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Situated
at the confluence of the Allegheny, Monongahela and
Ohio rivers, Three Rivers Stadium combines accessibility
with function to be one of our region's most productive
physical attractions. Three Rivers Stadium, home to
the Pittsburgh Pirates and Steelers, maintains our city's
major-league sports image while contributing to the
security of thousands of jobs across a broad spectrum
of area industries.
The stadium functions not only as a proven economic
generator. Its contribution to the region's quality
of life is equally, if not more, important. When Three
Rivers is filled to capacity in support of the Steelers
and Pirates or for some truly special event, it becomes
one of the largest communities in the Commonwealth.
Those occasions bring people together in a shared sense
of purposes, reaffirming our commitment to large, centrally
located entertainment venues.
Home
of the Pittsburgh Steelers for more than 30 years,
Three Rivers Stadium was the site of many great
Steeler teams. Prior to moving into Three Rivers
Stadium the Steelers had played at Forbes Field and
Pitt Stadium. Forbes Field was built mainly for the
Pittsburgh Pirates (MLB) in 1909. The Steelers began
playing at Forbes Field during their first year of
inception in 1933. They played at Forbes Field along
with the Pittsburgh Pirates until 1963. The team
then moved into Pitt Stadium, home of the University
of Pittsburgh Panthers.
Both the Steelers and Pirates were dissatisfied with
their homes. Like every other major metropolitan
city in the late 1960's and 70's, Pittsburgh had to
look to the future to maintain its Major League
status. Therefore, Pittsburgh decided to build a
multipurpose sports stadium. The stadium was built
where the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers join to
form the Ohio, thus getting its name Three Rivers
Stadium. Construction began on April 25, 1968 and
was not completed until July 16, 1970 because of
construction delays. The cost of the stadium was $55
million, and seated 47,972 for baseball and 59,000
for football.
Some Pittsburgh Steelers history: The Pittsburgh
Pirates football team was founded in 1933 by
Art Rooney. He named the team after Pittsburgh’s
National League baseball team, and the two
franchises shared Pittsburgh’s Forbes Field. In 1938
Rooney signed star running back Byron White.
Nicknamed "Whizzer" because of his speed, White led
the league in rushing that year, but the Pirates won
just two of nine games. |
