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Upcoming Pittsburgh Pirates dates
Dates and live ticket listings appear here as soon as they are on sale. The guide below covers what to know before you buy.
The Pirates in brief: five titles and a Hall of Fame lineage
The Pittsburgh Pirates play home games at PNC Park on Pittsburgh's North Shore, from late March or early April through late September. The franchise began in 1882 as the Allegheny Base Ball Club in the American Association, joined the National League in 1887 and has played in the NL Central since 1994.
Pittsburgh has won five World Series: 1909, 1925, 1960, 1971 and 1979. Its nine NL pennants came in 1901, 1902, 1903, 1909, 1925, 1927, 1960, 1971 and 1979, and it won nine NL East titles between 1970 and 1992.
- Honus Wagner: the Hall of Fame shortstop who defined the early franchise.
- Roberto Clemente: the first Latin American player enshrined in the Hall of Fame; the 21-foot right field wall at PNC Park honors his number.
- Willie Stargell: the leader of the 1979 champions.
- Bill Mazeroski: his home run ended Game 7 of the 1960 World Series, the only Game 7 ever decided that way.
- Retired numbers: 1, 4, 8, 9, 11, 20, 21, 33 and 40, plus Jackie Robinson's 42.
- Rivals: the cross-state Philadelphia Phillies and the Cincinnati Reds.
Where to sit at PNC Park for a Pirates game
PNC Park is a two-deck ballpark, the first built in the United States since 1953, with the suites tucked under the upper deck. That design keeps the upper level unusually close to the field; the Pirates say the highest seat is 88 feet from it. Wikipedia lists capacity at 38,747, while Ballpark E-Guides cites 38,362 as of 2023.
The dugouts and the skyline side
The Pirates dugout is on the third base side, placed there to give the home side the best view of the downtown skyline. That makes the third base side the seat to pick if the view of the city, the Allegheny River and the Roberto Clemente Bridge is part of why you are going. Ballpark E-Guides notes that the third base side sells out first on fireworks nights.
Field level
The Home Plate Club seats directly behind the plate are the premium tier, with Dugout Box seats on either side. In sections directly behind the dugouts, the first seven or so rows are skipped, so Row H sits right at the dugout roof. Foul territory is small, so mid-priced Infield Box seats are still close to the action, and overhangs are rarely a problem even in the back rows of the lower deck. Rows are lettered, there is no Row I, and seat 1 is on the right as you face the field.
Upper level and outfield
- Upper level value: nearly every upper deck seat has a city view, and the Grandstand seats are among the best values in baseball for the sightline you get.
- Landings and poles: glass stairway landings sit between the club and Grandstand seats in sections such as 313 and 315, and press-box supports stand behind sections 315 to 317. Avoid low-numbered seats in rows H to K on the third base side and high-numbered seats in those rows on the first base side.
- Right field: the seats sit above the 21-foot wall and face away from the skyline.
- Left field bleachers: reserved metal benches with backs, a good spot for batting practice home runs, with general admission bleacher space behind them.
Sun and shade at PNC Park
Home plate sits in the northwest corner of PNC Park, which turns the usual ballpark pattern around. The setting sun shines into the left field stands and the third base side during evening games, so the skyline seats come with glare in the early innings.
- Most direct sun: the outfield reserved seats in right and center field, which bake on a hot afternoon.
- Shade: rows Q and higher in the upper deck are under the roof.
- Rain cover: the club concourse and the indoor clubs are the main shelter during a delay.
Pittsburgh springs and Septembers can be chilly at night, so a layer is worth carrying for April and late-season games.
The schedule and the Pirates games in highest demand
Each MLB team plays 162 regular-season games, 81 at home. Spring training runs in February and March at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Florida, the Pirates' spring home since 1969. The regular season runs from late March or early April through late September, with the All-Star break in mid-July. Under MLB's balanced schedule, adopted in 2023, Pittsburgh plays each NL Central rival 13 times.
- Opening Day: one of the best-attended dates of the year.
- Fireworks and giveaway nights: Friday and Saturday summer games with postgame fireworks draw the biggest crowds, and the third base side goes first.
- The Phillies: an in-state rivalry that brings plenty of Philadelphia fans across the state.
- Weekend series in June through August: the strongest demand of the regular season.
Weeknight games in April, May and September are usually the easiest tickets, and they are the best time to try premium seats such as the Pittsburgh Baseball Club, the padded 200-level club sections out to just past the bases.
Getting to PNC Park: the bridge, the T and the river
PNC Park sits at 115 Federal Street on the North Shore, across the Allegheny River from downtown.
- Walk across the bridge: the Roberto Clemente Bridge closes to vehicles on game days, so fans can park downtown and walk over. It is the classic way to arrive.
- Light rail: the T stops at North Side station, at the front of the ballpark; the Pirates note that T service is free in this area.
- Parking: the club encourages fans to arrive early or use downtown Pittsburgh Parking Authority garages and walk or ride in.
- By boat: Gateway Clipper riverboats run from Station Square to the outfield entrance, according to Ballpark E-Guides.
Acrisure Stadium, home of the Steelers, is a short walk down the North Shore, so game days that overlap can tighten parking.
Bag rules and gate times at PNC Park
As of the 2026 season, the Pirates list these entry rules:
- Bags: one soft-sided bag no larger than 16 by 16 by 8 inches; every bag is screened.
- Gates: open 90 minutes before most games; for 6:40 p.m. games Monday through Thursday, they open one hour before first pitch.
- Home Plate Club: opens two hours before game time.
Check the Pirates gameday guide for current policies before you go. Every GoodSeats order is backed by a 100% guarantee.
Pirates history and PNC Park milestones
The Pirates played at Forbes Field from 1909 to 1970 and at Three Rivers Stadium from 1970 to 2000 before PNC Park opened on March 31, 2001. Statues of Wagner, Clemente, Stargell and Mazeroski stand outside it.
- 1960: Mazeroski's walk-off home run beat the Yankees in Game 7.
- 1971: the Pirates fielded the first all-Black and Latino lineup in major league history and won the World Series.
- 1979: the "We Are Family" team won the title behind Stargell.
- 1993 to 2012: 20 straight losing seasons, an MLB record.
- 2006: PNC Park hosted the MLB All-Star Game.
- 2013 to 2015: three straight NL Wild Card Games at PNC Park, ending the postseason drought.
Schedules and promotions are on the Pirates official site.
Frequently asked questions
Where do the Pittsburgh Pirates play?
The Pirates play at PNC Park, 115 Federal Street on Pittsburgh's North Shore, along the Allegheny River. It opened in 2001.
Which side has the best view at PNC Park?
The third base side and the seats behind home plate look out at the downtown skyline and the Roberto Clemente Bridge. Right field and the outfield have the weakest city view.
Which dugout do the Pirates use?
The Pirates dugout is on the third base side, and the visitors use the first base side. Confirm with the map attached to your listing.
Where is the shade at PNC Park?
Rows Q and higher in the upper deck are under the roof. The setting sun shines into the third base side and left field during evening games, and the right and center field seats get the most afternoon sun.
What is the PNC Park bag policy?
As of the 2026 season, fans may bring one soft-sided bag no larger than 16 by 16 by 8 inches. Check the team's current gameday guide before you go.
How many World Series have the Pirates won?
Five: 1909, 1925, 1960, 1971 and 1979.