pnc park guide
In 2001 the Pittsburgh Pirates opened PNC Park which would be the new home to one of the most consistently pathetic teams in all of baseball.
After many years of consecutive losing seasons, they finally snapped the streak and turned in some winning efforts. That means that Pirate tickets are more in demand, but they are still a relatively good value if you shop smart.
As for the stadium setting and amenities, PNC Park is one of the best in all of baseball. You can pick up some great local food at the stadium, and really take in some phenomenal views of downtown Pittsburgh from the upper deck.
After many years of consecutive losing seasons, they finally snapped the streak and turned in some winning efforts. That means that Pirate tickets are more in demand, but they are still a relatively good value if you shop smart.
As for the stadium setting and amenities, PNC Park is one of the best in all of baseball. You can pick up some great local food at the stadium, and really take in some phenomenal views of downtown Pittsburgh from the upper deck.
Free or Cheap Parking at PNC Park
Let’s talk about where you can park for free at PNC Park. Most of the free parking is going to be on the street in and around the cultural district near the Clemente Bridge. According to the Pittsburgh parking authority their meters are only in effect until 6 pm, so after that you are home free. You shouldn't have any problem driving around within a couple blocks of the bridge and finding a spot if you are arriving before 6 o'clock.
If you don’t feel like doing a little searching for free parking, or if you parallel park like my wife, there are plenty of parking garages and lots in the area to choose from.
Your selection of a parking location for PNC Park is reliant on two factors: where are you coming from, and how much are you willing to pay for proximity to the stadium?
If you’re coming to the stadium from any other direction than the north, you’re in luck. There are eight parking garages or lots scattered around the Pittsburgh downtown area that will allow you to park for as low as $5 on gameday.
The garage at Fort Duquesne and Sixth Street might be the best of them all. For $7 you can park right next to the Roberto Clemente Bridge. A quick 5 minute walk across the bridge separates you from the ballpark, and it might be one of the most picturesque entrances to a stadium in the country. So many people actually prefer to park across the bridge from the stadium and walk over before the game. The feeling you get walking across the bridge before the game is pretty cool, and it's a relatively short walk.
There is a garage at Ninth and Penn St that costs $6 for Pirates games and also puts you within easy striking distance of the Roberto Clemente Bridge.
Which brings us to the six total $5 game day parking options. A thing of beauty indeed.
Check out this map for their locations.
Lots numbered 3 through 8 all cost $5 and are either within walking distance of the stadium or provide access to the local “T” light rail system, which drops you off right at the stadium. Easy.
If you’re coming from the north you almost certainly want to park on the North Shore. This will allow you to get in and out of the city as quickly as possible. There are a number of parking garages or lots with easy access to the stadium for varying prices.
You can actually reserve a guaranteed parking spot at most of the North Shore parking locations through a service called Parking Panda. This is a really convenient way to do gameday parking. You pay for parking ahead of time, they email you the parking pass, and a space is saved for you. Check it out here or view all of their options for Pirates games below:
If you don’t feel like doing a little searching for free parking, or if you parallel park like my wife, there are plenty of parking garages and lots in the area to choose from.
Your selection of a parking location for PNC Park is reliant on two factors: where are you coming from, and how much are you willing to pay for proximity to the stadium?
If you’re coming to the stadium from any other direction than the north, you’re in luck. There are eight parking garages or lots scattered around the Pittsburgh downtown area that will allow you to park for as low as $5 on gameday.
The garage at Fort Duquesne and Sixth Street might be the best of them all. For $7 you can park right next to the Roberto Clemente Bridge. A quick 5 minute walk across the bridge separates you from the ballpark, and it might be one of the most picturesque entrances to a stadium in the country. So many people actually prefer to park across the bridge from the stadium and walk over before the game. The feeling you get walking across the bridge before the game is pretty cool, and it's a relatively short walk.
There is a garage at Ninth and Penn St that costs $6 for Pirates games and also puts you within easy striking distance of the Roberto Clemente Bridge.
Which brings us to the six total $5 game day parking options. A thing of beauty indeed.
Check out this map for their locations.
Lots numbered 3 through 8 all cost $5 and are either within walking distance of the stadium or provide access to the local “T” light rail system, which drops you off right at the stadium. Easy.
If you’re coming from the north you almost certainly want to park on the North Shore. This will allow you to get in and out of the city as quickly as possible. There are a number of parking garages or lots with easy access to the stadium for varying prices.
You can actually reserve a guaranteed parking spot at most of the North Shore parking locations through a service called Parking Panda. This is a really convenient way to do gameday parking. You pay for parking ahead of time, they email you the parking pass, and a space is saved for you. Check it out here or view all of their options for Pirates games below:
If you’re searching for the Cadillac of parking spots, look no further than Red Lot 6.
This is one of the Pirates’ official parking lots, and it’s located right across the street from the stadium down the third base line. Cross over W General Robinson St and you’re at the stadium. Tailgating is allowed at this lot. Parking at the lot costs $25 if you just show up and pay, but spaces do sell out quickly.
