Highmark Stadium (Pennsylvania)

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Highmark Stadium
Highmark Stadium logo.png
Highmark Stadium 2019.jpg
The field from upper-level seating in 2019
Location map Pittsburgh 2018.png
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Highmark Stadium
Location near Downtown Pittsburgh
USA Pennsylvania relief location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Highmark Stadium
Location in Pennsylvania
Usa edcp relief location map.png
Red pog.svg
Highmark Stadium
Location in the United States
Location Station Square,
510 West Station Square Drive
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219
Coordinates 40°26′10″N80°0′34″W / 40.43611°N 80.00944°W / 40.43611; -80.00944
Public transit Pittsburgh Light Rail (logo).svg Station Square
OwnerTerry "Tuffy" Shallenberger
(majority)
Operator Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
Type Soccer-specific stadium
Capacity 3,500 (2013–2018)
5,000 (2018–present)
Record attendance6,107 (May 24, 2023) [1]
Field size110 m × 70 m (360 ft × 230 ft)
Surface FIFA 2-Star Certified hybrid-turf [2]
Construction
Broke ground June 25, 2012 [3]
OpenedApril 13, 2013;12 years ago (April 13, 2013)
Renovated2018
Construction cost $10.2 million
ArchitectThenDesign Architecture, Inc. [4]
Project managerMillcraft Industries, Inc. [4]
Structural engineerAlber & Rice, Inc. [5]
General contractorNello Construction [4]
Tenants
Website
highmarkstadium.com

Highmark Stadium is a 5,000-seat soccer-specific stadium in Pittsburgh's Station Square which is home to Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC of the USL Championship, Pittsburgh Riveters SC of the USL W League, and the Pittsburgh Thunderbirds of the Ultimate Frisbee Association (UFA). The stadium was also home to the Pittsburgh Rebellion women'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 demolition and excavation of the former Trib 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 is FIFA 2-star certified artificial 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, and Gillette Stadium, all of which house Major League Soccer franchises. [8] [9] [10]

Contents

On August 1, 2015, the supporters' section was renamed the Paul Child Stand in honor of Pittsburgh soccer legend Paul Child. [11] About Highmark Stadium, Benjamin Zand of the BBC once said it is "[...]probably the most beautiful stadium I've ever seen." [12] Highmark Stadium is notable for its picturesque albeit unusual layout, with the Monongahela River near the field. As a result, during daytime broadcasts of Riverhound matches, the river serves as a backdrop for the action on the field.

History

Highmark Stadium as seen from Mount Washington Highmark Stadium from Mount Washington.jpg
Highmark Stadium as seen from Mount Washington

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 July 13, 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 July 9, 2008, Dan Onorato, Chief Executive of Allegheny County, announced a planned development of a 78-acre (320,000 m2) sports and recreation park that covers area near Pittsburgh in Coraopolis, Robinson, and Moon known 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 the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad and had been declared a brownfield. [14] The proposed uses for the park included soccer pitches as well as other multipurpose team sports fields such as rugby and lacrosse. Many believed that the team would build a stadium around one of the fields, which would likely become the permanent home for the Hounds. However, these plans never materialized.


Despite speculation and previous attempts to build a permanent home for the Riverhounds at other locations, the club revealed on December 8, 2011, that it could build a stadium at Station Square on the site of the current amphitheater near downtown Pittsburgh as part of a redevelopment project. However, the proposed redevelopment lacked a set timeline at the time. [16]

Construction

On January 10, 2012, officials announced that they would begin construction and complete the stadium by the summer of 2012. The stadium was financed with an estimated $7 million by private investors in addition to several corporate sponsors, including Highmark, who hold naming rights for the stadium. The club also announced that, while the stadium would be soccer specific, it would host other sporting and non-sporting events, including the home games of the Pittsburgh Passion. [17] Riverhounds CEO Jason Kutney has also said that the stadium will allow the Riverhounds to explore hosting soccer teams from Europe and elsewhere to play friendlies as well as the possibility of bringing women's professional soccer to Pittsburgh. [2]

