Peterson Events Center

Capacity: 12,508

Events: NCAA Basketball, AEW Wrestling, Music Concerts, Comedy Shows

Home Teams: Pittsburgh Panthers

About Peterson Events Center

The Peterson Events Center has been standing on a good part of what used to be the Pitt Stadium since it was launched in 2002. The center is named after its biggest donors, John and Gertrude Peterson. The couple donated $10 million to develop the center, while the state has committed up to $53 million to the magnificent edifice.

Today, the center hosts the male and female Pittsburgh Panthers teams and various sporting events. Beyond sports, it has also hosted many of America’s popular entertainment talents, such as Katy Perry, Ariana Grande, Trevor Noah, Demi Lovato, Tyler the Creator, and many others.

Peterson Events Center Rules

The center is committed to creating a comfortable environment for all visitors, and these are some prohibited behaviors to avoid when at the venue.

• Foul language and obscene gestures

• Intoxication

• Inappropriate display of affection

• Indecent dressing

• Disruption of an ongoing event

• Seating in a seat other than your designated seat

This is a list of items you will not be allowed to bring to Peterson Events Center:

• Backpacks and sealed packages

• Food, beverages, bottles, cans, or similar containers

• Professional recording equipment, selfie sticks, GoPros, or laptops

• Weapons, Pepper spray, or mace

• Laser Pointers, Airhorns or noisemakers

• Banners larger than 3' x 2' or that are offensive or dangerous

• Electronic cigarettes

• Animals

Peterson Events Center Bag Policy

Since 2021, the Center has had a policy on the type of bags that are allowed into the venue. These are the important rules on permitted bags in the venue’s security policy:

• Clear bags that are not exceeding 12″ x 6″ x 12″

• The bag’s logo must not be larger than 4.5″ tall by 3.4″ wide

• Small clutch bags about 4.5″ x 6.5″ in size are allowed, along with a clear bag for each family member

• Diaper bags will be searched on entry

All these rules have an exception where the item to be carried in is a medical necessity for the attendee.

Peterson Events Center Seating

Configuration of seats may vary between events so make sure to check the event maps of the ticketing site from which you bought your tickets. Confirm your seat location on the Peterson Events Center seating chart right here.

There are different arrangements for basketball games and concerts. The seating chart also depends on the seating style the event opts for; there are end-stage concerts and center-stage concerts.

Peterson Events Center Review

Section L220

This is one of the sections at the back of the hall, however, fans still claimed to have gotten a view of all the on-stage action. The ground is higher than other floors, so you get an elevated view. Also, this section is close to the exit, so you can walk in and walk out easily.

However, attendees also complained that it was difficult to see any of the screens from here. So, you can’t get an up-close view of what is happening on stage from this section.

Section 205

Visitors in this section get a good view of the stage without any obstructions. However, there are also complaints that the legroom here is very limited so moving to and from your seat can be a real hassle.

Premium Suites

Visitors who pay for premium tickets get to sit in the best seats in the center and get access to an exclusive bathroom. However, with the issue of limited spacing between seats, you can’t easily slide in and out of your seat here.

If you are not interested in releasing big bucks for a seat in the center’s premium suites, we recommend getting seats anywhere from Section 101 to 126 for center-stage events. They are not close enough to be premium seats, but not far enough for you to miss the action going on on stage. If you sit in Section 106 for an NCAA game, you’d be right behind the pep band.

Getting to Peterson Events Center

Peterson Events Center by Car

The center's address is 3719 Terrace St, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. You can easily use a navigation guide to find your way to the venue. However, as an alternative, there is a guide on the venue’s official site to direct visitors to their destination from West, East, North, South, and Downtown.

Peterson Events Center Parking

You can’t use on-site parking when coming in for events at Peterson Events Center, however, there are alternative parking options around the university. The available lots are the OC Lot, PG Garage, Soldiers and Sailors Garage, and the BioScience Tower Garage. All these lots are close to the center so you can easily move from your car to the venue and back without having to do much walking.

You can find your way around the lots with this parking map.

If you are coming in for a big event, you should always come early because all the available lots get filled up fast when very many people come to watch a show. Alternatively, you could use the Park Mobile App to find available lots and even book a parking space ahead of time.

How Much Does Peterson Events Center Parking Cost?

The specific rates for each event often differ, but on average, the price usually costs about $20 per vehicle. Unless you want to park outside the university, these lots and other university-run lots are the only options available.

Peterson Events Center by Public Transportation

There are buses that move to and from Downtown Pittsburgh and Oakland, so you can join one of them to reach the center. Alternatively, you can use a ride-sharing app or call a Pittsburgh cab to get you to your destination.

Hotels Near Peterson Events Center

• Doubletree by Hilton

• Hilton Garden Inn Pittsburgh University Place

• Hotel Indigo Pittsburgh Technology Center South Oakland

• Marriott Residence Inn

• Omni William Penn Hotel

Restaurants Near Peterson Events Center

• Grand Concourse

• Ritual House

• Butterjoint

• Eleven

• Eddie V’s

Accessibility at Peterson Events Center

Centers like this are required to make accommodations for people living with disabilities. The Peterson Center has made different provisions to make attendance almost seamless for people with different disabilities. These are some of its key accessibility provisions:

• Assisted Listening Devices

• Accessibility Tickets and Seats

• Handheld Captioning device for male basketball games

• ADA-accessible concession stands and entrances

• First aid for a reasonable time before, during, and after events

• Wheelchairs for transporting guests with walking disabilities

• Service animals are allowed

• Applications for sign language interpreters are accepted at least ten days before the event.