 PM
• Jun 18 Cincinnati Reds at Pittsburgh Pirates Tuesday, 6:40 PM
• Jun 19 Cincinnati Reds at Pittsburgh Pirates Wednesday, 12:35 PM
• Jun 21 Tampa Bay Rays at Pittsburgh Pirates Friday, 6:40 PM
• Jun 22 Tampa Bay Rays at Pittsburgh Pirates Saturday, 4:05 PM
• Jun 23 Tampa Bay Rays at Pittsburgh Pirates Sunday, 1:35 PM
• Jul 2 St. Louis Cardinals at Pittsburgh Pirates Tuesday, 6:40 PM
• Jul 3 St. Louis Cardinals at Pittsburgh Pirates Wednesday, 6:40 PM
• Jul 4 St. Louis Cardinals at Pittsburgh Pirates Thursday, 12:35 PM
• Jul 5 New York Mets at Pittsburgh Pirates Friday, 6:40 PM
• Jul 6 New York Mets at Pittsburgh Pirates Saturday, 4:05 PM
• Jul 7 New York Mets at Pittsburgh Pirates Sunday, 1:35 PM
• Jul 8 New York Mets at Pittsburgh Pirates Monday, 12:35 PM
• Jul 19 Philadelphia Phillies at Pittsburgh Pirates Friday, 6:40 PM
• Jul 20 Philadelphia Phillies at Pittsburgh Pirates Saturday, 6:40 PM
• Jul 21 Philadelphia Phillies at Pittsburgh Pirates Sunday, 1:35 PM
• Jul 22 St. Louis Cardinals at Pittsburgh Pirates Monday, 6:40 PM
• Jul 23 St. Louis Cardinals at Pittsburgh Pirates Tuesday, 6:40 PM
• Jul 24 St. Louis Cardinals at Pittsburgh Pirates Wednesday, 12:35 PM
• Jul 27 Def Leppard and Journey Saturday, 6:00 PM
• Aug 2 Arizona Diamondbacks at Pittsburgh Pirates Friday, 6:40 PM
• Aug 3 Arizona Diamondbacks at Pittsburgh Pirates Saturday, 6:40 PM
• Aug 4 Arizona Diamondbacks at Pittsburgh Pirates Sunday, 1:35 PM
• Aug 6 San Diego Padres at Pittsburgh Pirates Tuesday, 6:40 PM
• Aug 7 San Diego Padres at Pittsburgh Pirates Wednesday, 6:40 PM
• Aug 8 San Diego Padres at Pittsburgh Pirates Thursday, 12:35 PM
• Aug 16 Seattle Mariners at Pittsburgh Pirates Friday, 6:40 PM
• Aug 17 Seattle Mariners at Pittsburgh Pirates Saturday, 1:05 PM
• Aug 18 Seattle Mariners at Pittsburgh Pirates Sunday, 1:35 PM
• Aug 22 Cincinnati Reds at Pittsburgh Pirates Thursday, 6:40 PM
• Aug 23 Cincinnati Reds at Pittsburgh Pirates Friday, 6:40 PM
• Aug 24 Cincinnati Reds at Pittsburgh Pirates Saturday, 6:40 PM
• Aug 25 Cincinnati Reds at Pittsburgh Pirates Sunday, 1:35 PM
• Aug 26 Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh Pirates Monday, 6:40 PM
• Aug 27 Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh Pirates Tuesday, 6:40 PM
• Aug 28 Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh Pirates Wednesday, 12:35 PM
• Sep 1 Green Day Sunday, 5:30 PM
• Sep 5 Washington Nationals at Pittsburgh Pirates Thursday, 6:40 PM
• Sep 6 Washington Nationals at Pittsburgh Pirates Friday, 6:40 PM
• Sep 7 Washington Nationals at Pittsburgh Pirates Saturday, 6:40 PM
• Sep 8 Washington Nationals at Pittsburgh Pirates Sunday, 1:35 PM
• Sep 9 Miami Marlins at Pittsburgh Pirates Monday, 6:40 PM
• Sep 10 Miami Marlins at Pittsburgh Pirates Tuesday, 6:40 PM
• Sep 11 Miami Marlins at Pittsburgh Pirates Wednesday, 12:35 PM
• Sep 13 Kansas City Royals at Pittsburgh Pirates Friday, 6:40 PM
• Sep 14 Kansas City Royals at Pittsburgh Pirates Saturday, 6:40 PM
• Sep 15 Kansas City Royals at Pittsburgh Pirates Sunday, 1:35 PM
• Sep 24 Milwaukee Brewers at Pittsburgh Pirates Tuesday, 6:40 PM
• Sep 25 Milwaukee Brewers at Pittsburgh Pirates Wednesday, 6:40 PM
• Sep 26 Milwaukee Brewers at Pittsburgh Pirates Thursday, 12:35 PM

Finding Shaded Seats at PNC Park

Between June and August, Pittsburgh has some of the best baseball weather in the country. Despite an average high temperature of 80 degrees, the thermometer rarely reaches 90 degrees at PNC Park. Nevertheless, there will be the inevitable summer hot spell that can ruin an afternoon at the ballpark.