Officials scheduled construction of the stadium to begin in late March or early April 2012, with completion expected during the summer of 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 April 13, 2013, to a sold-out crowd, several months after the anticipated opening date. [19] [20] Naming rights for the stadium were purchased by Pittsburgh-based health insurance company Highmark and the stadium was subsequently named Highmark Stadium. Once completed, the Riverhounds became only the third USL Pro team to have their own soccer-specific stadium, along with the Charleston Battery (Blackbaud Stadium) and the Rochester 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, Pennsylvania, served as Highmark Stadium's general contractor. [4] The architect of record is Ohio-based ThenDesign Architecture. [4]

Sports events

Main stand Highmark Stadium Main Stand.jpg
Main stand

In addition to soccer matches, the stadium was home to the Pittsburgh Rebellion of the Legends Football League for 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 of the 6A powerhouse Central Catholic Vikings football team.

Highmark Stadium was the host site for 2023 Premier Rugby Sevens Eastern Conference Finals, the first professional rugby event in Pittsburgh's history. [21]

On July 21, 2025, Highmark Stadium hosted Turf Wars II, the first boxing event in the venue's history. [22]

Expansion

Night view Hghmark Stadium-Trib Gate.jpg
Night view

2018 expansion

To meet USSF Division II requirements, Highmark Stadium began an expansion effort to add 1,000 seats, meeting the minimum required capacity of 5,000. [23] The project is anticipated to be completed ahead of the 2019 season.

2028 expansion

On August 19, 2025, the Riverhounds announced a planned expansion that would bring Highmark Stadium's capacity to 15,000. This, among other alterations, would bring the stadium in line with USSF Division I requirements, following the United Soccer League's announcement of a planned Division I league earlier that year. The expansion is expected to be complete by 2028. [24]

Home opener

Although 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 the Harrisburg City Islanders. [19] [25]

Final score Pittsburgh Riverhounds 1 – 2 Harrisburg City Islanders
Opening Day Attendance4,000^
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 SubstitutionTom Brandt for Andrew Welker (Harrisburg City Islanders) (9')
First Yellow Card Kevin Kerr (Pittsburgh Riverhounds) (61')
First Red CardNone

Attendance

LeagueSeasonAverage attendance
USL Pro 2013 3,273 [26]
2014 2,686 [27]
USL 2015 2,630 [26]
2016 2,494 [26]
2017 2,639 [28]
2018 2,401 [29]
USL Championship 2019 3,729 [30]
2020 N/A
2021 3,132
2022 3,934
2023 5,073 [31]
2024 5,048 [32]

Largest soccer attendance

RankDateAttendanceHome TeamOpponentWin/Loss/DrawNotes
1May 24, 20236,107 Riverhounds Columbus Crew W 2023 U.S. Open Cup - Round of 16
June 24, 2023Riverhounds San Diego Loyal SC W
2April 27, 20246,099Riverhounds Detroit City FC W
3May 16, 20256,077 Riveters Cleveland Force SCDRiveters' debut Match
4November 2, 20196,073Riverhounds Louisville City FC L 2019 USL Championship Playoffs - Semifinals
5September 30, 20236,045Riverhounds FC Tulsa W
6June 27, 20255,751Riveters Steel City FC W
7October 27, 20195,627Riverhounds Birmingham Legion FC W 2019 USL Championship Playoffs - Quarterfinals
8July 4, 20255,626Riverhounds New Mexico United W
9September 23, 20235,610Riverhounds New Mexico United W
10September 9, 20235,512Riverhounds Loudoun United FC W

Events

Concerts

The first concert at the stadium was The Steve Miller Band featuring Don Felder of The Eagles in July 2015. [33]

DatePerformer(s)
July 11, 2015 The Steve Miller Band
June 5, 2019 Sammy Hagar
September 27, 2019 Toby Keith

