Shaded and Covered Seating at PNC Park

Finding Shaded Seats at PNC Park

Between June and August, Pittsburgh has some of the best baseball weather in the country. Despite an average high temperature of 80 degrees, the thermometer rarely reaches 90 degrees at PNC Park. Nevertheless, there will be the inevitable summer hot spell that can ruin an afternoon at the ballpark.

The Pirates typically play 8-10 day games during the summer months. During the week, these games usually start at 12:35 p.m., while first pitch on the weekends is at 1:35. When the sun is shining, the best way to avoid melting is to find seats in the shade. Here are a few tips for beating the heat at PNC Park:

• Sections 101-114 are the best seats for shade on the lower level
• Sections 301-312 are the most affordable shaded seats
• The most expensive seats are rarely shaded
• Outfield sections (especially in left field) are known as the sunniest seats

Seats on the First Base Side are Shaded First

Fans who attend many Pirates games will quickly tell you that the first base side is the shaded side of PNC Park. After the sun reaches its mid-day peak, it will fade behind sections on this side of the field.

Shaded Seats on the Lower Level

In the lower level, sections 101-114 are your best option on the first base side. Here's a breakdown of what to expect for most afternoon games:

• Rows R and above fully shaded at first pitch
• Rows E and above are shaded by the middle innings
• All rows are shaded after 4:00 p.m.

Home plate sections 115-117 will see shade patterns similar to sections 101-114. However, as you move closer to third base - and down the left field line - there are fewer and fewer seats in the shade. In these sections, aim for rows AA and higher for the best chance at protection.

Grandstand Seats in the Shade

The upper deck at PNC Park is also known as the Grandstand Level. Among these seats, sections 301-312 are your best spot for staying out of the sun. The upper half of rows in these sections are always shaded for afternoon games, and the lower half of each section gradually gets more shaded as the game progresses.

The Best Seats at PNC Park Are Rarely Shaded

Field Level sections 1-32 and Baseball Club sections 201-228 are the two most sought-after ticket areas. Unfortunately, these seats are rarely in the shade for day games in the summer.

If you are adamant about sitting in one of these two seating areas, be sure to sit in a section on the first base side. First base sections will be shaded in the later innings, while third base sections will always be in the sun.

Left Field Bleachers and Rooftop are Known as PNC Park's Sunny Seats

If you're sensitive to the sun, the one area that must be avoided is left field. Seats like the Bleachers (235-238) and the Rooftop (335-339) will always get a heavy dose of sun for day games.

Covered Seats at PNC Park

While PNC Park doesn't offer a whole lot of sun protection, it offers even less in the way of rain protection. Less than 10% of seats in the ballpark are under some cover, which creates a high demand for these seats when the forecast looks wet.

If you're purchasing tickets to a game and rain is a possibility, focus your search on the following areas:

• Rows R and above in the Grandstand Level
• Rows AA and above in the Lower Level

Within the 300s seats, keep in mind that covered seats are in the highest rows. This will require you to walk up stairs to reach your seats. Meanwhile, the covered seats in the 100s sections require no stairs or just a few stairs.

Fan Comments

• Upper Deck on First Base Side Best Chance For Shade at PNC Park

  Submitted by a Fan
  In the lower level, choose high rows in Sections 108-113 if you are looking for shade at a Pirates games. Alternatively, seats In the upper deck on the first base side will be less expensive and still be well shaded. Because of the openness of the outfield, all outfield seating is exposed to the elements. Sections 135-138 and the bleachers are among the worst seats for shade at PNC Park. Similarly, avoid the exposed first few rows of Sections 331-333.

• Front of sections 109-124 are behind the netting

  Submitted by a Fan
  There is some amount of netting or screening in front of sections 109-124. The height and coverage of netting or screening will vary by section.

Related Questions

• What is the last row number on the infield sections?

  Answered by an RYS Expert · February 15, 2016

  The last row in most lower level infield sections is labeled HH. Rows A-Z in these sections are followed by double-letter rows. To find covered seating, please access your event on our site and use the covered seating filter. This will display only tickets that are protected from rain.

• Is Section 128 Row DD under an overhang at PNC Park?

  Answered by an RYS Expert · June 16, 2013

  The back portion of section 128 is protected by the overhanging seating above, and your best options for the most protection will be the last 3 rows (Rows FF-HH). Row DD will have some protection from the sun, but on rainy days you might get wet depending on how the wind is blowing.

  

• Which seats are under cover in sections 109 to 113 at PNC Park?

  Answered by an RYS Expert · July 16, 2014

  The best overhead coverage in Sections 109 to 113 will be in found in rows CC through HH (Row HH is the last row of these sections). The overhanging suite seating deck above covers these seats well, with the best shade coming in Rows FF-HH.

  
  
  

  Covered seating at the top of the lower seating tier at PNC Park (CreativeCommons)