University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Fan Information For Saturday On The North Shore
11/12/2025 5:30:00 PM | Football
No. 22 Pitt hosts No. 9 Notre Dame at a sold-out Acrisure Stadium Saturday at noon
PITTSBURGH – The eyes of the nation are focused in Pittsburgh and on the North Shore Saturday as No. 22 Pitt hosts No. 9 Notre Dame in the first College Football Playoff Top-25 matchup in Acrisure Stadium history.
Saturday's game is sold out and set for an ABC broadcast with kickoff at 12:07 p.m. ESPN's College GameDay Built by The Home Depot broadcasts live from The Great Lawn beginning at 9 a.m. and the ACC Network's ACC Huddle broadcasts live from ROC'n on Rooney starting at 10 a.m.
North Shore Gameday Parking
Gameday parking on the North Shore will be extremely limited. Please visit our Parking & Tailgating page for available parking options and public transit information.
Student Section Seating Policy For GameDay
Student shuttles begin running at 5 a.m. Saturday and only 1,000 seats are being reserved in the Panther Pitt (sections 124 and 125) for students who arrive early to College GameDay.
Starting at 5 a.m., students can pick up a specialty wristband at Gate B (must show proof of game ticket). Student wristband distribution will end once 1,000 students have claimed or at 9 a.m. Saturday.
Seats in Sections 124 and 125 will be held for students with a specialty wristband until 11:30 a.m. inside Acrisure Stadium.
ESPN College GameDay Built by The Home Depot Fan Information
Rece Davis hosts College GameDay with analysts Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard, Pittsburgh area native Pat McAfee and Nick Saban at the desk, along with college football insider Pete Thamel, reporters Jen Lada and Jess Sims and college football betting analyst 'Stanford Steve' Coughlin.
For on-site information, please visit College GameDay's Hub HERE.
- 6:30 a.m. – College GameDay pit opens
- 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. (approx.) – LIVE from the Great Lawn
- 11 a.m. – noon LIVE from inside Acrisure Stadium
College Gameday will make its fourth appearance in Pittsburgh this Saturday in what is expected to be an electric atmosphere leading up to kickoff. The show will open the pit area to students and fans beginning at 6:30 a.m. Saturday morning so arrive early and bring your best signs.
College Gameday Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I get selected to stand in the pit during the live broadcast?
Students and fans have the opportunity for an up-close view of the show by standing in the pit immediately adjacent to the stage. Selection is on a first-come, first-serve basis for all fans. Students admitted to the pit are encouraged to wear school colors and should have a numbered wristband. Participants are subject to ESPN security procedures and policies.
Q: How do I get selected for Pat McAfee's field goal kick?
The first 300 students allowed into the pit receive a ticket and are entered into the raffle to be selected.
Q: What is the ESPN policy for pit participants?
The following items are prohibited in the pit: bags (of any kind), food and drinks, pens, pencils, markers or dry erase boards and signs on sticks. Throwing objects is strictly prohibited in the pit. A number of sign regulations are required as well.
Q: What are the College GameDay sign regulations?
One of the most beloved traditions associated with College GameDay is the making of signs. No vulgar signs, .com, .net, .org, political or religious signs are allowed. For fans entering the pit, signs cannot be on poles or oversized. All signs brought to Saturday's taping will be inspected before entry and must abide by College GameDay's sign policies or will be removed.
ACC Huddle Fan Information
Join host Taylor Tannebaum and analysts Jimbo Fisher, Eric Mac Lain and Eddie Royal. The live show will also features free breakfast for attendees (while supplies last), a t-shirt giveaway and other exclusive prizes.
- 9 a.m. – Roc'N on Rooney opens
- Approx. 9:45 a.m. – Welcome the team to the stadium with Panther Prowl
- 10 a.m.11:45 a.m. (approx.) – LIVE from Roc'N on Rooney
- 11:45 a.m. – Noon – LIVE from inside Acrisure Stadium
Aaron Donald Jersey Retirement
Be sure to stay in your seat at halftime as Pitt retires Aaron Donald's No. 97 jersey. At the two-minute timeout in the second quarter, the Panther Pitt will have a special card stunt to honor the Pittsburgh legend, as well.
Donald will become the 11th Pitt player to have his jersey retired. He joins a legendary list of Panthers that includes offensive lineman Jimbo Covert (No. 75, 1978-82), end Mike Ditka (No. 89, 1958-60), running back Tony Dorsett (No. 33, 1973-76), wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (No. 1, 2002-03), offensive lineman Bill Fralic (No. 79, 1981-84), running back Marshall Goldberg (No. 42, 1936-38), defensive end Hugh Green (No. 99, 1977-80), quarterback Dan Marino (No. 13, 1979-82), offensive lineman Mark May (No. 73, 1977-80), and linebacker Joe Schmidt (No. 65, 1950-52).
Following his senior season, Donald was named a unanimous first-team All-American and the winner of the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award, Outland Trophy, and Rotary Lombardi Award, making him one of the most decorated players in Pitt history.
Tony Dorsett Recognition
1976 Heisman Trophy winner Tony Dorsett will be recognized on Saturday for the 50th anniversary of his record-breaking rushing performance against Notre Dame on Nov. 15, 1975. His 303-yard game is the most ever by a Notre Dame opponent and came in a 34-20 victory over the Fighting Irish.
Gameday Timeline
- 6:00 AM
- Parking Lots Open
- 6:30 AM
- College GameDay Built by The Home Depot pit area opens to students and fans— arrive early and bring your signs!
- 9:00 AM
- College GameDay Built by The Home Depot is live outside from The Great Lawn
- The Panthers Ticket Office, located across from Stage AE, opens
- Roc'n on Rooney opens
- 9:45 AM
- Welcome the team to the stadium at the Panther Prowl on the southeastern corner of Art Rooney Avenue
- 10:00 AM
- ACC Huddle is live outside from Art Rooney Avenue
- Acrisure Stadium gates open and the Pregame Band Concert begins in the Gate A plaza
- 11:00 AM
- Watch the Pitt Band on their March to Victory into the stadium from Tony Dorsett Drive
- College GameDay Built by The Home Depot continues from inside Acrisure Stadium
- 11:40 AM
- Pitt Band takes the Field
- 11:50 AM
- Panthers Take the Field
- 12:07 PM
- Kickoff