References

  1. "Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC vs Louisville City FC". uslchampionship.com. USL Championship. November 2, 2019. Retrieved November 9, 2019.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Price, Karen (January 11, 2012). "Plenty Unique About Riverhounds' Station Square Digs". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review . Retrieved January 11, 2012.
  3. "About Highmark Stadium". Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Retrieved February 3, 2012.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Jones, Rachel (December 1, 2012). "Home Field Advantage: Pittsburgh Riverhounds". WHIRL Magazine . Retrieved April 19, 2013.
  5. "Pittsburgh Riverhounds Highmark Soccer Stadium". Alber & Rice, Inc. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  6. 1 2 Gomes, Pedro (April 18, 2013). "USL Pro Spotlight: Week 4". MLS Reserves. Retrieved April 18, 2013.
  7. "Highmark Earns Top Marks". USL Pro. April 24, 2013. Archived from the original on February 20, 2014. Retrieved April 24, 2013.
  8. "JELD-WEN Field's FieldTurf Surface Earns Third FIFA 2-Star Certification". Portland Timbers. March 28, 2013. Archived from the original on March 30, 2013. Retrieved April 24, 2013.
  9. "Gillette Stadium's FieldTurf Surface Earns FIFA 2-Star Certification". PR Web. July 29, 2010. Archived from the original on August 7, 2010. Retrieved April 24, 2013.
  10. Krysinky, John. "VINCENT HAT TRICK HELPS HOUNDS END THREE-GAME SKID". Pittsburgh Soccer Report. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
  11. Zand, Benjamin. "Football in the USA: Why Americans don't like relegation". BBC News. Retrieved December 23, 2014.
  12. Zeise, Paul (July 12, 2007). "Riverhounds Kick Up Ante". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . Retrieved January 11, 2012.
  13. 1 2 Rujumba, Karamagi (July 9, 2008). "County Unveils Plan for Sports Complex". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . Retrieved January 11, 2012.
  14. Pfister, Bonnie (July 9, 2008). "Private Donations Sought for Sports Complex". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review . Archived from the original on July 10, 2008. Retrieved July 9, 2008.
  15. Rudish-Laning, Robyn (December 8, 2011). "Pittsburgh's Station Square Looking to Receive Upgrades". The Duquesne Duke. Duquesne University. Retrieved December 8, 2011.
  16. "Pittsburgh Riverhounds Soccer Club Unveils Plans for New Stadium in Station Square". Pittsburgh Riverhounds. January 10, 2012. Archived from the original on July 19, 2012. Retrieved January 10, 2012.
  17. Farmer, Douglas (July 27, 2012). "Highmark Stadium Continues to Develop". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . Retrieved August 6, 2012.
  18. 1 2 "City Islanders Rally Past Riverhounds". USL Pro. April 14, 2013. Archived from the original on February 20, 2014. Retrieved April 14, 2013.
  19. "Home Opener Set for Pittsburgh Riverhounds Inaugural Season at Highmark Stadium". Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Archived from the original on February 14, 2013. Retrieved March 16, 2013.
  20. "Premier Rugby Sevens' Expanded 2023 Season Leads to Record-Breaking Results" . Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  21. "Turf Warrs II connects as a big hit at Highmark" . Retrieved July 24, 2025.
  22. Omari Sankofa II (October 19, 2017). "Highmark Stadium to add 1,000 seats to meet U.S. Soccer requirements". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
  23. Ingram, Sheldon (August 19, 2025). "Big expansion planned for Highmark Stadium at Pittsburgh's Station Square". WTAE. Retrieved August 20, 2025.
  24. "Harrisburg City Islanders at Pittsburgh Riverhounds 2:1". USL Pro. April 14, 2013. Archived from the original on June 16, 2013. Retrieved April 14, 2013.
  25. 1 2 3 "Attendance Project: Div. III". kenn.com. Retrieved March 31, 2015.
  26. "2014 Team Stats". USL. Archived from the original on March 29, 2015. Retrieved March 31, 2015.
  27. "2017 USL Attendance". Soccer Stadium Digest. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
  28. "2018 USL Attendance".
  29. "2019 USL Championship Attendance".
  30. "2023 USL Championship Attendance".
  31. https://www.worldfootball.net/attendance/usa-usl-championship-2024/1/
  32. Mervis, Scott. "Steve Miller Band show rescheduled for July 11". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved July 4, 2015.
Events and tenants
Preceded by Home of the
Pittsburgh Riverhounds

2012–present
Succeeded by
Current