Full Breakdown
Steelers and Panthers stadium to install nearly 18,000 new seats
7/12/2026, 8:46:15 PM
Core Upgrade Details
The Pittsburgh Sports and Exhibition Authority approved funding to replace nearly 18,000 seats at Acrisure Stadium, the home of the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers and the University of Pittsburgh Panthers. The plan follows an earlier effort that removed 22,000 seats, which were sold to fans for $149-$599 each, generating more than $100,000 and projecting a similar amount from upcoming sales. The new seating will replace 58,719 of the venue’s 68,400 seats, using a blend of 85 % yellow and 15 % gray to reduce glare when the stadium is empty.
Background & Context
Opened in 2001 as Heinz Field, the 68,000-capacity stadium cost over $280 million to build and has been the Steelers’ and Panthers’ home since its debut. After 25 years, many original seats deteriorated, prompting the current large-scale replacement.
Official Statements & Responses
“The sea of gold sometimes gets overwhelming, so we did a little black and gold in there this time around.” — Art Rooney II, Steelers owner
“We were making changes to the seating.” — Art Rooney II, Steelers owner
Financial Impact
Sales of the removed seats have already produced more than $100,000, with the authority expecting a comparable amount from the remaining inventory. The revenue helps offset the cost of the new seats and demonstrates fan interest in owning a piece of the stadium’s history.
What’s Next
Installation of the newly ordered seats is slated to begin later this year, completing the swap of the majority of the stadium’s seating. No specific completion date has been announced.
