Not every NFL road trip is a pleasant experience, and an away game at Pittsburgh Steelers’ Acrisure Stadium is no exception. According to a recent survey by The Athletic, Pittsburgh was tied for the seventh-least desirable NFL destination among players. While Green Bay topped the list, garnering 16.8% of the votes as the worst road trip, Pittsburgh received 4.1%, alongside other unpopular locations like Buffalo, Cleveland, and Washington.
Although the usual suspects—cold weather and gray skies—were cited as reasons, some of the specific complaints about Pittsburgh stood out in the survey, particularly those related to the conditions at Acrisure Stadium.
One anonymous player was blunt about the locker room facilities in Pittsburgh, stating via the Athletic, “I would say Pittsburgh, because it smells like p*** in their locker room.” That less-than-ideal description painted a grim picture of the environment visiting teams endure when playing there.
Another player shared similar frustrations, saying, “Pittsburgh. Even though it’s my vibe: tough. It’s just always gray and s****y weather there.” This highlights not only the discomfort from the stadium facilities but also the notoriously dreary weather that seems to accompany games in Pittsburgh, especially late in the season. With cold temperatures and bleak skies often hovering over the stadium, playing there can feel more like a grind than a privilege.
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Since 2001, the Steelers have played at Acrisure Stadium, formerly known as Heinz Field, after replacing Three Rivers Stadium, which they shared with Major League Baseball’s Pittsburgh Pirates. Over the years, the stadium has gained a reputation for being a challenging venue, especially as the season progresses into the colder months. Similar to Green Bay’s Lambeau Field and Buffalo’s Highmark Stadium, Pittsburgh’s weather can be a major factor, particularly in December and January.
Despite these player grievances, the Steelers are enjoying a strong start to the season. With a 3-1 record, Pittsburgh currently sits atop the AFC North, making Acrisure Stadium a fortress for their success.
If the team maintains its winning streak, visiting teams will have to brace themselves for more trips to Pittsburgh, enduring both the notorious weather and, according to players, the less-than-ideal locker room conditions.
As the season progresses, it seems likely that more pivotal games will take place in Pittsburgh, with visiting teams facing not only the Steelers’ on-field intensity but also an uncomfortable off-field experience.
Whether it’s the “p***-smelling” locker rooms or the tough weather, Acrisure Stadium remains one of the less appealing stops on the NFL road trip circuit, but a necessary one for teams looking to challenge the Steelers’ dominance in their home turf.
