Quick Answer
Yes, you can bring food into Highmark Stadium, home of the Pittsburgh Steelers football team. However, there are some restrictions on what types of food and drink items are allowed inside the stadium.
What types of food are allowed in Highmark Stadium?
Highmark Stadium allows fans to bring food into the venue, subject to the following guidelines:
- Factory-sealed plastic bottles of non-alcoholic beverages up to 20 oz. are permitted.
- Small snack items such as chips, pretzels, cookies, and candy are allowed.
- Fruit such as apples, oranges, bananas, and grapes are permitted.
- Single-serve snack packs such as crackers, nuts, trail mix, and granola bars are allowed.
- Sandwiches and subs without extra condiments are allowed.
In general, food items should be snack-sized portions rather than full meals. Food must be brought in approved clear plastic bags or a small, see-through container.
Types of food not allowed
Prohibited food items at Highmark Stadium include:
- Full meals, large portions, and catered food
- Cans or glass containers
- Thermoses, coolers, and picnic baskets
- Alcoholic beverages
- Soda cans or bottles (unless sealed and under 20 oz.)
Outside food containers such as pizza boxes, fast food bags, and wrappers from restaurants are also not permitted.
Can you bring drinks into the stadium?
Yes, fans can bring permitted beverages into Highmark Stadium. Acceptable drinks include:
- Plastic bottles or cans of non-alcoholic soda/water under 20 oz.
- One factory-sealed bottle of water up to 1 liter
- Juice boxes
- Powdered drink mixes (must be emptied into an approved clear container)
Drinks in glass bottles, aluminum cans, aluminum bottles, or any container over 20 oz. size are prohibited. Thermos containers, soda bottles over 20 oz., and alcoholic beverages from outside the stadium are also not allowed.
Purchasing drinks inside the stadium
Fans wishing to purchase beverages inside Highmark Stadium can buy sodas, water, sports drinks, coffee, beer, wine, and cocktails from concession stands throughout the venue. Prices for drinks range from $5-12 depending on size and type of beverage.
Are there any restrictions on how food and drinks must be carried into the stadium?
Yes, Highmark Stadium restricts the type of food and drink containers permitted inside for security reasons. All food and unsealed drinks must comply with the following:
- Food must be in clear plastic bags no larger than 1 gallon in size.
- Drinks must be in approved clear plastic containers no larger than 20 oz.
- One factory-sealed bottle of water up to 1 liter is permitted per person.
- Small snack items can be brought in clear plastic bags or clear containers.
- Sealed juice boxes are allowed.
Food and drinks cannot be brought in coolers, thermoses, briefcases, fanny packs, opaque solid containers, lunch bags, boxes or metal containers. Highmark Stadium also prohibits entrance with items that conceal prohibited items.
Can you bring a clear bag or purse into the stadium?
Yes, fans are allowed to bring permitted clear bags and purses no larger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″ into Highmark Stadium. This includes:
- Clear plastic bags
- Clear vinyl tote bags
- Small clear purses with or without a handle or strap
- One-gallon clear resealable plastic storage bags
Standard backpacks, fanny packs, briefcases, luggage, and camera bags that do not meet the clear bag guidelines are prohibited. Small clutches and wallets 4.5” x 6.5” or less do not need to be clear but are subject to search.
Where to get clear bags
Approved see-through bags are available for purchase from the Steelers Pro Shop and on the Highmark Stadium website. Many pharmacies, department stores, and online retailers also sell permissible clear plastic bags, purses, and totes. Fans may reuse authorized clear bags from previous games.
Can you bring diaper bags into the stadium?
Yes, Highmark Stadium allows necessary medical and childcare items including diapers, wipes, formula, bottles, pacifiers, and blankets. These items must be carried in clear plastic bags or containers. Standard diaper bags are not permitted, but contents may be transferred into an approved clear plastic bag.
Other exemptions
The following medical and childcare items are exempt from the clear bag policy:
- Oxygen tanks/CPAP machines with accompanying letter of necessity
- Insulin/EpiPens with accompanying letter of necessity
- Small clutches for personal hygiene/medication no larger than 4.5” x 6.5”
Are coolers allowed in Highmark Stadium?
No, coolers and ice chests of any kind are prohibited from being brought into Highmark Stadium. This includes soft-sided coolers and lunch bags with cooling insulation or gel packs. Fans cannot bring these items into the stadium to store permitted beverages and snacks. Only clear plastic food and beverage bags meeting the stadium guidelines are allowed.
