ESPN’s 'College GameDay' brings buzz to Pitt–Notre Dame showdown

Fans packed into Pittsburgh’s North Shore on Saturday morning, turning the riverfront into a roaring sea of blue, gold and homemade signs as ESPN’s “College GameDay” fired up its broadcast ahead of the Pitt–Notre Dame showdown at Acrisure Stadium.

Music blasted, the Pitt marching band rallied into formation and crowds erupted as host and Plum native Pat McAfee opened the show at 9 a.m. outside of the stadium.

“Welcome to beautiful Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,” McAfee said. ”Everybody’s who’s from here is proud from being from here. Shout out to Pittsburgh, shout out to Pitt.”

Pittsburgh’s North Shore is hopping. ESPN’s “College GameDay” is here ahead of the Pitt-Notre Dame showdown at Acrisure Stadium @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/pfBssNmbVU

— Megan Swift (@mgswift7) November 15, 2025

Pitt Band is outside Acrisure @TribLIVE @CollegeGameDay pic.twitter.com/oaFJbmu8bA

— Megan Swift (@mgswift7) November 15, 2025

Students in bright orange Home Depot hard hats packed against the stage railings, shouting and waving homemade signs. Some lined up Friday afternoon and camped out overnight to secure a prime viewing spot on the Great Lawn outside Acrisure Stadium.

Welcome to BEAUTIFUL Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania..

This is a TOUGH TAHN

This is a BLUE COLLAR TAHN

This is a DAMN GOOD SPORTS TAHN#CollegeGameDay pic.twitter.com/kG7J9ndlNW

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 15, 2025

“Sweet Caroline” was a crowd pleaser at @CollegeGameDay @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/i8TDKkfcaD

— Megan Swift (@mgswift7) November 15, 2025

Pitt freshman Max Weinbrecht was selected to participate in ESPN personality and Plum native Pat McAfee’s Kicking Contest — with $1 million on the line.

Weinbrecht said he had never tried a field goal before, only played soccer in pickup games at home in Kingston, Pa., and was wearing soccer cleats that he had borrowed from someone in the crowd. He missed.

McAfee gave him a second try, upping the ante to $2 million, with a same result.

@triblive Three misses here in Pittsburgh for Pat McAfee’s Kicking Contest — with $1 milllion on the line. This is a video of the second and third attempts ???? #gameday #patmcafee #pittsburgh #espn #football ♬ original sound - TribLive

University of Pittsburgh senior Maggie Galvin took it all in.

“It’s very memorable, once in a lifetime,” said Galvin, 22, of Pottstown. ”I’ve never seen it like this. This is an exciting opportunity for Pitt to experience such a big game.”

She and her roommates went to GameDay in a group, as Saturday’s matchup is the last one they will attend together before graduating. Pitt’s final home game will be during Thanksgiving break for the university.

“I’m seeing people of all ages,” Galvin, who is majoring in digital media at Pitt, said of Saturday morning’s crowd. “I know alumni that have come into town for this weekend.”

Shuttles started running from campus to the North Shore at 5 a.m., according to a Pitt email that Galvin received. She opted to take the T.

Through the Pitt Sports app, she found out Saturday’s game was sold out.

“Normally, we do get a good attendance for the game, but we’re in an NFL stadium, so most of the time, it doesn’t feel full,” Galvin said. “To have an NFL stadium sold out is surreal.”

Oftentimes, Pitt fans don’t even go into the stadium — opting to tailgate and go to North Shore’s bars, according to Galvin.

She said she saw online via The Panther Pitt on Instagram and Pitt Barstool’s account that fans began lining up around 2 p.m. Friday for GameDay. Some camped out in tents as well.

And at 5 a.m. Saturday morning, 1,000 wristbands were handed out to fans guaranteeing them lower bowl tickets inside Acrisure.

“It’s exciting because we’re not necessarily a football school compared to the Big Tens,” Galvin said.

Diehard Notre Dame fan Marc Krigstein joined in the festivities. He and family members arrived at the Great Lawn around 7:30 a.m. They paid $2,200 for a weekend Airbnb nearby.

“It’s been fantastic so far,” he said. “The backdrop is fantastic. It’s just a cool city — really good vibes.”

a perfect Pittsburgh gameday ????️ pic.twitter.com/cVjNg1QAPL

— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) November 15, 2025

Traveling to Pittsburgh to see Notre Dame play ball was more convenient than traveling to South Bend, Ind. for Krigstein, 49, of Garnet Valley in Eastern Pennsylvania, and his family.

“The proximity was super convenient for us,” he said. “It’s hard to find a game as close to home — saves hours driving out.”

Krigstein said he experienced a lot of camaraderie at around the stadium and at GameDay.

“I’m surprised at how few Notre Dame fans I’ve seen,” he said.

While in Pittsburgh this weekend, Krigstein said he hopes to experience the town.

“(It) feels like I’m on a college campus even though I’m in a big city.”