Shallenberger announces stadium expansion
Artist蘑菇视频 rendering courtesy of Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
The increased popularity of soccer in the area has brought numerous sellouts to Highmark Stadium in Pittsburgh’s Station Square, but Pittsburgh Riverhounds owner Tuffy Shallenberger has his sights set on much-larger crowds at the soccer-specific stadium that currently has a capacity of 5,000.
Shallenberger, a Connellsville native who owns several businesses in the area, announced on Tuesday that a planned expansion to the stadium that houses the Riverhounds, Pittsburgh Riveters of the USL W League and Pittsburgh Thunderbirds of the Ultimate Frisbee Association.
The Riverhounds play in the United Soccer League (USL) Championship and the expansion would push for the stadium to meet the U.S. Soccer’s Pro League Standards that mandate a capacity of 15,000 for Division One sanctioning.
The USL recently announced plans to launch a Division One professional men’s league — the top tier of the sport in the United States — with a 2028 launch date. USL is currently in the process of reviewing applications from clubs interested in its Division One league.
“Sine 2014, we have invested significant capital and effort into this stadium and growing soccer around the area,” said Shallenberger in a press release that was sent by Pittsburgh Riverhounds Director of Communications Matt Grubba. “Now, we have an opportunity to continue that growth. This expansion is going to be great for our fans and allow us to take our teams to the level we want to reach, but it’s also going to bring additional events here that will help the entire Pittsburgh community. We’re excited to start and take this next step forward.”
Interest in the Riverhounds, and the sport of soccer, has grown the past half-decade in the United States. The Hounds have sold out 73% of their home matches since 2023.
The Riveters, who are the club’s women’s team in the pre-professional USL W League, hosted 28,138 fans for six games, including a crowd of 6,077 in the team’s inaugural match.
The expansion will feature an increase in premium seating areas, a club that will be large enough for banquets and suites that will allow the venue to host additional sports and entertainment events.
The stadium’s naming rights will occur before the project’s completion, which could change the name from Highmark, or it could remain. The current renderings of the stadium have it listed as “Riverhounds Stadium.”
The stadium is home for six NCAA varsity teams (soccer and lacrosse). The Riverhounds have hosted the annual WPIAL Soccer Championships for boys and girls, the 2018 NCAA Division II Soccer Championships, the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival, more than a dozen charity walks, and other events hosted by regional and national non-profits.
The stadium will host the 2027 NCAA Division III Soccer Championships.
“Our team has spoken with promoters around this area, and they see Pittsburgh as a city where there’s room to bring in more entertainment and events,” Shallenberger said. “I still think we have the best location in the city with our view of downtown over the river, and we’ve got easy access to public transportation with the T (light rail) and the incline. This expansion is going to make us a top venue to host other sporting events, more than a dozen concerts in a year and so much more.”
The South Shore has continued to see growth as an extension of downtown. The recent opening of The Distillery Complex is the latest in a series of announcements that include ongoing investment in Highline Pittsburgh, and a built-in residential community at the Glasshouse Apartments.
“The Pittsburgh Riverhounds are committed to the continued growth of our sport, and our stadium,” Shallenberger said. “This community, all around Western Pennsylvania, has supported our team for a long time, and we want to keep getting bigger and better to make them proud.”