PNC Park Parking Guide: Lots, Prices, and Game Day Tips
Parking at PNC Park ranges from $5 to $34 depending on location and event. North Shore official lots offer the closest access, while downtown Pittsburgh garages provide budget-friendly options with free “T” light rail connections directly to the ballpark.
How Much Is Parking at PNC Park?
North Shore lots and garages directly adjacent to the ballpark are the most expensive. Surface lots on the North Shore typically run $9 to $20, while the closest premium options – North Shore Garage, W. General Robinson Garage, Red Lot 6, and Gold Lot 2 – range from $19 to $34. These are all within a five-minute walk of the stadium.
Downtown Pittsburgh garages start as low as $5. Prices vary by event and date, so check pirates.com/parking or a third-party platform like ParkMobile or SpotHero before game day to lock in the best rate.
Parking passes can be added to your gameday Pirates tickets through the MLB Ballpark app, purchased online at pirates.com/parking, or paid in cash upon arrival. Have your digital pass ready on your phone before reaching the lot to avoid processing delays. The Pirates also recommend using the ParkPGH app or visiting m.parkpgh.org for real-time downtown parking availability throughout the season.
Preferred and Premium Parking at PNC Park
Red Lot 5A and Red Lot 6 are the closest lots to PNC Park – directly adjacent to the stadium – and the only two that operate on a presold-only basis. They do not accept walk-up parking on game day, so plan ahead if you want one of these spots.
Presold passes for Red 5A and Red 6 are available through the Pirates ticket office at 1-800-BUY-BUCS or through your Pirates sales representative for season packages. Single-game presold passes for select games are also available via the MLB Ballpark app or at pirates.com/parking.
Other top-tier North Shore options include the North Shore Garage, W. General Robinson Garage, and Gold Lot 2 – all either across the street from the stadium or less than a five-minute walk away. The Pirates and ParkMobile have partnered to let fans reserve spots at pncpark.parkmobile.io in advance, which is the best way to guarantee a North Shore space on high-demand game nights.
Free Parking Near PNC Park
Truly free parking near PNC Park is limited. The best option is Rivers Casino, about a 15-minute walk from the ballpark along the North Shore. Self-parking at the casino is free on most days – just park, walk through the casino floor, and head to the game.
Metered street parking exists in and around the North Shore and downtown areas, but spaces fill up quickly on game days. Check posted signage carefully before leaving your vehicle.
Many fans drive to a downtown Pittsburgh Parking Authority Garage – eight locations with rates as low as $5 – and ride the free “T” light rail directly to the ballpark. Combining a cheap garage with the free T ride is one of the most cost-effective ways to get to PNC Park.
Can You Tailgate at PNC Park?
Yes, tailgating is permitted in designated North Shore surface lots only – not in any garages. Alco Parking, which manages North Shore lots, allows moderate and responsible tailgating subject to a strict code of conduct.
Key rules: no tents, no grills inside garages, no personal port-a-johns, no glass containers, and no sale of food or alcohol. Limos, RVs, and oversized vehicles are not allowed into stadium lots. All tailgating must stay within your paid parking space – do not block aisles or walkways.
All North Shore lots use a Directed Parking Policy, meaning attendants guide your vehicle to a specific space to keep traffic moving. Parking management can curtail or prohibit gatherings that negatively impact traffic flow and safety. Clear the parking areas no later than one hour after the game ends.
ADA and Handicap Parking at PNC Park
ADA and handicap-accessible parking is available in all North Shore lots and garages on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no option to pre-purchase or reserve an accessible spot, so arriving early is strongly recommended. Vehicles must display a valid disabled parking permit or license plate.
Lots open four hours before first pitch. Arriving at opening gives you the best chance of securing an accessible space close to the stadium. For accessible drop-off, Mazeroski Way near the ballpark serves as the designated drop-off point for fans using rideshare or private vehicles.
Uber and Lyft Drop-Off at PNC Park
The designated rideshare drop-off and pick-up location is Mazeroski Way. Set your app destination to “PNC Park” or 115 Federal Street, Pittsburgh, PA.