Parking Panda charges a premium for this lot, but that ensures you have a space waiting for you no matter what time you arrive. The convenience of this lot might justify the cost for some. My Dad might be one to spring for the $34 option.
The cheapest parking option on the North Shore can be found at the Carnegie Science Center’s North Lot. Parking costs $12 for all Pirates games. The lot is over a half a mile from the stadium, but you can catch a free ride to the stadium on the “T” light rail system.
There are a few other midrange parking garages on the North Shore, conveniently located across the street from the stadium on W. General Robinson St.
This is one of the Pirates’ official parking lots, and it’s located right across the street from the stadium down the third base line. Cross over W General Robinson St and you’re at the stadium. Tailgating is allowed at this lot. Parking at the lot costs $25 if you just show up and pay, but spaces do sell out quickly.
Parking Panda charges a premium for this lot, but that ensures you have a space waiting for you no matter what time you arrive. The convenience of this lot might justify the cost for some. My Dad might be one to spring for the $34 option.
The cheapest parking option on the North Shore can be found at the Carnegie Science Center’s North Lot. Parking costs $12 for all Pirates games. The lot is over a half a mile from the stadium, but you can catch a free ride to the stadium on the “T” light rail system.
There are a few other midrange parking garages on the North Shore, conveniently located across the street from the stadium on W. General Robinson St.
Pirates Tickets
Pirates' tickets are generally very affordable.
In fact, if you want to check out PNC Park. Regular game ticket prices start at about $9 for the bleachers and the outer view level which ain't bad. The Pirates also offer a fair amount of specials and incentives throughout the year, so if you plan your trips to PNC Park ahead of time you can really save some money.
PNC Park is known for having great sight lines wherever you sit. The view from behind the plate in the upper deck is tough to beat not only for a birds eye view of the field, but a breathtaking view of downtown Pittsburgh. If I was going, I would buy upper deck seats close to right behind the plate. In fact the outfield is so open you really get a nice view of downtown in the lower level behind the plate and down the 3rd base line.
However another way to look at this if you are doing a baseball trip, or coming from out of town, PNC Park is also a great place to splurge a good seats without getting killed on price. Infield box seats are some of the cheapest in all of baseball and there will be plenty available. Another thought to keep in mind is that the right field side of the stadium is going to be the first in the shade for a summer evening game and may prove to be a little more comfortable than it's left field counterpart.
The Pirates have all you can eat seats which are right behind the outfield fence in right. Classic ballpark fare is included, but no alcohol. You don't get the cool view of downtown from here either.
Speaking of all you can eat seats; if you are overweight and tend to feel uncomfortable and cramped in stadium seats, the PNC Park has you covered. They have a fair amount of seats that are on the aisle and don't have an arm rest. So you can spread out a bit and not worry about trying to cram into a seat. These are usually in the last couple rows of the section, but if you go to the ticket window and just ask about the seats with no arm rests - they will know what you are talking about.
If you fit comfortably in a stadium seat, you might want to think about a seat in the middle of the row; especially in the lower level. It seemed to me that Pirate fans weren't all that into the game, which led to fans constantly walking up and down the steps. We were on the aisle so we missed what seemed like 45 minutes of the game because of people walking by us in the middle of the inning. It was a small sample size, but you could greatly reduce that by sitting mid-row.
The vast majority of the time, you should not be paying face value for tickets anyway. If you are smart about buying from trusted 3rd parties, you can save huge on Pirates tickets.
Stubhub is the official marketplace for MLB tickets, and they protect you against fraudulent tickets. If you want to buy on Stubhub, you are usually better off if you can wait until close to game time. For baseball, you usually print your tickets at home after you buy.
This means you can often buy tickets up until a couple hours before game time. From the seller perspective, Stubhub encourages sellers to reduce their price incrementally as the event gets closer so they aren't stuck with the tickets. So when you are looking at a game that starts in just a few hours, it is likely you are going to find some great value.
In fact, if you want to check out PNC Park. Regular game ticket prices start at about $9 for the bleachers and the outer view level which ain't bad. The Pirates also offer a fair amount of specials and incentives throughout the year, so if you plan your trips to PNC Park ahead of time you can really save some money.
PNC Park is known for having great sight lines wherever you sit. The view from behind the plate in the upper deck is tough to beat not only for a birds eye view of the field, but a breathtaking view of downtown Pittsburgh. If I was going, I would buy upper deck seats close to right behind the plate. In fact the outfield is so open you really get a nice view of downtown in the lower level behind the plate and down the 3rd base line.
However another way to look at this if you are doing a baseball trip, or coming from out of town, PNC Park is also a great place to splurge a good seats without getting killed on price. Infield box seats are some of the cheapest in all of baseball and there will be plenty available. Another thought to keep in mind is that the right field side of the stadium is going to be the first in the shade for a summer evening game and may prove to be a little more comfortable than it's left field counterpart.
The Pirates have all you can eat seats which are right behind the outfield fence in right. Classic ballpark fare is included, but no alcohol. You don't get the cool view of downtown from here either.
