Steelers Asking Fans to Arrive Early amid Donald Trump Visit

The Pittsburgh Steelers are asking fans to arrive early on Sunday with heightened security amid a visit from former President Donald Trump.

Alan Saunders |

Oct 20, 2024

Pittsburgh Steelers Donald Trump — Donald J. Trump, President of the United States waves as he takes the stage during the U.S. Air Force Academy graduation at Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colorado, May 30, 2019. Nine-hundred-eighty-nine cadets graduated to become the newest 2nd lieutenants in the Air Force. -- Trevor Cokley / U.S. Air Force

The Pittsburgh Steelers are asking for fans to arrive to parking lots early and make their way into Acrisure Stadium as far in advance as possible for the team’s Sunday Night Football game against the New York Jets, because of additional security and traffic concerns surrounding the attendance of former President Donald Trump at Sunday’s game.

Trump, who is attending the game as the guest of a Steelers individual suite holder, has been campaigning for election extensively in Pennsylvania. He had a rally at Arnold Palmer Airport in Latrobe on Saturday, where former Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown was a speaker. Brown’s former Steelers teammates Le’Veon Bell and Mike Wallace were also in attendance.

Due to additional traffic and heightened security, the Steelers are asking for fans to arrive at the parking lot earlier than usual and make their way into the gates well in advance of Sunday’s 8:20 p.m. kickoff time at Acrisure Stadium.

Pittsburgh Steelers Dallas Cowboys Acrisure Stadium

“With former President Trump expected to attend Sunday night’s game as a guest of an individual suite holder, we are working with Secret Service and local authorities to ensure the safety and security of all our fans,” Steelers spokesman Burt Lauten said in a press release.

“As always, we will work to make the fan experience the same as it always is for every Steelers’ home game at Acrisure Stadium. We encourage fans to arrive early to the parking lots and to the gates so that they can enjoy our pregame experience and our celebrations throughout the game that will honor the 50th anniversary of our Super Bowl IX team.”

Trump has long had an interest in football. Trump repeatedly attempted to buy an NFL franchise, most recently the Buffalo Bills before they were sold to Terry Pegula in 2014. Trump attended several college football games in his time as president.

Jets owner Woody Johnson served as Ambassador to the United Kingdom under Trump.