Highmark Stadiumis a 5,000-seatsoccer-specific stadiuminPittsburgh'sStation Squarewhich is home toPittsburgh Riverhounds SCof theUSL Championshipand thePittsburgh Thunderbirdsof theAmerican Ultimate Disc League.The stadium was also home to thePittsburgh Rebellionwomen's football team for 2017. Three local colleges use the stadium for soccer, lacrosse and rugby, and six different local high schools will use the field for soccer and lacrosse.[6]The $10.2 million project began with the demolishing and excavating of the formerTrib Total Media Amphitheatre,building foundations for the scoreboard, light poles and grading foundations for the grandstands as well as the installation of underground utilities. The field surface isFIFA2-star certifiedartificial turf,the highest rating that an artificial surface can achieve, one of only six fields in the country to earn that rating.[6][7]Other fields to earn this rating in the United States include:Providence Park,CenturyLink Field,andGillette Stadium,all of which houseMajor League Soccerfranchises.[8][9][10]
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 The field from upper-level seating in 2019 | |
  Highmark Stadium Location near Downtown Pittsburgh  Highmark Stadium Location in Pennsylvania  Highmark Stadium Location in the United States | |
| Location | Station Square, 510 West Station Square Drive Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania15219 |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 40°26′10″N80°0′34″W/ 40.43611°N 80.00944°W |
| Public transit |  Station Square |
| Owner | Terry "Tuffy" Shallenberger (majority) |
| Operator | Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC |
| Type | Soccer-specific stadium |
| Capacity | 3,500 (2013–2018) 5,000 (2018–present) |
| Record attendance | 6,107(May 24th, 2023)[1] |
| Field size | 110 m × 70 m (360 ft × 230 ft) |
| Surface | FIFA2-Star Certifiedhybrid-turf[2] |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | June 25, 2012[3] |
| Opened | April 13, 2013 |
| Renovated | 2018 |
| Construction cost | $10.2 million |
| Architect | ThenDesign Architecture, Inc.[4] |
| Project manager | Millcraft Industries, Inc.[4] |
| Structural engineer | Alber & Rice, Inc.[5] |
| General contractor | Nello Construction[4] |
| Tenants | |
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| Website | |
| highmarkstadium | |
On August 1, 2015, the supporters' section was renamed the Paul Child Stand in honor of Pittsburgh soccer legendPaul Child.[11] About Highmark Stadium, Benjamin Zand of theBBConce said it is "[...]probably the most beautiful stadium I've ever seen."[12]Highmark Stadium is notable for its picturesque albeit unusual layout, with theMonongahela Riverin close proximity to the field. As a result, during daytime broadcasts of Riverhound matches, the river serves as a backdrop for the action on the field.
History
edit
Since the team's creation, there had been no official announcement concerning a permanent home for the Hounds, but much had been speculated since GM and manager Gene Klein, on 13 July 2007, said that the Riverhounds "are to the point on the stadium complex where it is a matter of paperwork and it will get done. We hope to make an official announcement on it...but like everything else, we'll walk with it before we try and run. We are doing things the right way."[13]On 9 July 2008,Dan Onorato,Chief ExecutiveofAllegheny County,announced a planned development of a 78-acre (320,000 m2) sports and recreation park that covers area near Pittsburgh inCoraopolis,Robinson,andMoonknown as Montour Junction.[14]The land was donated to the county's Redevelopment Authority by the Sports Legacy Foundation, which is chaired by Riverhounds founder and former owner Paul Heasley.[15]The SLF had owned the land since 2002 and had already spent about $60k for the environmental cleanup of the land, which was once owned by thePittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroadand had been declared abrownfield.[14]The proposed uses for the park included soccer pitches as well as other multipurpose team sports fields such as rugby and lacrosse. It was believed by many that a stadium would be built around one of the fields and that it would likely become a permanent home for the Hounds. However, none of these earlier plans materialized.
