The best moments at Acrisure Stadium from the past quarter-century

Fireworks erupt pregame before a Pittsburgh Steelers game at Acrisure Stadium in September 2023. The stadium has hosted hundreds of games, concerts and events during its first 25 years. (Chaz Palla | TribLive)

Twenty-five years. Countless memories.

Troy Polamalu weaving 40 yards through a sea of Ravens and into the end zone after intercepting Joe Flacco to seal the Steelers’ win in the AFC championship game at the end of the 2008 season.

Antonio Brown stretching the football across the goal line with 9 seconds left against Baltimore, delivering a Merry Christmas to Steelers fans with the Immaculate Extension in 2016.

Seeing an ice rink in the middle of Heinz Field on New Year’s Day 2011, when more than 68,000 fans watched the Penguins play the Capitals in Pittsburgh’s first outdoor NHL game.

Or Taylor Swift packing the stadium’s bright yellow seats for two nights in 2023, drawing a record-setting 145,000 fans for her record-breaking Eras Tour, with nearly that many listening outside.

Those are just some of the unforgettable moments that have unfolded inside the North Shore stadium since it opened in 2001.

From the towering ketchup bottles that flanked the massive scoreboard to the bright lights of “Monday Night Football” and the roar of concert crowds echoing up and down the adjacent three rivers, Heinz Field — now Acrisure Stadium — has provided the backdrop for some of Pittsburgh’s most memorable sports and entertainment events.

Over the past quarter-century, the 68,000-seat building has hosted hundreds of games, concerts, historical performances, unforgettable finishes and even the filming of a Hollywood blockbuster.

But which moments stand above the rest?

To recognize the stadium’s 25th anniversary, the TribLive staff selected the top 25 moments in its history, spanning Steelers and Pitt football, high school championships, outdoor hockey, soccer, concerts and Hollywood.

In an occasional series, TribLive is taking a look back at the top 25 moments of the past 25 years, from sports to entertainment. Here are the first moments from No. 21 through 25.

University of Pittsburgh running back Israel Abanikanda takes it to the house for his sixth touchdown on the day against Virginia Tech on Oct. 8, 2022, at Acrisure Stadium. (Chaz Palla | TribLive)

Tony Dorsett’s single-game rushing record stood for nearly 50 years at Pitt after the Hall of Famer ran for 303 yards against Notre Dame in 1975.

But on Oct. 8, 2022, Israel Abanikanda shattered it, running for 320 yards in a 45-29 triumph over Virginia Tech at Acrisure Stadium.

Abanikanda also tied a Pitt record with six rushing touchdowns in the victory, a mark originally set in 1910.

Abanikanda’s first score was a 38-yard touchdown run in the opening quarter.

After Virginia Tech took a 16-7 lead in the second quarter, Abanikanda answered with a 17-yard touchdown.

It was in the second half when Abanikanda came alive, scoring four of his six touchdowns. He found the end zone from 29 and 5 yards in the third quarter before scoring on a 10-yard rush in the fourth.

Abanikanda saved the best for last. After Pitt had taken a 38-29 lead, he put an exclamation point on his record-setting day with an 80-yard score about midway through the fourth quarter.

Not since 1981 had an ACC player managed six rushing touchdowns in a game. Abanikanda also became the first Power Five player to rush for six scores and at least 300 yards since Texas’ Ricky Williams in 1998.

Before being selected in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Abanikanda went on to rush for a career-high 1,431 yards and 20 scores in his final season in a Pitt uniform.

West Allegheny players lock arms as they watch kicker DJ Opsatnik's tying field goal as time expires in the WPIAL Class 5A championship game against McKeesport on Nov. 18, 2016, at Heinz Field. West Allegheny won, 38-37, in overtime, on a two-point conversion. (Christopher Horner | TribLive)

It is common to see the winning coach in a championship game soaked with Gatorade bath by his players.

But it is extremely unique to have both coaches dripping once a title game ends.

That is what happened in one of the craziest football games played in the first 25 years of Acrisure Stadium.

The strange finish happened in the 2016 WPIAL Class 5A championship game when West Allegheny outlasted McKeesport, 38-37, in overtime.

“The McKeesport game has to be one of the most entertaining and exciting games played,” West Allegheny coach Bob Palko said. “They were so talented, and we couldn’t stop them. We had two onside kicks we recovered and a fake punt that was successful. We had to try and steal possessions because we couldn’t stop them.”

McKeesport scored with under a minute remaining in regulation to take a 30-27 lead.

West Allegheny drove to the McKeesport 33-yard line and spiked the football with 1 second remaining.

D.J. Opsatnik, who had 33 career field goals before the attempt, came up short on a 50-yard attempt as time expired.

Cue the Gatorade shower for then-McKeesport coach Matt Miller.

The Tigers, however, were flagged for roughing the kicker, and the Indians had another chance. Opsatnik was perfect from 34 yards, and the score was tied 30-30 at the end of regulation.

“It was hard getting everyone off the field and try and focus in on the next play,” Miller said after the penalty. “I had just taken a Gatorade bath, I had ice in my pockets for the entire overtime. But the kids did a great job coming out and scoring right away.”

In overtime, Ray Sellars scored to put McKeesport ahead 37-30. West Allegheny answered with Willy Weber short TD run to pull to within one point.

“After they scored and kicked the extra point, we made the decision if we score, we were going for two,” Palko said. “One play, win it or lose it.”

Nick Ross ran in the 2-point conversion for the championship, and it was Palko’s turn to get drenched.

“I was not surprised by them going for two,” Miller said. “We were moving the ball pretty well, and they rolled the dice and came up with a huge score.

“It is still heartbreaking to think about 10 years later.”

