Pitt will welcome 5,500 spectators inside Heinz Field for final 2 home games
Spectators are returning to Heinz Field for Pitt games, too.
Following the lead of the Pittsburgh Steelers, who welcomed people inside for the first time last Sunday, Pitt officials announced Thursday approximately 5,500 fans can attend each of the final two home games — Notre Dame on Oct. 24, and Virginia Tech on Nov. 21. Capacity at Heinz Field is 68,400.
So, who will be the chosen 5,500?
First priority for lower bowl and club seats will go to season-ticket holders who chose — when the ban was first announced — to transfer the cost and/or Scholarship Seating Membership to the Panther Club booster group.
Next will be those people who chose to roll over the cost to the 2021 season.
Remaining seats will go to those who requested a refund and non-season-ticket holders who are Panther Club members.
Pitt also will accommodate approximately 1,000 students, including the Pitt Band and spirit squads. Student Panther Club members will have the first opportunity to purchase tickets.
Overall, Heinz Field will be limited to a total of 7,500 people, including players, coaches, staff and stadium personnel, according to the guidelines instituted by Gov. Tom Wolf.
Spectators must wear masks and abide by social distancing protocols. Tailgating outside the stadium will not be permitted.
Coach Pat Narduzzi was hoping to have fans at Pitt’s most recent home game Oct. 3, but officials waited until the Steelers played Oct. 11 to open up Heinz Field.
“Our kids, I know, were disappointed not to have them out a couple weeks ago,” he said, “and then three days later, we’re allowed to have them.”
Actually, he is more concerned with the possibility of pumped-in music Saturday when Pitt visits Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, where officials are expecting as many as 13,000 spectators in the 64,767-capacity venue.
“I’m worried about the crowd and some of the pumped-in music that we’ll have down there,” he said. “I just hope it goes both ways, as far as the sound when on we’re offense and they’re on offense.”
Apparently, all he has to do is ask.
In the Hurricanes’ opener, UAB asked to shut off the piped-in sound, and Miami officials complied.
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Jerry DiPaola is a TribLive reporter covering Pitt athletics since 2011. A Pittsburgh native, he joined the Trib in 1993, first as a copy editor and page designer in the sports department and later as the Pittsburgh Steelers reporter from 1994-2004. He can be reached at jdipaola@triblive.com.
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