Pittsburgh’s Sports & Exhibition Authority board approved more than $10M in venue upgrades for the city’s three major sports teams as “they, and the rest of the city’s tourism industry, prepare for major influxes of visitors” during the 2025 U.S. Open and the 2026 NFL Draft, according to Adam Babetski of the PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE. The Steelers are spending an estimated $7M to refurbish the Wi-Fi network at Acrisure Stadium, which was installed in 2016 and has “exceeded its lifespan.” The Steelers are also spending $1.6M to “replace the planters around Acrisure Stadium with bollards, or short metal poles that stop vehicles from colliding with buildings.” Both projects are scheduled to be “completed before next season.” The Penguins are working with Comcast to upgrade the Wi-Fi system at PPG Paints Arena, with the SEA “providing as much as” $2.3M in reimbursements that will be funded by the PPG Paint Arena Capital Reserve Fund and other multi-facility reserve funds operated by SEA. The SEA approved a “total of up to” $139,778 in reimbursements for the Pirates to “replace the ADA seats, bullpen benches and the carpet and a door in the visiting clubhouse” at PNC Park. The board approved an additional $96,106 for the Pirates to make “upgrades to PNC Park’s sound room, clubhouse and club level.” All of the reimbursements are “funded through surcharges” on PNC Park tickets (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 2/13).
Pittsburgh’s SEA approves venue upgrades for Steelers, Pirates, Penguins ahead of major events
