Pitt Stadium

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Lore & Background

The NFL's Steelers played home games at Forbes Field from their 1933 inception to 1957. They first played at Pitt Stadium in 1942, in an exhibition match for U.S.O. charity against the Fort Knox 'Armoraiders' on November 15. From 1958 to 1963, the Steelers split home games between Forbes Field and Pitt Stadium. Fans were able to purchase season ticket packages for one site or the other. In 1964, the Steelers began to play home games exclusively at Pitt Stadium, which they continued until moving to the new Three Rivers Stadium in 1970. Of historic note, the iconic photo of New York Giants quarterback Y. A. Tittle, helmet-less, bloodied and kneeling, was taken at Pitt Stadium in 1964 following a Giants' loss to the Steelers on September 20. The photo, taken by Pittsburgh Post-Gazette photographer Morris Berman, now hangs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

In Their Own Story

The wind howled off the Monongahela, cutting through the open-air concrete bowl as the October sun dipped low. Inside Pitt Stadium, the air smelled of roasted peanuts, damp wool, and the distinct, metallic tang of Pittsburgh steel. A sea of black and gold surged in unison, a rhythmic thunder that shook the very foundations of the Oakland neighborhood. On the field, the young Steelers, clad in their classic yellow helmets, huddled against the biting chill. The roar from the stands was not just noise; it was a physical force, a demand for victory from a city that knew hard work better than anyone. As the quarterback broke the huddle, he didn't look at the scoreboard or the modern lights of a new era; he looked up at the steep, crowded terraces where generations of fans had stood, their breath visible in the cold air, willing the team forward into history.

Reader's Guide

For the lifelong Steelers supporter, Pitt Stadium represents more than just a venue; it is the spiritual birthplace of the franchise's golden age. While the physical structure no longer stands, its memory serves as the foundation upon which the modern dynasty was built. To understand the soul of the Steelers, one must appreciate the grit required to play in this open-air arena, where winter winds whipped off the Monongahela and the concrete steps offered little shelter from the elements. It was a place where loyalty was forged in the cold, and every victory felt like a triumph over the city's harsh realities, not just an opponent on the field.

Did You Know?

• The Steelers first played at Pitt Stadium in 1942, in an exhibition match for U.S.O. charity against the Fort Knox 'Armoraiders' on November 15.
• From 1958 to 1963, the Steelers split home games between Forbes Field and Pitt Stadium, and fans could purchase season ticket packages for one site or the other.
• The iconic photo of New York Giants quarterback Y. A. Tittle, helmet-less, bloodied and kneeling, was taken at Pitt Stadium in 1964 following a Giants' loss to the Steelers on September 20.
• The Steelers played home games exclusively at Pitt Stadium from 1964 until moving to the new Three Rivers Stadium in 1970.
• The highest attended game at Pitt Stadium was in 1938, when 68,918 saw the Panthers defeat Fordham 24–13 on October 29.