Pitt Announces Big Change to 2026 Spring Game

PITTSBURGH — The Pitt Panthers' annual Blue-Gold spring game on April 11 will be closed off for public viewing, the program announced on March 16.

The team cited planning complications due to the construction around Acrisure Stadium in preparation for the 2026 NFL Draft, which will be held outside of the stadium on April 23-25.

"Fans will still have the opportunity to celebrate Pitt Football this spring at the Pitt Block Party at Arts Landing during the NFL Draft from April 23-25," said the release. "The free three-day fan event in Downtown Pittsburgh’s Cultural District will feature an immersive Pitt Football museum and draft showcase, live entertainment, food trucks and interactive activities highlighting Pitt’s rich NFL legacy."

This is yet another change to Acrisure Stadium for Pitt. In January, Director of Athletics Allen Greene announced that the capacity of Acrisure Stadium will be reduced by nearly 17,000 seats exclusively for Pitt home games. The upper East and West sections of the stadium will no longer be available as a result of the change.

However, Pitt will be playing on a supposedly improved playing surface beginning next season. The Pittsburgh Steelers announced in February that the previous field would be replaced with a more cold-tolerant and durable kind of grass called Tahoma 31 Bermuda.

Pitt will officially kick off the 2026 season against Miami (Ohio) in Acrisure Stadium on Sept. 5.