Sports

Pittsburgh has three major professional sports teams: the Steelers football, the Penguins ice hockey, and the Pirates baseball. The Penguins is the newest team, established in 1967, the Steelers were established in 1933, and the Pirates is the oldest team, established in 1876. Regardless of how new or old any of these teams are, they have all had a big staple on history, pop culture, and social life not just in Pittsburgh, but throughout the U.S. The Steelers in particular are super famous and can be found in so many different random places throughout the country, both what people are wearing and just random items.

Some of our teams have won several of the highest-level trophies in their respective sport. While the last time the Stealers won the Super Bowl was in 2008, they have won it a total of six times. The Penguins have won the Stanley Cup five times, with the last one in 2017. They won 2016 too making them win it two years in a row.

Pittsburgh has three beautiful and modern sports stadiums. There's PNC Park in the North Shore neighborhood for the Pirates - pictured below with one of Pittsburgh's three "Sister Bridges" across the Allegheny River in the foreground, PPG Paints Arena in Downtown for the Penguins, and Acrisure Stadium, also in the North Shore, for the Steelers. Some of them have sometimes been rated in the top 10, etc. for the whole country. PNC Park and Acrisure Stadium are right on the river and you can see downtown and the three rivers from the stadiums. I've been to Pirates and Penguins games, and have been to all three stadiums. While I'm not a huge sports fan, it's go ingrained into Pittsburgh's DNA that you always have a good time watching your home team compete against another team, even if you don't win.

Erie is home to two minor league sports teams. We are home to the Erie Otters, which is our hockey team, and our baseball team, the Erie Seawolves. While I am not extremely interested in sports, it is very fun to experience a game every once in a while during their seasons. Even though Erie does not have a professional sports team, there is still a chance to experience high-intensity games that will leave you on the edge of your seat!

The Erie SeaWolves were established in Erie as part of the Eastern League in 1999. Because they are not a fully professional team, the SeaWolves are affiliated with the Detroit Tigers in Michigan. Their home stadium is the UPMC Park. Recntly the park has gone under renovations to help the guests who visit have a better experience. Even though the SeaWolves are not an extremely well-known team, they have been the start for many now-famous baseball players such as Justin Verlander, who now plays for the Houston Astros, and Curtis Granderson, who, before his retirement in 2020, played for teams like the New York Mets, the Detroit Tigers, and the Miami Marlins. UPMC Park hosts many themed nights during the baseball season to draw the attention of many hopeful attendees such as Small Business Night, Christmas in July, and a few Bark at the Park nights where attendees are encouraged to bring their dogs to watch a fun-themed game. 

Erie is also home to the Otters. The Erie Otters were founded in 1996 and play in the Erie Insurance Arena. They are not affiliated with the National Hockey League, but they are recognized by the Ontario Hockey League, so they are faced up against the other teams in that league. Some past players for the Otters have included Connor McDavid, who now plays for the Edmonton Oilers, and Alex DeBrincat, who is now playing for the Detroit Red Wings. Like the Erie SeaWolves, the Otters tend to have themed nights including a Veteran’s night in November to honor those who have served our country and a Teddy Bear Toss one night after the team makes their first goal. Pictured below is what the inside of the Erie Insurance Arena looks like during an Erie Otters game.