Acrisure Stadium

• 1. Origins And Funding

  ›

  Ground was broken for the stadium on the 18th of June 1999. The project cost $281 million and stood along the Ohio River in Pittsburgh's North Shore neighborhood. City officials initially proposed a sales tax increase to fund three projects: Heinz Field, PNC Park, and an expansion of the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. Voters rejected this proposal in a 1997 referendum known as the Regional Renaissance Initiative. Opponents labeled the alternative funding plan Scam B after its approval by the Allegheny Regional Asset District board on the 9th of July 1998. One board member called the use of tax dollars corporate welfare while critics argued the Steelers' pledge was too small even after it rose from $50 million to $76.5 million. The total public money allocated reached $233 million for the stadium portion alone within an overall plan totaling $809 million. Steelers owners feared failing to build a new facility would hurt their ability to sign players who might choose other teams with newer stadiums.

• 2. Design And Construction

  ›

  HOK Sport designed the structure using steel structurally and externally to acknowledge Pittsburgh's history of steel production. Twelve thousand tons of steel went into construction over two years under Hunt Construction Group and Mascaro Construction Company LP. Melinda Lehman served as project manager for HOK Sport during the building process. No construction accidents or lawsuits occurred despite directing 1,400 workers through the timeline. The stone used in the design is artificial to decrease costs while glass elements provide views of surrounding areas. A Sony JumboTron became the largest scoreboard in the NFL upon opening in 2001. Trough-style urinals existed in men's restrooms until replaced with individual units featuring privacy dividers in 2023. A bronze statue of Steelers founder Art Rooney moved from its previous position outside Three Rivers Stadium to its current location. A statue of a Pitt Panther over a paved depiction of Pitt's Cathedral of Learning stands outside Gate A. Aramark serves as the culinary provider with over 400 eateries located throughout the stadium.

• 3. Naming Rights Evolution

  ›

  The H.J. Heinz Company purchased naming rights on the 6th of June 2001. Heinz paid the Steelers $57 million through 2021 with the number 57 serving as an intentional reference to Heinz 57 products. Kraft Heinz acquired the Heinz name in 2015 but retained the stadium's identity through that year. On the 10th of July 2022, reports confirmed Heinz would not sign a new deal ending their 21-year business arrangement. Michigan-based insurance company Acrisure bought the naming rights following unsuccessful attempts to find another local buyer. Thomas Tull holds an ownership stake in Acrisure and is also a minority owner of the Steelers. Fans expressed fierce opposition to renaming the venue after decades of calling it Heinz Field. Kraft Heinz later renegotiated to become the naming sponsor for Gate C near the Allegheny Light Rail station. The company repurposed the Heinz Field name for Aliquippa Junior/Senior High School's new football stadium as part of a $1.3 million endowment to the school district.

• 4. Playing Surface Controversies

  ›

  Kentucky Bluegrass grass was laid in June 2001 at half the height of most NFL fields. A heating system using antifreeze and hot water kept the field around 62 degrees Fahrenheit to maintain growth year-round. Desso GrassMaster synthetic-enhanced turf replaced natural sod in 2003 after players began slipping during gameplay. the 23rd of November 2007 brought four WPIAL championship games followed by Pitt versus South Florida. Heavy rain fell after sod was laid on the GrassMaster surface leaving tarps on until 70 minutes before kickoff against Miami. Dolphins punter Brandon Fields' punt stuck to the turf without bouncing during that game which ended 3-0. Gene Upshaw ranked Heinz Field second-worst in the league following a 2006 survey of NFL players. Hines Ward called conditions horrendous yet lobbied to keep the natural surface saying everyone wanted to keep the grass. A February 2008 poll of 1,565 NFL players rated the surface worst among 18 natural surfaces in the League. Ben Roethlisberger received a concussion from a hit at Heinz Field later stating soft grass might have helped prevent injury.

• 5. Major Sporting Events

  ›

  The first official football game occurred September 1 between Pittsburgh Panthers and East Tennessee State with David Priestley scoring an 85-yard touchdown. The stadium hosted its premiere regular season game October 7 against Cincinnati Bengals following postponements due to September 11 attacks. President George W. Bush's speech ordering attacks on Afghanistan appeared live on the JumboTron meeting applause from spectators. The quickest score in NFL history happened the 8th of September 2013 when Steelers scored a safety three seconds into the game against Tennessee Titans. On the 1st of January 2011 the venue hosted the NHL Winter Classic between Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals attended by 68,111 fans. Jackie Evancho sang the Star Spangled Banner before Franco Harris, Jerome Bettis, and Mario Lemieux dropped the ceremonial puck. The 2017 NHL Stadium Series featured Penguins versus Philadelphia Flyers drawing 67,318 spectators. A Backyard Brawl between Pitt and West Virginia University on the 1st of September 2022 set attendance records with 70,622 fans watching No. 17 Pitt defeat Mountaineers 38-31.

• 6. Concerts And Cultural Impact

  ›

  NSYNC hosted the first event at Heinz Field the 18th of August 2001 attended by 48,118 people generating $2,558,856 revenue. Taylor Swift's Eras Tour performance the 17th of June 2023 drew 73,117 attendees making it the highest-ticketed event in Pittsburgh history. Kenny Chesney performed multiple times including Somewhere in the Sun Tour the 30th of July 2005 with 53,133 spectators earning $3,416,682. U2 played their Joshua Tree Tour 2017 the 7th of June 2017 attracting 41,413 fans for $4,273,920. Beyoncé became the first Black artist to headline the stadium the 31st of May 2016 during The Formation World Tour drawing 36,325 people. The Rolling Stones appeared the 4th of October 2021 on their No Filter Tour with 43,702 attendees and $8,781,607 revenue. Ed Sheeran performed +, =÷× Tour the 8th of July 2023 reaching 67,829 spectators for $5,823,055. Local bands like The Clarks and Povertyneck Hillbillies have also played multiple shows at the venue since its opening.