After the game, expect surge pricing and longer wait times. Walking a few blocks away from the stadium before requesting your ride can help you avoid the heaviest post-game traffic concentration. PNC Park and Waze have also partnered to provide turn-by-turn directions directly to your specific parking spot, which helps reduce game-day navigation frustration for drivers heading to the North Shore.
Public Transit to PNC Park
The free “T” light rail is the most popular transit option. The T’s free fare zone covers travel between downtown Pittsburgh stations – including Wood Street and Gateway Center – and the North Shore, placing fans just a short walk from the ballpark across the Andy Warhol Bridge.
Over 50 Port Authority bus lines, as well as the West Busway, terminate in downtown Pittsburgh, connecting fans across the region to the T. Fans from the western suburbs can park at Carnegie, Bell, Crafton, or Sheraden Park-and-Ride stations and take the 33X West Busway – All Stops bus directly downtown.
The First Avenue Garage in downtown connects directly to the First Avenue T station – one of the best park-and-ride combos for fans coming from the south or east. From Wood Street station, it’s a five-minute walk over the Andy Warhol Bridge to the stadium entrance. For real-time schedules and fare information, visit the Pittsburgh Regional Transit website.
PNC Park Parking Tips
Let your direction of travel determine where you park. Coming from the north? Stay on the North Shore and use lots 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D, NOVA Place Garage, or Blue 10 Garage. Coming from the east, south, or west? Park in a cheaper downtown garage and walk across the Andy Warhol Bridge or take the free T – it’s often faster than dealing with North Shore traffic.
Pre-book your parking. The Pirates have partnered with ParkMobile at pncpark.parkmobile.io to let fans reserve spots in advance – this saves time at the gate and guarantees your spot on sold-out nights. SpotHero and ParkWhiz also list nearby lots with reservable spaces.
For a free parking option, Rivers Casino – about a 15-minute walk along the North Shore – offers free self-parking on most game days. Pair it with an early arrival and it’s one of the best value moves in Pittsburgh sports. After the game, head south or west via the Ft. Pitt Bridge using the Stanwix ramp, or east via I-376 using the Seventh Avenue ramp.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does parking cost at PNC Park?
Parking at PNC Park ranges from about $5 at downtown Pittsburgh garages to $34 for the closest premium North Shore lots. Most North Shore surface lots are priced between $9 and $20 on standard game days.
What are the closest parking lots to PNC Park?
Red Lot 5A and Red Lot 6 are the two lots directly adjacent to PNC Park. The North Shore Garage, W. General Robinson Garage, and Gold Lot 2 are also within a five-minute walk of the stadium gates.
Can you tailgate at PNC Park?
Yes, tailgating is allowed in North Shore surface lots but not in any garages. No tents, open flames, glass containers, or the sale of food and alcohol are permitted. All tailgating must stay within your paid parking space.
Is there handicap parking at PNC Park?
Yes, ADA-accessible parking is available in all lots and garages on a first-come, first-served basis. Vehicles must display a valid disabled parking permit or license plate. Pre-selling accessible spots is not available, so arrive early.
Where do Uber and Lyft drop off at PNC Park?
The designated rideshare drop-off and pick-up area near PNC Park is Mazeroski Way. Set your app destination to PNC Park or 115 Federal Street, Pittsburgh, PA.
Is there free parking near PNC Park?
Rivers Casino, roughly a 15-minute walk from PNC Park along the North Shore, offers free self-parking on most game days. Metered street parking exists nearby but fills up fast and is not guaranteed.
What time do PNC Park parking lots open?
All North Shore lots and garages open four hours before first pitch. Arriving early is especially important for fans seeking ADA-accessible spaces or premium lots that sell out quickly.
How do I get to PNC Park by public transit?
The free "T" light rail runs between downtown Pittsburgh stations (Wood Street and Gateway Center) and the North Shore, placing you just a short walk from the ballpark. Over 50 Port Authority bus lines also connect to downtown Pittsburgh, where you can transfer to the T.
