Looking for some advice

Ok so I am new to being a football fan but my boyfriend has done a wonderful job of introducing me to the sport.
He is a HUGE Steelers fan, so for his birthday I have decided to buy him and his buddy plane tickets to see a game at Heinz Field (we live in Northern British Columbia in Canada and he has never seen them play live, at home or away). But I have no idea what I am doing in terms of buying the actual game tickets. If anyone would mind giving me a little advice on the following questions it would be greatly appreciated

1) Where do you want to sit in the stadium, are there areas that are better then others? Is closer always better? I figure if I'm sending him all the way to Pittsburgh I might as well do it right.
2) I was looking for tickets today and every other team seems to have tickets up on NFL Ticket Exchange except for the Steelers, am I SOL already?
3) Is the NFL Ticket Exchange the best place to go for game day tickets or is something like Stub Hub ok?

I would normally just ask my boyfriend these questions but I am hoping to surprise him, so again any advice people have would be awesome!

Thank-you in advance
A budding Steelers fan

 

I have been to 4 games at Heinz. I have sat in the lower level twice and in the upper level endzone and had a ball at all 4. my opinion is it doesn't matter. just being there is great. I loved the upper endzone cause those guys have a ball up there and really its not bad at all. if its his first game any ticket will be great. you cant screw it up and he will love the game.

I also bought all my tickets at stubhub. never had any issues there

 

Good. Welcome aboard. Another Canadian.. YEAH. We are only a handful on this board. Personally I would pay the higher amount for the good seats. I have had seats in the 500s, 100 and 200s.. My favourite was the 200s .. You can see a play develop better when you are higher up but its cool to see plays up close...

There are seats which are not as good. Corners of the stadium near end zone are generally not very good and personally I would not want to sit in the nose bleeds. Did that when Three Rivers was still being used and while it was cool and all your so far away from the field I felt as though I might as well stay home and watch on TV.

I noted as well there were no Steelers tickets through the Ticketmaster Ticket Exchange. Not sure why that is. Perhaps someone else here will have an idea of why that is.

Ticket Exchange I believe is cheaper then Stub Hub. I have purchased etickets through Stub Hub previously and they are reputable but come at a premium.

Good luck JayJay.. Good to have you on the board eh ?

Bman

 

I second pretty much everything that SteelCityNB said regarding point #1. Adding to it, if money isn't an object and you are willing to spend the cash, Club East or Club West seats are optimal. They are at the 200 level and will provide you with a fantastic view of the game regardless of where they are. Even the worst seats in the Clubs are really good, but optimally try to stay in the sections between the 40s. They also offer decent protection from the weather if it is crappy, but the best part about them is the access to the club. They connect to an enclosed and carpeted concourse that is available only to people in the club sections allowing for shorter lines (often times no lines) to the restrooms, bar, and concession stands. Being inside, it is awesome for late season games allowing you to warm up during half time.

Tickets for the clubs are pretty pricey as they start at $200+ per seat face value and are going to cost you more on the open market, but for a one-off vacation they are very worth it, IMO. Just not having to waste the entire half time standing in two lines (one to pee and one to get another beer) is worth the extra price off admission...for 1 game.



edit...also a great place to celebrity watch. This is where most explayers sit. Louis Lipps is a regular at this bar ^^^^ in Club East.

 

I have no answers for you, but what a great idea! Now, as a budding Steelers fan, there are some things you need to know.

1. Kordell Stewart was set up to fail.
2. Aaron Smith is one of the greatest 5-techs of all time, and his lack of recognition is a stain on the NFL.
3. Ed Reed better than Troy Polamalu in the same way that Kent Graham is better than Charlie Batch.
4. HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAATH!!!!

That oughta help you when you're watching the games with your boyfriend. Anyone else have any need-to-know fan info?

 

I would also recommend the Club level, but they are pretty darn pricey. Second best place I've found was in the 500 levels on the sidelines, between the 20 yard lines. If you get up there high enough you'll be under an overhang and fairly shielded from weather. If it's a late season game though, bundle up. If people leave early it gets COLD there.
I've bought tickets from StubHub in the past with good success. I have not tried the ticket exchange yet. If you want to try Ticketmaster, good luck. Tickets sell out on the on sale date within a couple minutes, and generally the only ones available are in the upper end zones.

As for hotels, if you want him to have the full experience, he should stay at the Sheraton in Station Square. It's a very pricey place though at near $300 a night. But the advantage of this place is being able to take the Clipper boats across the river to the stadium.

 

Our QB in SB 30 didn't really exist. He was a figment of a warped imagination and his name shall never be mentioned!

 

My favorite is the middle of the left side/corner of the end zone. It gives you a great view and you have the jumbotron for the other end zone. It awesome sitting there when the steelers are driving for a td.

 

This has been some great advice. SteelCity_NB and Busman, nice to see the Canadian representation!
I think I have a pretty good idea of areas to look at. Has anyone tried a website called TiqIQ? I found it while I was looking for Steelers fan pages. The tickets are a little cheaper then StubHub but I'm hesitant to spend on sites I don't know especially before the tickets even go on sale.

Oh yeah, there are already tickets are StubHub, should I wait until the tickets go on sale officially or is the gamble ok to get them now?

Thanks to everyone who has responded, much appreciated

 

JayJay...
All I can add to this, is, your boyfriend is a lucky man!!!
No matter where you get your tickets, or where you sit, what you need to know is...
When the other team has the ball, and is trying to move it...
YELL AT THE TOP OF YOUR LUNGS... "DEEE-FENSSE.... DEEEFENSE!!!"...
When we have the ball, and Big Ben is trying to work his magic...
Be quiet, and let him do his thing, till we get a first down, or score!!!
Then... Join the celebration, with the rest of the Heinz Field Faithful!
No matter where you are, in the stadium, if your man has never been there before, he will be in heaven, just to be there with his fellow Steeler Fans!!! Trust Me!...
GO STEELERS!