NSYNC performs at Heinz Field on Aug. 18, 2001. (TribLive)

The first headliners at Acrisure Stadium weren’t wearing black-and-gold uniforms. They were Justin Timberlake, Lance Bass, Joey Fatone, JC Chasez and Chris Kirkpatrick, members of mega-popular boy band NSYNC.

On Saturday, Aug. 18, 2001, the group brought along openers Christina Milian and Debbie Gibson to perform to a sold-out crowd at a pristine, brand-new Heinz Field. About 50,000 fans, with around 8,000 on the field, packed the stadium.

NSYNC embarked on their fourth concert tour, the PopOdyssey Tour, in May 2001. The international tour promoted their fourth and final studio album, “Celebrity,” which was released one month before the Heinz Field concert. “Celebrity” spawned several hits for the group, including “Pop,” “Girlfriend” and “Gone.”

Local legend Rich Engler was the promoter for the concert. Before the 2001 Heinz Field show, the boy band visited Pittsburgh on July 16, 2000, performing at the new stadium’s predecessor, Three Rivers Stadium.

The show was a massive spectacle, including lasers and pyrotechnic displays. Just after the concert, TribLive interviewed Miranda Bier, 15, of Vandergrift, who said, “It was so awesome. This year’s concert was so much better with all of the fireworks, the new music, the new vibe.”

TribLive also looked back at the concert on its 20-year anniversary in 2021. Christina Popojas, of Lincoln Place, who was 15 at the time of the concert, reminisced fondly. “I wanted to be part of that moment, part of something big,” she said. “It was a good time. My parents dropped me off, and I was so happy I was at the concert with my friends. We got dressed up and did our hair. They were the hottest guys with their frosted (hair) tips.”

This reporter, age 10 at the time, was also present that night, in my Limited Too finery; it was a formative moment in my passion for live music.

Gibsonia native Meghan Klingenberg waves a Terrible Towel after scoring against Costa Rica helping the U.S. Women’s National Team win 8-0 at Heinz Field on Aug. 16, 2015. (TribLive)

Meghan Klingenberg played primarily at left back during her time with the U.S. national team, so scoring wasn’t really a big part of her job description.

She netted three goals in a distinguished 75-game career, so it’s a good bet she remembers each and every one of them vividly.

Still, though, one undoubtedly stands above the rest.

On Aug. 16, 2015, the Pine-Richland graduate had a moment to remember on her home turf, taking a pass from Tobin Heath and scoring in an 8-0 U.S. victory over Costa Rica in a friendly at Heinz Field.

After scoring, Klingenberg grabbed a Terrible Towel provided by coach Jill Ellis and waved it to an adoring crowd.

“Being in my hometown and hearing 44,000 people roar for you is quite incredible,” Klingenberg said.

The goal didn’t happen by accident. Klingenberg moved up to midfield at halftime, and her teammates were intent on getting her the ball.

“We all said at halftime, ‘Let’s get her a goal,’ ” Carli Lloyd said.

The game was part of a victory tour for the U.S. team after winning the 2015 World Cup in Canada.

The U.S. hadn’t won the sport’s biggest prize since its famous 1999 victory at the Rose Bowl, so the achievement built excitement among soccer fans near and wide.

Attendance was 44,028, a U.S. record for a stand-alone women’s friendly at the time and to this day, the biggest crowd to watch the international kind of football at the stadium now known as Acrisure Stadium.

It was the second game for the U.S. women at the venue. They defeated Iceland in a friendly in 2004.

Three friendlies between some of the world’s most famous clubs also have been played at the stadium. Manchester City beat AC Milan in 2014, Borussia Dortmund defeated Benfica 4-3 in a shootout in 2018 and Liverpool downed Real Betis in 2024.

West Allegheny’s Mike Caputo eludes Hopewell’s Eddie Domitrovitch for a touchdown during the second quarter of the WPIAL Class AAA championship game Nov. 27, 2009, at Heinz Field. (Christopher Horner | TribLive)

A championship game is much more exciting when it comes down to star power.

Even then, there are no guarantees it will live up to the hype.

The 2009 WPIAL Class 3A football championship game at then-Heinz Field had the stars who lived up to the hype.

The outcome was one of the most exciting WPIAL football championship games played on the North Shore as West Allegheny defeated Hopewell, 36-28.

“That 2009 game was crazy,” West Allegheny head coach Bob Palko said. “We jumped out to an early lead and fought our tails off to be fortunate to pull it out in the end.”

This was one of the most anticipated finals in decades because of two runners: the WPIAL’s eventual all-time rushing leader in Rushel Shell of Hopewell and Mike Caputo of West Allegheny.

Shell led the WPIAL in rushing that season, followed by Caputo at No. 2.

Earlier in the season, the two Parkway Conference foes met with Hopewell beating West Allegheny, 34-26.

In that game, Shell rushed for 349 yards, and Caputo ended up with 218 yards.

The Vikings entered the game undefeated as nobody had found a way to stop Shell.

Trailing by eight, Hopewell got the ball at its own 36-yard line with 6:45 left.

Shell ran the ball on seven of the next eight plays to give Hopewell a first down at the West Allegheny 4-yard line. However, Shell would not carry the ball again.

A sack and three incomplete passes turned the ball over and allowed the Indians to run out the clock.

Caputo and Shell were as great as advertised.

Caputo rushed 25 times for 178 yards while Hopewell’s Shell has 42 carries for 274 yards.

“Both Russell Shell and Mike Caputo were great, each scoring four touchdowns,” Palko said. “We made big plays on defense by C.J. Revtai, Ben Simmon and Jared Buck picking off or knocking down passes to seal the victory.”