Speaking of all you can eat seats; if you are overweight and tend to feel uncomfortable and cramped in stadium seats, the PNC Park has you covered. They have a fair amount of seats that are on the aisle and don't have an arm rest. So you can spread out a bit and not worry about trying to cram into a seat. These are usually in the last couple rows of the section, but if you go to the ticket window and just ask about the seats with no arm rests - they will know what you are talking about.
If you fit comfortably in a stadium seat, you might want to think about a seat in the middle of the row; especially in the lower level. It seemed to me that Pirate fans weren't all that into the game, which led to fans constantly walking up and down the steps. We were on the aisle so we missed what seemed like 45 minutes of the game because of people walking by us in the middle of the inning. It was a small sample size, but you could greatly reduce that by sitting mid-row.
The vast majority of the time, you should not be paying face value for tickets anyway. If you are smart about buying from trusted 3rd parties, you can save huge on Pirates tickets.
Stubhub is the official marketplace for MLB tickets, and they protect you against fraudulent tickets. If you want to buy on Stubhub, you are usually better off if you can wait until close to game time. For baseball, you usually print your tickets at home after you buy.
This means you can often buy tickets up until a couple hours before game time. From the seller perspective, Stubhub encourages sellers to reduce their price incrementally as the event gets closer so they aren't stuck with the tickets. So when you are looking at a game that starts in just a few hours, it is likely you are going to find some great value.
Another great place to buy tickets is from Score Big. Let's face it, most ticket broker sites are the same but this one is actually different. It is kind of like the Priceline of sports tickets. Essentially you can search events in your area, and make an offer on tickets and get an instant answer on whether your bid is accepted.
Here are a couple of screenshots of how it works. You can select a quantity, and then it gives you different tiers. It gives you an approximate discount percentage, and shows on the seat map which sections your tickets could possibly be in.
Next you enter in a price, again it gives you an idea how how likely that is to be accepted. I made the comparison to Priceline, and it is true, you have to put in payment details prior to making an official offer. But if you are going to the game, what a great way to save money on tickets!
Here are deals on upcoming games:
Here are a couple of screenshots of how it works. You can select a quantity, and then it gives you different tiers. It gives you an approximate discount percentage, and shows on the seat map which sections your tickets could possibly be in.
Next you enter in a price, again it gives you an idea how how likely that is to be accepted. I made the comparison to Priceline, and it is true, you have to put in payment details prior to making an official offer. But if you are going to the game, what a great way to save money on tickets!
Here are deals on upcoming games:
best food at pnc park
Like many other stadiums PNC Park allows you to bring your own food into the stadium. You can also bring sealed bottled water in a soft sided cooler if you would like. That is a great way for a fan on a budget to save a few bucks at a Pirates game. If you are coming from out of town, I would recommend ponying up the cash for a Primanti Brothers sandwich in section 310. Pictured below, these are one of the things that Pittsburg is famous for and worth the money in my opinion.
Another option that I consistently recommend is restaurant.com Here you can buy $25 gift certificates to local restaurants for $10. You can also do a google search for "Restaurant.com coupon codes" and almost always get an extra 60 - 80% off that. I often buy these $25 certificates for $2. That is the best way to eat a decent meal before or after the game and save a chunk of change. When you follow the link, just type in the zip code of PNC Park (15212) to see what restaurants are nearby.
Another option that I consistently recommend is restaurant.com Here you can buy $25 gift certificates to local restaurants for $10. You can also do a google search for "Restaurant.com coupon codes" and almost always get an extra 60 - 80% off that. I often buy these $25 certificates for $2. That is the best way to eat a decent meal before or after the game and save a chunk of change. When you follow the link, just type in the zip code of PNC Park (15212) to see what restaurants are nearby.
free stuff at pnc park
- Located on Federal Street from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. before each Sunday home game. The Kids Fun Zone is free to all fans and offers a variety of kids-oriented games, activities and entertainment for Pirates fans ages 14 and under.
- Young children attending Pirates games may obtain a free ID bracelet personalized with their name and seat location, enabling event staff to return lost children to their seats. Wristbands are available for all home games at any Guest Relations location.
- Beginning in the seventh inning and continuing post-game, AAA East Central will offer complimentary service to Guests needing automotive assistance. The "Buc Truck" is located at the west side of the ballpark to help fans with automotive difficulties. To reach the Buc Truck, please see a Guest Relations representative or stop by the nearest Guest Relations location. Guests may also contact AAA directly by phoning (412) 362-1900.
- PNC Park offers complimentary admission to children under 32-inches in height. However, we do request that these children sit in their parent or guardian's lap and not occupy an additional seat.
- The Designated Driver booth is sponsored by ARAMARK. Registrants for the "Responsibility Has It's Rewards" Program must be 21 years of age and have a valid Driver's License. In return for promising responsibility for the safe and sober transportation of their group from the ballpark, a registrant will receive one (1) coupon redeemable for a non-alcoholic beverage during the game at Northshore Refreshment Company locations only. Registrants also receive a Designated Driver paper wristband. The Designated Driver booth is located on the first base side of the Main Concourse across from Section 101.