Heinz Field closed to Steelers, Pitt fans through September

If there are football games at Heinz Field next month, the seats will be empty.

The worst fears of Pittsburgh Steelers and Pitt football fans became harsh reality Thursday when season-ticket holders were informed fans will not be permitted inside the stadium throughout September.

The ban will include the first two Steelers home games (Sept. 20 against the Denver Broncos and Sept. 27 vs. the Houston Texans) and three Pitt games (Sept. 12, 19 and 26 against Austin Peay, Syracuse and Louisville).

There also will be no fans at the Steelers opener Sept. 14 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., vs. the New York Giants.

The Steelers and the University of Pittsburgh said they are following guidelines created by Pennsylvania and Allegheny County health officials to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus.

If capacity restrictions are lifted, Steelers and Pitt officials hope to allow fans inside Heinz Field at subsequent games this season.

Steelers officials said they will refund the cost of tickets to the first two games. The refund will be processed by the method used to make the payment.

“We will continue to work with public health officials as well as the NFL toward our goal of hosting fans later in the season,” the Steelers said in a statement.

Ticket-holders will have the opportunity to select seat locations on a game-by-game basis. Unused funds will remain as credit toward the 2021 season. Fans also can ask for a refund.

Pitt officials are offering season-ticket holders three options for their payments.

• Re-invest: Fans can transfer the ticket cost and/or Scholarship Seating Membership to the Panther Club. Membership to the Panther Club will include invitations to members-only virtual events, a “Cheer From Home Package” and priority access to single-game tickets if capacity restrictions are lifted.

• Rollover. Payments can be applied to tickets for the 2021 season, with similar access to single-game tickets this season.

• Refund. Season-ticket holders who request a refund will be eligible to renew their same seats for next season.

Pitt director of athletics Heather Lyke said in a statement: “Although we are disappointed for our loyal and passionate fans, the Panther Pitt student section and especially our student-athletes’ families and friends, the University of Pittsburgh respects and understands the guidelines set forth by state and county health officials. We will remain in communication with the appropriate agencies and continue to explore possible fan attendance — in each of our fall sports’ home venues — for contests beyond September.”