Stadium of the Week

In the era of luxury boxes, club seats, sponsorship and revenue, teams are building stadiums left and right to stay competitive within their industry.   There are so many old stadiums that are landmarks and are still standing that despite their age, are still the tops around. I will give my insight on different stadiums throughout football and baseball. Here is the next stadium(s): PNC Park, PNC Park

THIS WEEKS FEATURED VENUE: HEINZ FIELD, PITTSBURGH PA

Great Hall (top left), Outside of stadium (bottom left), and view out of south endzone at the opener.

The current featured venue is Heinz Field.  Heinz Field is home to the Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL).  Heinz payed $57 million over 20 years for the naming rights and Coca Cola also paid to name the Great Hall. Heinz Field was completed in 2001 where the Steelers went 7-1 at home (13-3 for the season) and 1-1 in the playoffs. The $230 million stadium seats about 65,000.  The horseshoe design features an open endzone in the south that shows a fantastic view of the city.  The scoreboard also located here is one of the biggest in the world.  Heinz Ketchup bottles were installed above the board, on either side of the speakers which move when the Steelers go into the "Red Zone".

View from upperdeck endzone

Below the scoreboard is a plaza where fans can stand and watch the game.  Bands will also play here at different events.   On the east side of the stadium there is the Coca Cola Great Hall.  This is a shopping/food/entertainment area.  It has Super Bowl trophies and other memorablia on display.  You can also find local favorite food stands such as Primanti Brothers.  On gamedays, bands will play here along with local pregame shows.  There are four ramps, one located at each corner.  Two switch back ramps in the north and two rotundas in the south.  This provides access to the upper levels from the three entrances to the stadium.  Heinz Field also hosts many other events throughout the year, weather it's concerts, Steelers events or another local event, it is a fantastic venue.  Every seat provides a good view of the grass playing field unlike the Steelers former home, Three Rivers Stadium.  It has also allowed the Steelers to retain top free agents.  You can also attend Heinz Field for a Pitt game.  As for seat location, my personal favorite would be between the 40 and 40 in the 500 level's first row.

View of playing field and downtown from the northwest corner of Heinz Field.

One of the rotundas crowded with fans watching the action on the field.

STADIUM STATS

Opened: August 2001 Capacity: 64,450 Club Seats: about 6,600 Club Lounges: 2, one on each side Luxury Suites: 127 Events: Steelers and Panthers Football, Concerts, Public Assembly Design Features: Coca-Cola Great Hall, South Endzone Plaza, Horseshoe design Scoreboard Size: 96" by 27" Field Surface: Grass Statues: Art Rooney, Pitt Panther

View from roof at opener.

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