Despite speculation and previous attempts to build a permanent home for the Riverhounds at other locations, on December 8, 2011, it was revealed that a stadium for the club could be built atStation Squareon the site of the current amphitheater close to downtown Pittsburgh as part of a redevelopment of the area. However, at the time there was no timeline set for the proposed redevelopment.[16]
Construction
editOn January 10, 2012, an official announcement was made that the construction would begin and that the stadium would be completed by summer 2012. The stadium was financed with an estimated $7 million by private investors in addition to several corporate sponsors includingHighmarkwho holdnaming rightsfor the stadium. It was also announced that although it will be asoccer-specific stadium,other sporting and non-sporting events will be held at the stadium, including the home games of thePittsburgh Passion.[17]RiverhoundsCEOJason Kutneyhas also said that the stadium will allow the Riverhounds to explore hosting soccer teams fromEuropeand elsewhere to playfriendliesas well as the possibility of bringing women's professional soccer to Pittsburgh.[2]
Construction of the stadium was scheduled to begin in late March to early April 2012 and to be completed during summer 2012.[2]However, construction at the site began in August, several months behind schedule, and the stadium's opening was scheduled for fall 2012 maybe as soon as late September.[18]The first Riverhounds match at the stadium was played on 13 April 2013 to a sold-out crowd, several months after the anticipated opening date.[19][20]Naming rights for the stadium were purchased byPittsburgh-based health insurance companyHighmarkand the stadium was subsequently named Highmark Stadium. Once completed, the Riverhounds became only the thirdUSL Proteam to have their ownsoccer-specific stadium,along with theCharleston Battery(Blackbaud Stadium) and theRochester Rhinos(Sahlen's Stadium).[2]
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based Millcraft Industries, Inc. coordinated construction activities for the multi-sport and entertainment facility, while Nello Construction, headquartered in Carnegie, PA, served as Highmark Stadium's general contractor.[4]The architect of record is Ohio-based ThenDesign Architecture.[4]
Sports events
edit
In addition to soccer matches, the stadium was home to the Pittsburgh Rebellion of theLegends Football Leaguefor their inaugural season in 2017, as well as tournaments for soccer, football, lacrosse, rugby, and softball, and non-sporting events. The venue also accommodates concerts, cultural fairs, and special events. There are also plans to incorporate outdoor ice rinks during the winter months for public skate hours and amateur hockey games. It is also known for being the home stadium for the 6A Powerhouse Central Catholic Vikings football.
Stadium layout
editThere are 4 gates in Highmark Stadium: the Trib Total Media Gate, the North Gate, the South Gate, and the (#)1 Cochran Gate located in MLP
Expansion
edit
Although the originalseating capacitywas 3,400 plus 15 suites for 12 people and approximately 400Standing-room onlyplaces, the stadium is expandable vertically on three sides in excess of 18,000 fans, the average attendance ofMajor League Soccer,making the stadium capable of housing the Riverhounds as they seek to join MLS within a decade.[21]Less than a week after the first league Riverhounds match at the stadium, club officials described three phases of expansion that could be made to the stadium.[6]
Phase 1 Phase 1 includes making the supporters section a permanent grandstand and adding more seating to that area of the stadium which could add about another 2,000 seats. That would bring total capacity to about 6,000.
Phase 2 Phase 2 involves wrapping the grandstands and creating seating in the corners of stadium and creating more seating near the East End. This phase could add about another 1,000 and would be based upon demand.
Phase 3 Phase 3 would be the phase in which the greatest increase in seating occurs. It includes building a second tier of seating over the current grandstand. This would require extensive planning and coordination with the city because it would require building over the roadway. This phase could bring the totalseating capacityto slightly over 10,000 and would, like phase 2, be based upon demand.
2018 Expansion
editIn an effort to meetUSSFDivision II requirements, Highmark Stadium began an expansion effort to add 1,000 seats; meeting the minimum required capacity of 5,000.[22]The project is anticipated to be completed ahead of the2019 season.