Keeping items cold
If you need to keep approved food and drinks cold, consider these tips:
- Freeze water bottles ahead of time and use as ice packs
- Store items in an insulated opaque bag until reaching security checkpoint, then transfer to clear bag
- Bring powdered drink mixes instead of pre-made drinks
- Limit items that must stay refrigerated
Can you tailgate in the parking lot with grills and coolers?
Yes, fans are welcome to tailgate and barbecue in the parking lots at Highmark Stadium before Pittsburgh Steelers games. Grills, coolers, chairs, tables, tents, games, and food are all permitted while tailgating.
Here are the guidelines for tailgating:
- Tailgating is allowed up to 4 hours prior to kickoff
- No open flames or propane tanks are allowed in the stadium lots
- Charcoal grills are permitted during tailgating
- Large gatherings and games are encouraged
- No alcohol may be taken from the parking lots into the stadium
- All grills, chairs, coolers, etc. must be removed prior to entering the game
So while coolers are prohibited inside Highmark Stadium, fans can bring them to set up a full tailgate party experience before the game outside the stadium.
Best lots for tailgating
The top parking lots for Steelers tailgating include Gold Lot 1 near Gate A and Silver Lot 1 near Gate B. These spots fill up early with the most elaborate tailgate parties up to 5 hours prior to game time.
Can fans leave and re-enter Highmark Stadium?
No re-entry is permitted at Highmark Stadium once fans exit the gates. Leaving the stadium means fans cannot come back inside on the same ticket for any reason. If fans need to leave for an emergency or any other reason, they must do so with the understanding they cannot re-enter.
Policies for smokers
Since re-entry is prohibited, fans who wish to smoke during a game must utilize designated smoking areas inside Highmark Stadium. Smokers cannot exit the stadium to light up and then try to re-enter. There are several designated smoking spaces located around the stadium concourses.
What happens if you try to sneak in outside food or drinks?
Attempting to sneak in prohibited items such as outside alcohol, beverages over 20 oz., or non-permitted bags may result in refusal of entry, confiscation of items, ejection without refund, loss of season tickets, and criminal prosecution. All bags, clothing, and other personal belongings are subject to thorough inspection at all entry gates.
To avoid problems, be sure all food, beverages, and other items comply with the Highmark Stadium policies listed on the stadium website and on signs at the entry gates. Fans can call (412) 323-1200 with any questions about permitted items before arriving.
Confiscation policies
If security personnel determine any item is not permitted inside Highmark Stadium upon inspection, the prohibited item will be confiscated, discarded or donated with no compensation. This includes trying to sneak in outside alcoholic beverages. Fans must voluntarily throw away any disallowed items before being granted entry.
Conclusion
Highmark Stadium maintains limitations on outside food and beverages to maximize fan safety and minimize disruptions. While some snacks and drinks are permitted, fans cannot bring full meals, alcoholic drinks, or large containers into Steelers games. Tailgating beforehand is encouraged to enjoy prohibited items before entering the stadium. Checking the official policies in advance prevents problems with denied entry or confiscation of banned items. With the clear bag policy and prohibited items list, fans can know what they can and cannot bring into Highmark Stadium to cheer on the Steelers.
Summary in Table Form
Item | Permitted? | Guidelines |
---|---|---|
Clear plastic bags and purses | Yes | Must be 12″ x 6″ x 12″ or smaller. Clear tote bags and 1-gallon Ziploc bags also permitted. |
Snack foods | Yes | Must be in clear bags. Includes chips, candy, fruit, crackers, trail mix. |
Sandwiches/subs | Yes | No extra condiments allowed. |
Non-alcoholic beverages | Yes | Factory-sealed plastic bottles or cans up to 20 oz. size. |
Water | Yes | One sealed bottle up to 1 liter permitted per person. |
Plastic drink bottles over 20 oz. | No | Limits on size for beverage containers. |
Glass bottles or cans | No | Not permitted regardless of content. |
Alcohol | No | No outside alcohol is allowed inside the stadium. |
Coolers & ice chests | No | Permitted only when tailgating. Cannot be brought into stadium. |
Key Takeaways
- Factory-sealed plastic bottles and cans up to 20 oz. are allowed.
- Most snacks must be in clear plastic bags.
- No outside alcohol or coolers are permitted inside.
- Fans can tailgate with grills, games, tents & coolers before entering.
- All items are subject to inspection at entry points.
Checking Highmark Stadium bag policies in advance prevents problems with entry. While fans can enjoy delicious tailgate food and drinks beforehand, only permitted containers and snacks can accompany them inside to cheer on the Steelers!