Shaded Seats at Acrisure Stadium

Acrisure Stadium, forever known to many as Heinz Field, serves as the proud home of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the University of Pittsburgh Panthers. Famous for its striking views of the Pittsburgh skyline and nearby rivers, this stadium is definitely a fan favorite. Pittsburgh experiences a true four-season climate, so whether it’s heat during a summer concert or cold at a late-season Steelers game, knowing where the sun and shade are located is crucial for a comfortable experience. Fans can use this guide to identify the shaded seats at Acrisure Stadium.

Where are the seats in the shade and sun at Acrisure Stadium?

As a general rule, the seats in the shade at Acrisure Stadium are located:

• West Sideline: Shaded by mid-afternoon the home side of the stadium
• Under Cover: Seats under direct cover are shaded early in the day

And the seats in the sun at Acrisure Stadium are located:

• East Sideline: Lots of sun on the away team’s side of the stadium
• End Zones: Exposed to the sun for most of the day

Most Steelers games at Acrisure Stadium kick off at 1:00pm with the occasional Sunday night, Monday night, or late afternoon start mixed in. College games sometimes start as early as noon or can have later afternoon kickoffs. Concerts typically start in the early evening. For specific details about shaded sections at different start times, please continue reading.

Acrisure Stadium Orientation to the Sun

Acrisure Stadium is oriented northwest to southeast. By noon, the sun is high in the sky above the south end zone. Over the course of the afternoon, it curves behind the west side of the stadium and eventually sets closer to the north end zone. This configuration makes the west side of the stadium the “shade side,” with the east side and the end zones being the sunniest.

The graphic below shows the approximate location of the sun throughout the day on September 1st.

Click or tap to see a seating chart for the next event at Acrisure Stadium

Seats in the Sun and Shade at Early Afternoon Acrisure Stadium Games

Shade is relatively limited for an early day Steelers or Panthers game. At this hour, the sun is positioned above and behind the south end zone. To allow for amazing skyline views, Acrisure Stadium is asymmetrical with relatively limited seating behind the south end zone. That said, sections 145-152 benefit from the fact that the video board blocks the sun from behind, making these a decent choice for early day shade.

The upper 500-level has a canopy roof spanning both sidelines, which provides shade and protection from the elements for fans in the nosebleeds. Shade-seeking fans should prefer the west (home) side of the stadium. Over the course of a day game, shade will cover seats from highest to lowest and from back to front. The back rows of sections 528-541 will become shaded first, followed by rows in the front of those sections. Next, shade will reach sections 229-240, and finally, 129-141 will become shaded last before the shadow of the stands begins to cross over the field of play.

Seats on the east (visitor’s) side of the stadium will largely remain in the sun for the majority of an early afternoon game. Sections 106-115, 205-216, and 504-517 will be mostly sun-soaked unless it’s a cloudy day. The back fifteen or so rows in the 500-level are covered and may even start the game in the shade, but as the sun rotates around the stadium, many seats that start shaded will move into the path of the sun.

By mid-afternoon seats on the west side of the stadium (right) are shaded while those on the east side (left) are in the sun.
Daniel M. Silva / Shutterstock.com

Seats in the Sun and Shade at Late Afternoon Games at Acrisure Stadium

When a game or event kicks off after 4:00 PM, it’s much easier to find a seat in the shade. For late-day events, most seats on the west (home) side of the field, as well as those behind the end zones, will be shaded for most or all of the event.

On the east (visitor’s) side, shade will start to reach the seats closest to the field first and then move upward. It will first reach the 100-level, followed by the 200-level, the suites, and finally the upper 500-level. Be cautious when choosing a seat on the east side of the stadium if you’re sensitive to the sun; you will be facing directly into the sun for at least part of the game.

Ready to Get Your Steelers or Panthers Tickets?

Use the individual game links or click or tap here to see an upcoming list of games at Acrisure Stadium.