The Pirates typically play 8-10 day games during the summer months. During the week, these games usually start at 12:35 p.m., while first pitch on the weekends is at 1:35. When the sun is shining, the best way to avoid melting is to find seats in the shade. Here are a few tips for beating the heat at PNC Park:

• Sections 101-114 are the best seats for shade on the lower level
• Sections 301-312 are the most affordable shaded seats
• The most expensive seats are rarely shaded
• Outfield sections (especially in left field) are known as the sunniest seats

Seats on the First Base Side are Shaded First

Fans who attend many Pirates games will quickly tell you that the first base side is the shaded side of PNC Park. After the sun reaches its mid-day peak, it will fade behind sections on this side of the field.

Shaded Seats on the Lower Level

In the lower level, sections 101-114 are your best option on the first base side. Here's a breakdown of what to expect for most afternoon games:

• Rows R and above fully shaded at first pitch
• Rows E and above are shaded by the middle innings
• All rows are shaded after 4:00 p.m.

Home plate sections 115-117 will see shade patterns similar to sections 101-114. However, as you move closer to third base - and down the left field line - there are fewer and fewer seats in the shade. In these sections, aim for rows AA and higher for the best chance at protection.

Grandstand Seats in the Shade

The upper deck at PNC Park is also known as the Grandstand Level. Among these seats, sections 301-312 are your best spot for staying out of the sun. The upper half of rows in these sections are always shaded for afternoon games, and the lower half of each section gradually gets more shaded as the game progresses.

The Best Seats at PNC Park Are Rarely Shaded

Field Level sections 1-32 and Baseball Club sections 201-228 are the two most sought-after ticket areas. Unfortunately, these seats are rarely in the shade for day games in the summer.

If you are adamant about sitting in one of these two seating areas, be sure to sit in a section on the first base side. First base sections will be shaded in the later innings, while third base sections will always be in the sun.

Left Field Bleachers and Rooftop are Known as PNC Park's Sunny Seats

If you're sensitive to the sun, the one area that must be avoided is left field. Seats like the Bleachers (235-238) and the Rooftop (335-339) will always get a heavy dose of sun for day games.

Covered Seats at PNC Park

While PNC Park doesn't offer a whole lot of sun protection, it offers even less in the way of rain protection. Less than 10% of seats in the ballpark are under some cover, which creates a high demand for these seats when the forecast looks wet.

If you're purchasing tickets to a game and rain is a possibility, focus your search on the following areas:

• Rows R and above in the Grandstand Level
• Rows AA and above in the Lower Level

Within the 300s seats, keep in mind that covered seats are in the highest rows. This will require you to walk up stairs to reach your seats. Meanwhile, the covered seats in the 100s sections require no stairs or just a few stairs.

Fan Comments

• "Upper Deck on First Base Side Best Chance For Shade at PNC Park" In the lower level, choose high rows in Sections 108-113 if you are looking for shade at a Pirates games. Alternatively, seats In the upper deck on the first base side will be less expensive and still be well shaded. Because of the openness of the outfield, all outfield seating is exposed to the elements. Sections 135-138 and the bleachers are among the worst seats for shade at PNC Park. Similarly, avoid the exposed first few rows of Sections 331-333. ...More +63 Helpful!
• "Front of sections 109-124 are behind the netting" There is some amount of netting or screening in front of sections 109-124. The height and coverage of netting or screening will vary by section. ...More Helpful!

