PITTSBURGH — For the first time since Dec. 15, 2019, the Pittsburgh Steelers will play a home night game in front of a full capacity crowd at Heinz Field this Sunday.
The Steelers will host the Seattle Seahawks for an 8:25 p.m. kickoff on Sunday Night Football, and the team is hoping for a capacity crowd for the national television audience, after about 10,000 no-shows for each of its last two home games.
Linebacker T.J. Watt said he’s looking forward to a raucous environment on the North Shore Friday night.
“I’m super-excited for Heinz Field,” Watt said. “It was pretty rocking and rolling the last time we played there for a nighttime atmosphere. I’m sure the beers will be flowing a little bit more throughout the day and the place will be absolutely nuts. The fans help so much for us pass rushers and as a defense. The louder they are, they better we are going to play.”
The team has been dealing with a late-arriving crowd with new ticketless entry protocols this season, and for Sunday night, the Steelers will be setting off fireworks one hour and thirty minutes before the game in an attempt to get fans to the gates slightly earlier.
“I will have to get out there for pregame and get myself a seat for the show,” Watt joked.