HISTORY

The Kickoff and Rib festival was started in 1990 at Three Rivers Stadium. Much like today’s event, it featured concerts by national artists, national rib vendors, games and more. The event was set around the circular perimeter of Three Rivers Stadium with the main entrance at the foot of the Gate A ramp. After the closing of Three Rivers Stadium, Heinz Field continued the tradition of hosting the Kickoff and Rib Festival. The event started in a parking lot adjacent to Heinz Field and then grew onto Art Rooney Avenue and now encompasses over half of Heinz Field. The “midway” is set up along Art Rooney Avenue filled with rib vendors, festival foods and beverages, games, rides and more. The FedEx Great Hall of Heinz Field is open for fans to view the team’s Super Bowl trophies, Hall of Fame Museum, Steelers memorabilia, the new Terrible Towel Wall and more.

Western Pennsylvania is rich in football history and the annual Heinz Field Kickoff and Rib Festival celebrates the kickoff of the regions favorite tradition.