MLB
Stadium Guide
·
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Opened
March 31, 2001
Capacity of
38,362
Best way there
North Shore Connector / Federal St
10-minute walk to the gates.
Tickets
Mobile, in the MLB Ballpark app
Arrive by
Gates open 90 min early
Clemente Gate opens 2 hrs early.
Bag policy
One soft-sided bag, 16" × 16" × 8" max
Backpacks that size are OK. All bags are searched.
Food & water
Yes: outside food and one sealed water
Water up to 24 oz. No food in club or suite areas.
Parking
$20–$40
North Shore garages and lots.
Nearest airport
Pittsburgh (PIT) · 18 mi
About 30 min by car.
Best value seats
Upper deck sections 311–325
Mid-infield.
PNC Park opened in 2001 along the Allegheny River in downtown Pittsburgh and is widely considered one of the most beautiful ballparks in baseball. It holds just under 38,400 fans and the views — particularly from the first base side, looking across the field toward the Roberto Clemente Bridge and the Pittsburgh skyline — are as good as any in MLB. The Roberto Clemente Bridge is closed to traffic on game days, creating a pedestrian walkway from downtown that's become one of the great ballpark arrival experiences.
The North Shore neighborhood around the park has developed considerably since it opened, with restaurants and bars along Federal Street. Walking over the Clemente Bridge from downtown's Market Square area is the best approach — about a 20-minute walk through a genuinely scenic urban setting. Parking is available on the North Shore, and the T light rail stops at North Side station nearby. Even for non-Pirates fans, PNC Park is a destination worth visiting for the setting alone.
PIT is about 18 miles west of PNC Park. Rideshare runs $35–$50. By transit, take the 28X Airport Flyer bus to Downtown, then walk across the Roberto Clemente Bridge or ride the T to North Side station.
ADA parking is in the North Shore lots next to the stadium, reservable in advance on the Pirates website. Drop-off is on General Robinson St near the home plate entrance. Accessibility services: (412) 323-5000.
North Shore garages and surface lots, including Pirates lots on General Robinson St, are mostly 5–10 minutes from the gates. Pre-buy through ParkWhiz or the Pirates website to save money and guarantee a spot on big days.
Tailgating happens in the North Shore surface lots, which fill up a couple of hours before first pitch on big days. Prefer a seat? Try Burgatory or Tequila Cowboy on the riverfront.
The T light rail stops at North Side station, a short walk from PNC Park. Rides between Downtown and the North Shore stations are free. Some regular bus routes stop nearby too. Check rideprt.org for schedules.
From Downtown, walk one of the three bridges. The Roberto Clemente Bridge (6th St) is closed to traffic on game days and is the classic approach, about 15–20 minutes from the heart of Downtown.
Racks are near the stadium on the North Shore riverfront trail. The Three Rivers Heritage Trail links PNC Park to the South Side, Downtown and the Strip District.
One factory-sealed water bottle, 24 ounces or less.
Outside food is allowed, but not in the Hyundai Club, Suite Level or the Jim Beam Left Field Lounge & Jim Beam Porch areas.
One soft-sided bag per guest, 16" x 16" x 8" or smaller. Purses, fanny packs and backpacks count. Medical and diaper bags are also allowed. All bags are searched.
Home plate sections have top sightlines, with the skyline and Allegheny River beyond the outfield. The Pirates dugout is on the third base side.
Clean sightlines, a dramatic skyline backdrop and some of the cheapest tickets in the majors. Mid-infield sections show the full park.
Avoid the far upper deck corners: steep angles and a long way from the infield. Bad seats are otherwise rare.
Home plate points roughly northwest. Afternoon sun hits right field and first base, while the third base side gets upper deck shade earlier. For summer day games, choose third base.
PNC Park is open-air on the Allegheny River. April and May games can be cold at night, so bring layers. Summer is warm and sometimes humid, with an evening breeze off the river.
Section 110 - Pittsburgh's sandwich shop, with coleslaw and fries stuffed inside. Get the pastrami.
Left Field Concourse - Award-winning sauces on wings and chicken tenders. Triple Atomic is the hot one.
Right Field Rotunda - Slow-smoked brisket, pulled pork and housemade sides. Try the pulled pork mac and cheese.
The STEM Zone (near the Right Field Gate, best for ages 5–10) has a mini PNC Park, a play set, STEM exhibits, a Diamond Kinetics swing-matching game against current Pirates, and a broadcast booth. The Riverwalk Kids Zone in the outfield has a bouncy bridge and a pirate-ship climbing structure.
Family Fun Days run select Sundays. The Family Fun Zone on Federal Street (presented by C&M Play Studio) opens at 11am with inflatables, games, mascots, balloon art and face/temporary tattoos, and closes at game start. Inside, Fan Faves stands sell $5 concessions (hot dogs, cracker jacks, pretzels, peanuts, popcorn, soda, water), and kids 14 and under often get a free giveaway. Kids Run the Bases follows the game, presented by Chicken of the Sea. Buccaroos Kids Club includes a welcome kit and discounted tickets.
Nursing: A Mamava nursing pod on the Main Concourse behind Section 131 (ADA-accessible, benches, outlets, app-controlled airflow/lighting, lockable door), plus a nursing room in Guest Relations at the bottom of the Home Plate Rotunda. Access via the Mamava app or any Guest Relations location.
Sensory/quiet space: Sensory room on the Suite Level near the Left Field Rotunda, developed with Allegheny Health Network and KultureCity. Has bubble walls, sensory art/touch panels, noise-cancelling headphones, fidget toys and verbal cue cards. Staffed each game.
Tip: The first floor near the play areas is shaded, good for nursing, bottles, diaper changes or a break from the sun.
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