2024 expansion proposal
editIn March 2024, a proposed expansion of Highmark Stadium was announced that would increase capacity to between 13,500 and 15,000.[23]Similar to the original plans announced in 2013, this expansion would be completed in three phases over the course of several years, with Phase 1 beginning after the conclusion of the2024 USL Championship season.
Home opener
editAlthough several warm-up matches and other non-soccer events were held at the stadium previously, the first official Riverhounds match took place on April 13, 2013, against theHarrisburg City Islanders.[19][24]
| Final score | Pittsburgh Riverhounds1 – 2Harrisburg City Islanders |
|---|---|
| Opening Day Attendance | 4,000^ |
| First Goal | José Angulo(Pittsburgh Riverhounds) (70') |
| Other Goals | Sainey Touray(78'),Lucky Mkosana(90') (Harrisburg City Islanders) |
| First Assist | Matthew Dallman(Pittsburgh Riverhounds) (70') |
| First Substitution | Tom BrandtforAndrew Welker(Harrisburg City Islanders) (9') |
| First Yellow Card | Kevin Kerr(Pittsburgh Riverhounds) (61') |
| First Red Card | None |
- ^ Sell-out crowd
Attendance
edit| League | Season | Average attendance |
|---|---|---|
| USL Pro | 2013 | 3,273[25] |
| 2014 | 2,686[26] | |
| USL | 2015 | 2,630[25] |
| 2016 | 2,494[25] | |
| 2017 | 2,639[27] | |
| 2018 | 2,401[28] | |
| USL Championship | 2019 | 3,729[29] |
| 2020 | N/A | |
| 2021 | 3,132 | |
| 2022 | 3,934 | |
| 2023 | 5,073[30] |
Largest soccer attendance
edit| Rank | Date | Attendance | Opponent | Win/Loss/Draw | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 24, 2023 | 6,107 | Columbus Crew | W | 2023 U.S. Open Cup-Round of 16 |
| June 24, 2023 | San Diego Loyal SC | W | |||
| 2 | April 27, 2024 | 6,099 | Detroit City FC | W | |
| 3 | November 2, 2019 | 6,073 | Louisville City FC | L | 2019 USL Championship Playoffs-Semifinals |
| 4 | September 30, 2023 | 6,045 | FC Tulsa | W | |
| 5 | October 27, 2019 | 5,627 | Birmingham Legion FC | W | 2019 USL Championship Playoffs-Quarterfinals |
| 6 | September 23, 2023 | 5,610 | New Mexico United | W | |
| 7 | September 9, 2023 | 5,512 | Loudoun United FC | W | |
| 8 | August 5, 2023 | 5,490 | Tampa Bay Rowdies | W | |
| 9 | July 29, 2023 | 5,466 | Memphis 901 FC | W | |
| 10 | July 8, 2023 | 5,278 | Sacramento Republic FC | W |
Events
editConcerts
editThe first concert at the stadium wasThe Steve Miller Bandfeaturing Don Felder ofThe Eaglesin July 2015.[31]
| Date | Performer(s) |
|---|---|
| July 11, 2015 | The Steve Miller Band |
| June 5, 2019 | Sammy Hagar |
| September 27, 2019 | Toby Keith |
Gallery
edit-
East entrance -
West entrance -
Side view -
View from club level
References
edit- ^"Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC vs Louisville City FC".uslchampionship.USL Championship. November 2, 2019.RetrievedNovember 9,2019.
- ^abcdPrice, Karen (January 11, 2012)."Plenty Unique About Riverhounds' Station Square Digs".Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.RetrievedJanuary 11,2012.
- ^"About Highmark Stadium".Pittsburgh Riverhounds.RetrievedFebruary 3,2012.
- ^abcdeJones, Rachel (December 1, 2012)."Home Field Advantage: Pittsburgh Riverhounds".WHIRL Magazine.RetrievedApril 19,2013.
- ^"Pittsburgh Riverhounds Highmark Soccer Stadium".Alber & Rice, Inc.RetrievedFebruary 3,2014.
- ^abcGomes, Pedro (April 18, 2013)."USL Pro Spotlight: Week 4".MLS Reserves.RetrievedApril 18,2013.