Related Questions

• Is Section 128 Row DD under an overhang at PNC Park? Asked June 16, 2013 The back portion of section 128 is protected by the overhanging seating above, and your best options for the most protection will be the last 3 rows (Rows FF-HH). Row DD will have some protection from the sun, but on rainy days you might get wet depending on how the wind is blowing. The last few rows of sections down the third base line at PNC Park are covered by an overhang, as shown by the picture above. ...More
• Which seats are under cover in sections 109 to 113 at PNC Park? Asked July 16, 2014 The best overhead coverage in Sections 109 to 113 will be in found in rows CC through HH (Row HH is the last row of these sections). The overhanging suite seating deck above covers these seats well, with the best shade coming in Rows FF-HH.  Covered seating at the top of the lower seating tier at PNC Park (CreativeCommons) ...More
• What is the last row number on the infield sections? Asked February 15, 2016 The last row in most lower level infield sections is labeled HH. Rows A-Z in these sections are followed by double-letter rows. To find covered seating, please access your event on our site and use the covered seating filter. This will display only tickets that are protected from rain.  ...More

Seat Ratings Mentioning Shade/Cover

More Ratings & Reviews

PNC Park Tickets All Events

• Apr 30 West Virginia Mountaineers at Pittsburgh Panthers Baseball Tuesday, 7:00 PM FROM $32
• May 3 Colorado Rockies at Pittsburgh Pirates Friday, 6:40 PM FROM $27
• May 4 Colorado Rockies at Pittsburgh Pirates (Mitch Keller Star Wars Bobblehead Giveaway) Saturday, 4:05 PM FROM $24
• May 5 Colorado Rockies at Pittsburgh Pirates Sunday, 1:35 PM FROM $21
• May 6 Los Angeles Angels at Pittsburgh Pirates Monday, 6:40 PM FROM $16
• May 7 Los Angeles Angels at Pittsburgh Pirates Tuesday, 6:40 PM FROM $16
• May 8 Los Angeles Angels at Pittsburgh Pirates Wednesday, 12:35 PM FROM $16
• May 10 Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh Pirates Friday, 6:40 PM FROM $19
• May 11 Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh Pirates (Oneil Cruz T-shirt Giveaway) Saturday, 4:05 PM FROM $26
• May 12 Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh Pirates Sunday, 1:35 PM FROM $19
• May 21 San Francisco Giants at Pittsburgh Pirates Tuesday, 6:40 PM FROM $16
• May 22 San Francisco Giants at Pittsburgh Pirates Wednesday, 6:40 PM FROM $16
• May 23 San Francisco Giants at Pittsburgh Pirates Thursday, 12:35 PM FROM $16
• May 24 Atlanta Braves at Pittsburgh Pirates Friday, 6:40 PM FROM $21
• May 25 Atlanta Braves at Pittsburgh Pirates (Dave Parker Bobblehead Giveaway) Saturday, 4:05 PM FROM $24
• May 26 Atlanta Braves at Pittsburgh Pirates Sunday, 1:35 PM FROM $21
• Jun 4 Los Angeles Dodgers at Pittsburgh Pirates Tuesday, 6:40 PM FROM $24
• Jun 5 Los Angeles Dodgers at Pittsburgh Pirates Wednesday, 6:40 PM FROM $24
• Jun 6 Los Angeles Dodgers at Pittsburgh Pirates Thursday, 6:40 PM FROM $24
• Jun 7 Minnesota Twins at Pittsburgh Pirates Friday, 6:40 PM FROM $19
• Jun 8 Minnesota Twins at Pittsburgh Pirates (80s T-shirt Giveaway) Saturday, 4:05 PM FROM $24
• Jun 9 Minnesota Twins at Pittsburgh Pirates Sunday, 1:35 PM FROM $21
• Jun 17 Cincinnati Reds at Pittsburgh Pirates Monday, 6:40 PM FROM $17
• Jun 18 Cincinnati Reds at Pittsburgh Pirates Tuesday, 6:40 PM FROM $17
• Jun 19 Cincinnati Reds at Pittsburgh Pirates Wednesday, 12:35 PM FROM $17
• Jun 21 Tampa Bay Rays at Pittsburgh Pirates Friday, 6:40 PM FROM $19
• Jun 22 Tampa Bay Rays at Pittsburgh Pirates (Andrew McCutchen Bobblehead Giveaway) Saturday, 4:05 PM FROM $21
• Jun 23 Tampa Bay Rays at Pittsburgh Pirates Sunday, 1:35 PM FROM $19
