The Pittsburgh Pirates open their 2026 season at PNC Park Friday with a matchup against the Baltimore Orioles.
Continuing tradition, the first pitch is set for 4:12 p.m., a tribute to Pittsburgh’s 412 area code.
The Pirates started the season losing two of three games to the New York Mets and are tied in a three-game series with the Cincinnati Reds. Opening weekend against the Reds will be followed by a three-game series against the San Diego Padres for a six-game stretch.
According to the MLB website on Wednesday, single-game tickets for Friday’s home opener are available but extremely limited. The cost was $102-117 for the outfield reserve section and $109 for the lower level.
Fans who scan a digital ticket to enter PNC Park using the MLB Ballpark App will also unlock a digital offer courtesy of Giant Eagle myPerks, and receive 500 bonus perks when they spend $50 or more.
Here’s what to know if you’re heading to the North Shore.
Gates open at 2 p.m. with pregame ceremonies beginning at approximately 3:35 p.m. Fans are encouraged to be in their seats early.
Last season’s bag policy is unchanged. Each guest is permitted to bring one bag into the ballpark provided that it is soft-sided and 16” x 16” x 8” or smaller. All bags are subject to search.
Parking and transportation
Pirates fans will face some traffic challenges for the opener with the first phase of road closures in place for the NFL Draft. Gold Lot 1 is closed for the construction of the NFL Draft stage. West General Robinson Street, Art Rooney Avenue, and a section of Scotland Avenue near the stadium are also closed. Alco Parking lots open at noon.
The Pirates recommend fans arrive as early as possible, take public transit like the light-rail transit train (the T), use rideshare services, find alternate parking Downtown, or walk across the Roberto Clemente Bridge.
Drivers can try to reserve parking in advance through the ParkMobile website or app. The First Avenue parking garage had available spots on Wednesday. Fans can also prebook a parking spot through ParkWhiz. Check the Pirates website for current parking and transportation information. ParkPGH also provides real-time information for Pittsburgh parking garages.
Weather
Friday’s home opener will have highs nearing 80 degrees. According to National Weather Service meteorologist Jason Frazier, that’s about 20 degrees more than the average high temperature for this time of year. Fortunately, the late afternoon game will start in the upper 70s and likely cool off into the evening. Despite it being warm and muggy, relative humidity “isn’t overly high,” Frazier said.
The big question: Will it rain? After several impact days of rain and storms, the game doesn’t look to be a washout, but NWS puts chances at 40 to 50% for showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening. Fans will want to pack rain gear for both tailgating and the game and keep an eye on the weather.
“What a lot of this will come down to is, how do storms evolve and progress from previous days?” Frazier said. “Be prepared that there could be afternoon showers and thunderstorms, have ways to receive alerts if there’s severe potential, and have ways to keep yourself dry with various umbrellas, ponchos or anything else.”
PNC Park permits umbrellas inside, but they may not be opened during play.
Anniversary year
PNC Park is celebrating its 25th year. The stadium first welcomed a sellout crowd for an exhibition game on March 31, 2001.
Opening day kicks off with the Pirates’ annual block party on Federal Street starting at 1 p.m.
Inside the ballpark, festivities begin with Pirates play-by-play broadcaster Greg Brown emceeing the pregame ceremony. After players are introduced, there will be a moment of remembrance honoring Pirates alumni and friends lost over the past year, including Wilbur Wood, Elroy Face, Dave Giusti and Bill Mazeroski. Family members of Giusti, Face and Mazeroski will join a ceremony on the field. Pirates players will wear a No. 9 patch on their sleeves in tribute to Mazeroski throughout the season, the organization said on Tuesday.
The colors will be presented by the City of Pittsburgh and the Pennsylvania State Police Ceremonial Unit. Richard Manning, chief deputy at the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, will perform “God Bless America.” The River City Brass Band will perform the national anthem. The Pittsburgh-based professional brass band also performed during the pregame ceremonies of PNC Park’s inaugural 2001 season.
Four Black Hawk helicopters will perform a special flyover, supported by members from the Pennsylvania Army National Guard and 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade based in Johnstown.
As part of PNC Park’s 25th anniversary festivities, two players from the ballpark’s early years will appear: All-Star catcher Jason Kendall and All-Star power-hitter Brian Giles will throw a ceremonial first pitch.