- ^"Highmark Earns Top Marks".USL Pro. April 24, 2013. Archived fromthe originalon February 20, 2014.RetrievedApril 24,2013.
- ^"JELD-WEN Field's FieldTurf Surface Earns Third FIFA 2-Star Certification".Portland Timbers. March 28, 2013. Archived fromthe originalon March 30, 2013.RetrievedApril 24,2013.
- ^"CenturyLink Field's New FieldTurf Surface Receives FIFA 2-Star Rating".Seattle Sounders FC. May 5, 2012.RetrievedApril 24,2013.
- ^"Gillette Stadium's FieldTurf Surface Earns FIFA 2-Star Certification".PR Web. July 29, 2010. Archived fromthe originalon August 7, 2010.RetrievedApril 24,2013.
- ^Krysinky, John."VINCENT HAT TRICK HELPS HOUNDS END THREE-GAME SKID".Pittsburgh Soccer Report.Retrieved4 August2015.
- ^Zand, Benjamin."Football in the USA: Why Americans don't like relegation".BBC News.Retrieved23 December2014.
- ^Zeise, Paul (July 12, 2007)."Riverhounds Kick Up Ante".Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.RetrievedJanuary 11,2012.
- ^abRujumba, Karamagi (July 9, 2008)."County Unveils Plan for Sports Complex".Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.RetrievedJanuary 11,2012.
- ^Pfister, Bonnie (July 9, 2008)."Private Donations Sought for Sports Complex".Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.Archived fromthe originalon July 10, 2008.RetrievedJuly 9,2008.
- ^Rudish-Laning, Robyn (December 8, 2011)."Pittsburgh's Station Square Looking to Receive Upgrades".The Duquesne Duke.Duquesne University.RetrievedDecember 8,2011.
- ^"Pittsburgh Riverhounds Soccer Club Unveils Plans for New Stadium in Station Square".Pittsburgh Riverhounds. January 10, 2012. Archived fromthe originalon July 19, 2012.RetrievedJanuary 10,2012.
- ^Farmer, Douglas (July 27, 2012)."Highmark Stadium Continues to Develop".Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.RetrievedAugust 6,2012.
- ^ab"City Islanders Rally Past Riverhounds".USL Pro. April 14, 2013. Archived fromthe originalon February 20, 2014.RetrievedApril 14,2013.
- ^"Home Opener Set for Pittsburgh Riverhounds Inaugural Season at Highmark Stadium".Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Archived fromthe originalon February 14, 2013.RetrievedMarch 16,2013.
- ^Kovacevic, Dejan (November 29, 2012)."Kovacevic: A Perfect Pitch to Lure MLS".Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.RetrievedNovember 30,2012.
- ^Omari Sankofa II (October 19, 2017)."Highmark Stadium to add 1,000 seats to meet U.S. Soccer requirements".Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.RetrievedJanuary 24,2018.
- ^Hoffman, Chris; Darnay, Mike (2024-03-14)."Riverhounds planning expansion project that would nearly triple capacity of Highmark Stadium - CBS Pittsburgh".cbsnews.Retrieved2024-10-25.
- ^"Harrisburg City Islanders at Pittsburgh Riverhounds 2:1".USL Pro. April 14, 2013. Archived fromthe originalon June 16, 2013.RetrievedApril 14,2013.
- ^abc"Attendance Project: Div. III".kenn.RetrievedMarch 31,2015.
- ^"2014 Team Stats".USL. Archived fromthe originalon March 29, 2015.RetrievedMarch 31,2015.
- ^"2017 USL Attendance".Soccer Stadium Digest.Retrieved17 February2018.
- ^"2018 USL Attendance".
- ^"2019 USL Championship Attendance".
- ^"2023 USL Championship Attendance".
- ^Mervis, Scott."Steve Miller Band show rescheduled for July 11".Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.Retrieved4 July2015.
External links
edit
| Events and tenants | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Home of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds 2012–present |
Succeeded by Current
|