• Jul 2 St. Louis Cardinals at Pittsburgh Pirates Tuesday, 6:40 PM FROM $19
• Jul 3 St. Louis Cardinals at Pittsburgh Pirates Wednesday, 6:40 PM FROM $20
• Jul 4 St. Louis Cardinals at Pittsburgh Pirates Thursday, 12:35 PM FROM $20
• Jul 5 New York Mets at Pittsburgh Pirates (Pirates Bucket Hat Giveaway) Friday, 6:40 PM FROM $29
• Jul 6 New York Mets at Pittsburgh Pirates (Pirates Hawaiian Shirt Giveaway) Saturday, 4:05 PM FROM $29
• Jul 7 New York Mets at Pittsburgh Pirates Sunday, 1:35 PM FROM $21
• Jul 8 New York Mets at Pittsburgh Pirates Monday, 12:35 PM FROM $16
• Jul 19 Philadelphia Phillies at Pittsburgh Pirates Friday, 6:40 PM FROM $26
• Jul 20 Philadelphia Phillies at Pittsburgh Pirates (Yinzer Themed Bobblehead Giveaway) Saturday, 6:40 PM FROM $37
• Jul 21 Philadelphia Phillies at Pittsburgh Pirates Sunday, 1:35 PM FROM $21
• Jul 22 St. Louis Cardinals at Pittsburgh Pirates Monday, 6:40 PM FROM $16
• Jul 23 St. Louis Cardinals at Pittsburgh Pirates Tuesday, 6:40 PM FROM $16
• Jul 24 St. Louis Cardinals at Pittsburgh Pirates Wednesday, 12:35 PM FROM $16
• Jul 27 Def Leppard and Journey Saturday, 6:00 PM FROM $114
• Aug 2 Arizona Diamondbacks at Pittsburgh Pirates Friday, 6:40 PM FROM $21
• Aug 3 Arizona Diamondbacks at Pittsburgh Pirates Saturday, 6:40 PM FROM $24
• Aug 4 Arizona Diamondbacks at Pittsburgh Pirates Sunday, 1:35 PM FROM $21
• Aug 6 San Diego Padres at Pittsburgh Pirates Tuesday, 6:40 PM FROM $20
• Aug 7 San Diego Padres at Pittsburgh Pirates Wednesday, 6:40 PM FROM $19
• Aug 8 San Diego Padres at Pittsburgh Pirates Thursday, 12:35 PM FROM $19
• Aug 16 Seattle Mariners at Pittsburgh Pirates Friday, 6:40 PM FROM $21
• Aug 17 Seattle Mariners at Pittsburgh Pirates (90s T-Shirt Giveaway) Saturday, 1:05 PM FROM $24
• Aug 18 Seattle Mariners at Pittsburgh Pirates Sunday, 1:35 PM FROM $21
• Aug 22 Cincinnati Reds at Pittsburgh Pirates Thursday, 6:40 PM FROM $16
• Aug 23 Cincinnati Reds at Pittsburgh Pirates Friday, 6:40 PM FROM $21
• Aug 24 Cincinnati Reds at Pittsburgh Pirates Saturday, 6:40 PM FROM $21
• Aug 25 Cincinnati Reds at Pittsburgh Pirates Sunday, 1:35 PM FROM $16
• Aug 26 Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh Pirates Monday, 6:40 PM FROM $16
• Aug 27 Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh Pirates Tuesday, 6:40 PM FROM $16
• Aug 28 Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh Pirates Wednesday, 12:35 PM FROM $16
• Sep 1 Green Day Sunday, 5:30 PM FROM $65
• Sep 5 Washington Nationals at Pittsburgh Pirates Thursday, 6:40 PM FROM $16
• Sep 6 Washington Nationals at Pittsburgh Pirates Friday, 6:40 PM FROM $16
• Sep 7 Washington Nationals at Pittsburgh Pirates Saturday, 6:40 PM FROM $21
• Sep 8 Washington Nationals at Pittsburgh Pirates Sunday, 1:35 PM FROM $16
• Sep 9 Miami Marlins at Pittsburgh Pirates Monday, 6:40 PM FROM $16
• Sep 10 Miami Marlins at Pittsburgh Pirates Tuesday, 6:40 PM FROM $16
• Sep 11 Miami Marlins at Pittsburgh Pirates Wednesday, 12:35 PM FROM $19
• Sep 13 Kansas City Royals at Pittsburgh Pirates Friday, 6:40 PM FROM $19
• Sep 14 Kansas City Royals at Pittsburgh Pirates Saturday, 6:40 PM FROM $21
• Sep 15 Kansas City Royals at Pittsburgh Pirates (Collectible Clemente Baseball Card Giveaway) Sunday, 1:35 PM FROM $24
• Sep 24 Milwaukee Brewers at Pittsburgh Pirates Tuesday, 6:40 PM FROM $16
• Sep 25 Milwaukee Brewers at Pittsburgh Pirates Wednesday, 6:40 PM FROM $16
• Sep 26 Milwaukee Brewers at Pittsburgh Pirates Thursday, 12:35 PM FROM $21

• SEARCH / BROWSE
• UPLOAD A PHOTO
• RATE YOUR SEATS
• ORDER STATUS
• SAFE SHOPPING
• ACCESSIBILITY
• GIVE US A CALL
• (866) 270-7569

RateYourSeats.com is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, the NBA, the NFL, the NHL, MLS, the NCAA or any of its members.