 

I'm not a season ticket holder. Which has had it's benefits, I've sat in everything from upper level (500's) field level (100's) Club Level (200's), I have even got to sit in a luxury suite through my brother's company that he works for once. All the seats are good just stay away from the 500's in the closed end zone which are bleacher seating, and they are the worse seats in Heinz field they are section 518-527. The other seats aren't to bad. Seating goes from A-Z, then to double letters AA-LL (and maybe even higher double letters). So if you sitting in A your in the 1st row and so on it goes with the lettering.

You won't see any tickets on the ticket exchange for sale yet, because the Steelers don't release their tickets to season ticket holders until July. They also do a public sale for limited number of tickets to each game to the public, usually this happens in Mid- June, as has happened in past years, you could then get tickets at close to face value if you get them that route. But, of course you can use StubHub Ebay etc. But look at Steelers.com for when they annouced the public sale on-line, but the public sale might be hard, tickets go really fast.

But as far as where to sit, I'd get a higher row field level 100's at anywhere between the 30 to 30 yard lines. Those are more than likely the best, but won't be cheap, but if you want go 500's go once again between the 30 to 30 yard line sections and get a lower letter row.

If you splurge and get him a club seat, the clubs are very nice, more concessions inside, and nicer cleaner and not many people in the bathrooms.

Hope this helps!!!

 

I'm sure he will be happy anywhere in the stadium if this is his first trip. The Great Hall will be one stop he needs to make. welcome jay-jay, you should make the trip with him. there is nothing like coming through the tunnel and boom the city. the game is just part of the experience.

 

Jay Jay, take in the sights, ride the incline at night and check out the view! It's awesome. South Side, Station Square. I'm sure your man will enjoy the Steelers merchandise everywhere. Good luck and have much fun!


Oh, and a side note, Kordell Stewart was NOT set up to fail. He would fold in the hottest moments. He should have stayed as Slash where he excelled.


Enjoy the game and all the Pittsburgh experience. Your man will be jacked!

 

I sit in Club west. This is the Steelers side and the side where the late day sun is not in your eyes. I recommend this. The ticket exchange link from the Steelers web site is also an option because you are quaranteed the tickets. Although I have had excellent results with StubHub and have personally sold on eBay. The Steelers site won't list tickets for a little while as the payment for season tickets is only due at the end of today, I believe.

 

JayJay, Welcome 1st to Steelernation and secondly welcome here, TSF message board, it's the best board on the net, hands down.

A couple of notes: All Steeler fans must own a Terribletowel and you're not allowed into Heinz field without one....seriously!!!! Its a law, I promise.

Other teams--- You must completely despise the stains,ratbirds, bungles, cheatriots, faiders and cowgirls.

Our team: The Emperor ( Coach Noll ) is a football god, defense is key to winning, Troy is head & shoulders above everyone else, Big Ben is not a prima dona & Kordell Steward's ego kept him from being a probowl WR and forever cemented his legacy as the worse QB to lead this team. He was just that bad.

I also heard "The Bus's" 36 grille" was a must for fans coming to the burg for the 1st time.


Cajun-

 

Don't be in a hurry, show up early and enjoy the pre-game (and post game) tailgating festivities. Most of us are very friendly and might even offer up some free chow for the distant out of town visitors. Club level are great seats. I'd even throw in the closed end zone tickets are pretty cool too. I feel personally responsible for the NY Jets kicker missing 2 field goals in our playoff game in 2005 because of the fan noise.

 

I wouldn't say Kordell was the worst qb the steelers have ever had.

 

I didn't say had, that honor would go to Graham. I said lead this team. The franchise was set on his shoulders and he buckled.

Cajun-

 

My first game at Heinz we stay in our seats enjoying what we saw. .Every moment. So much so that the security came along and had to ask us to leave lol. No point in being in a hurry since there is thousands of people all exiting at the same time. Once we left the stadium we had a few more beer in the parking lot where we were tailgating and then finally left the stadium parking lot.

What a great time and you are sooo correct. Jay Jay.. Savor every moment

Bman

 

I second this. My first game, I didn't care where I sat, it was just about the experience and sitting in the stands and being able to look around and see nothing but terrible towels waving. The Super Bowl trophies are in the stadium, along with displays of former Steeler greats and some of their memorabilia. I would recommend parking in Station square and taking the ferry to the game and back.

I got my tickets off Ebay at $150 each, but it was a Monday night game vs the Ratbirds and also the 75th anniversary game. They were nose bleed seat above the end zone. I have also sat in the nose bleeds at the 40 yd lone, under the cover, which is good if it rains, and it always seems to rain when I go. But all the stairs are a pain.

My best advice is to go earlier in the year, because that stadium traps the wind from the 3 rivers and it gets really cold in there. Dress very warm. Being from Canada, you may be ok, but in my experience there, I froze my butt off.

 

What are you wearing?

 

I've been to one game (and hope to get back a few times). I would, also, recommend riding the ferry. It was one of the most fun things I did while being there. I would, also, recommend staying on these guys about tailgate locations. We had a large group when I went, however, I was disappointed with the little bit of tailgating I saw around the stadium. I have since learned that the good tailgating sites were further out. Maybe next time I go!

 

Oh yeah don't forget.... Stadium security SUCKS, plan to stand in line for an hour just trying to get into the stadium.