Pitt, West Virginia announce 4-year extension of Backyard Brawl

One day before the 108th installment of the Backyard Brawl between Pitt and West Virginia, both schools announced an extension of the rivalry for four years from 2033-36.

Those four games will be split between Acrisure and Milan Puskar stadiums, with Pitt hosting WVU on Sept. 10, 2033, and Sept. 8, 2035.

The Mountaineers will host Sept. 9, 2034, and Sept. 13, 2036.

“The Backyard Brawl is more than a game: It’s history, passion and pride passed down through generations,” Pitt athletic director Allen Greene said in a statement. “Extending this rivalry ensures that student-athletes and fans alike continue to experience one of college football’s greatest traditions, and we couldn’t be more excited for what’s ahead.”

Added Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi: “I couldn’t be more thrilled for what this means for both Pitt and West Virginia. But this goes far beyond four more games and the 75 miles separating us. This paves the way for future Panthers to carry on the history of this rivalry, while current ones get to forge new legacies for years to come. This extension isn’t just for Pitt and West Virginia, but for college football fans everywhere.”

After the Panthers and Mountaineers complete Saturday’s contest in Morgantown, the series is set to enter a hiatus until 2029, with both teams’ nonconference schedules booked over the next three years.

That concludes a four-year restart of the series that began in 2022 and was originally put on hold after the 2011 meeting, when Pitt departed the Big East for the ACC and WVU joined the Big 12.

But on Sept. 8, 2029, the Backyard Brawl will recommence at Acrisure Stadium, returning to Pittsburgh again in 2031, with the Panthers visiting Morgantown in 2030 and 2032.

Friday’s announcement ensures eight consecutive Backyard Brawls from 2029-2036.

“It’s always a great day when you can extend one of the best rivalries in all of college sports,” WVU vice president and athletic director Wren Baker said in a statement. “I want to thank Pitt athletic director Allen Greene for his help in extending the Backyard Brawl, and there is no doubt that today’s announcement is a win for not only fans of the two universities but for all of college football.”

Judging by attendance, both schools’ efforts to play one another has been appreciated.

On Sept. 1, 2022, when Pitt and West Virginia played for the first time since 2011, a crowd of 70,622 piled into Acrisure Stadium to witness the Panthers’ come-from-behind, 38-31 win.

That remains the largest crowd ever assembled in Pittsburgh sporting event history.

In 2023, when Pitt returned to Morgantown for the first time since Nov. 25, 2011, 61,106 fans showed up.

Last year’s Backyard Brawl at Acrisure Stadium was another massive ticket-seller, as 66,087 fans attended.

Entering Saturday afternoon, Pitt holds a 63-41-3 lead in the all-time series, which dates to 1895.

“I think it’s one of the greatest rivalries in sports,” WVU coach Rich Rodriguez said. “Obviously, the location between the two are close. There’s a lot of intensity with it, and there never seems to be any love lost between the fan bases. It’s always, to me, the biggest game on your schedule when you’re at West Virginia.”