The Ballpark Guide

Detailed Fan Guides for MLB & MiLB

• Where to Park at PNC Park

PNC Park is situated on Pittsburgh’s North Shore, and features one of the most picturesque ballpark scenes in the country.

If you’re getting to and from the stadium by car, you should follow one simple cardinal rule. If you’re driving in from the north, park in one of the many locations on the North Shore. And if you’re approaching the ballpark from the east, south, or west? Park for cheap in downtown Pittsburgh.

Downtown Pittsburgh has a few convenient garages that offer Pirates game day parking for as low as $5. Many of them are situated within an easy walk of a “T” train station that will deliver you right to PNC Park for free. Check out the Pirates website for a full list of these garages, their prices and where they’re located in relation to the “T” train.

If you’re coming from the north, or interested in the closest parking to PNC Park, you’ll want to check out the spots on the North Shore. The North Shore Garage, W. General Robinson Garage, Red Lot 6, and Gold Lot 2 are all either across the street from the stadium or less than a five-minute walk away. They’ll run you as little as $19, and as much as $34 for the premium option.

You can also park for on the North Shore for just $12 at the Carnegie Science Center North Lot. This parking lot is well situated for fans to grab a ride on the free “T” train, and the lot allows for tailgating.

The Ballpark Guide recommends booking convenient and affordable parking in advance through SpotHero, the nation’s leading parking reservations app. To reserve your parking spot, visit the  PNC Park SpotHero Parking Page  and book a spot with rates up to 50% off drive-up.

Parking at PNC Park FAQ

Can you park around pnc park in pittsburgh.

There is plenty of parking around PNC Park, given its downtown location.

Can you take a boat to PNC Park?

Some fans enjoy taking a ferry along the Allegheny River to the shore behind PNC Park.

Is it safe to park around PNC Park in Pittsburgh?

Downtown Pittsburgh is safe, especially on game days, thanks to a large police presence. You can feel safe parking your vehicle around PNC Park.

How much does it cost to park around PNC Park?

Depending on the lot you choose, you can expect to pay between $5 and $20 to park around PNC Park.

• Get Balls And Autographs At PNC Park
• Pre-Game Attractions At PNC Park
• What To Eat At PNC Park
• Where To Sit At PNC Park

• Things to Do
• Restaurants
• Holiday Rentals
• Travel Stories
• Add a Place
• Travel Forum
• Travellers' Choice
• Help Centre

Pre-Game Tour - PNC Park

• United States    
• Pennsylvania (PA)    
• Pittsburgh    
• Pittsburgh - Attractions    

Pre-Game Tour

Informative on little know Pittsburgh Pirates details! Was able to view behind the scenes locations. Enjoyed watching batting practice for both teams. Well worth doing the tour!

Full disclosure, I haven't cared about baseball since 1992. Totally full disclosure, I think PNC Bank is the worst financial institution in town. However, I visit the park from time to time when someone invites me. As a fan of modern architectural design, I appreciate the high level of thought, design and investment made here in our city, Whether you love baseball, the smell of peanuts (and crackjacks lol), or just want to wander around the park, you will enjoy the timeless look and feel of PNC Park.

We were in Pittsburgh and really wanted to see a game. As luck would have it, the Pirates we’re away for our entire stay in Pisburgh. While searching for things to do, we saw a tour of PNC Park was offered. We decided we at least would get a chance to see the park. Well, this was an absolutely amazing tour and for $8 each. You get to go on the field, press box, clubhouse, see memorabilia, learn interesting facts and get some good laughs. The tour is offered by the Pirates organization, lasts about an hour and a half. Check for times. This tour is Highly Recommended whether you are a baseball fan or not. One of the BEST TOURS I have ever taken anywhere! Don’t miss it!

We were there for a ballgame supporting the opposing team. With the exception of one individual we met on the way out, every single person was beyond kind and chatted to us about the teams. Food was good (they have a burger place there). We plan to come back!

Sat behind the visitors dugout ( Cubs) for the same price of bleachers seats in Wrigley! Nice group of Pittsburgh fans- Great Stadium and area bars.

For a team with a storied history, I am surprised by the weak fan support given to this club. They had to offer a seat and merchant redemption credit to sell many not so attractive seats. It is a beautiful park to watch a game. Many arrive by walking across the historic Roberto Clemente bridge. Food vendors charge a premium price for ballpark menu purchases. Fireworks shot after each home team homer. Any age can enjoy this park. Would definitely recommend !!