From steel town to hockey town
The Penguins entered the NHL in 1967, the same year as their cross-state rivals in Philadelphia. For years they struggled. Then came Mario Lemieux, who led them to back-to-back Stanley Cups in 1991 and 1992, and later saved the franchise as an owner. Sidney Crosby arrived in 2005, and the team won three more Cups in 2009, 2016 and 2017. Along the way, Pittsburgh became a genuine hockey city. Youth registrations grew, rinks were built and kids who grew up idolizing Lemieux and Crosby now play in adult leagues across Allegheny County.
PPG Paints Arena
The Penguins play at PPG Paints Arena in the Lower Hill District, on the eastern edge of downtown. The arena opened in 2010 next to the site of the old Civic Arena, known to locals as "the Igloo." Many fans walk from downtown offices or take the T, Pittsburgh's light rail, to the nearby Steel Plaza station. Others drive and park in the garages around the arena.
Before a game, downtown and the Strip District offer plenty of places to eat. After a game, Market Square is a lively spot for a drink. It is also a nice place for a first date even when there is no game.
The Rink at PPG Place
Every winter, the plaza at PPG Place downtown turns into an outdoor skating rink, surrounded by the glass towers of the building. It is one of the most photographed winter spots in the city and a classic Pittsburgh date. A large tree stands in the middle of the rink during the holidays. Check dates and hours before you go.
The Flyers rivalry
The Battle of Pennsylvania between the Penguins and Flyers is one of the most intense in hockey. Games between them are often heated, and so are the fans. Penguins and Flyers under one roof? The rival-fan guide helps keep the peace. The Capitals are another longtime rival, with playoff series stretching back decades.
Youth and adult hockey
Pittsburgh's hockey culture runs deep. The Penguins' practice home, the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry Township, has public skating and programs for kids and adults. Rinks across the region host adult leagues at every level. Robert Morris University plays Division I hockey in the area, and Penn State is a few hours away.
Getting home safely
The T runs after games, but trains thin out late. Check the schedule before you head to the arena. If you drove, note your garage; downtown garages can be confusing at night. Pittsburgh's hills, bridges and tunnels make some routes longer than they look on a map. Rideshare can be slow right after a game, so a drink in Market Square while the crowd clears is a nice idea. Plan the walk back over the bridges with our safety tips.
Black-and-gold profile tips
- Pick your captain. Lemieux, Crosby or the current group.
- Mention your neighborhood. Lawrenceville, Squirrel Hill and the South Side all have their own character.
- Share your other teams. Mention the Steelers and Pirates if they matter to you; a three-sport calendar is worth knowing about early.
- Talk local. A little "yinz" in conversation shows you belong.
Date ideas around Pittsburgh
- Skating at the Rink at PPG Place, then hot drinks downtown.
- Dinner in the Strip District before a Penguins game.
- Public skating at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex.
- A Robert Morris college game.
- A summer walk along the rivers on the trail system, talking about the draft.
- Watching a road game at a bar in Lawrenceville.
See our hockey date ideas for more.
Pittsburgh and the region
Many Penguins fans live outside the city, from the North Hills to West Virginia and eastern Ohio. Registration works from any of those places, and the distance setting handles the rest. A fan in Morgantown or Erie may be happy to meet halfway.
The Igloo and Pittsburgh memories
The Civic Arena, nicknamed the Igloo for its stainless steel dome, was home to the Penguins from 1967 until 2010. The dome could open to the sky, and it hosted the Lemieux years and the first two Cups. It was demolished in 2011 and 2012. Older fans still get misty about it, so if your date mentions the Igloo, ask what they remember. Younger fans might have been there as kids for the last few seasons.
Pittsburgh's suburbs and small rinks
Many Pittsburgh fans live in towns spread across the hills, from Monroeville to Bethel Park to Wexford. Each has its own rinks and youth programs, and plenty of adult players skate in leagues close to home. A date at a local rink can be easier than a trip downtown, especially on a weeknight when tunnel traffic is heavy.
A city of bridges and blue-collar loyalty
Pittsburgh has more than four hundred bridges, and getting anywhere means crossing a river or going through a tunnel. That geography shapes dating as much as anything. A match in the South Hills and one in the North Hills may love the same team but rarely cross paths. Mentioning your neighborhood saves a lot of guesswork.
The city's fans are famously loyal, and many families have held season tickets for decades. Ask your date how long their family has been going to games. The answer often goes back further than you expect, sometimes to the early days of the franchise at the Igloo.
Openers for a Penguins fan
Ask where they were for the 2016 or 2017 Cup. Ask whether they prefer Lemieux or Crosby, and listen to the defense of their pick. Ask if they skate at a local rink. Pittsburgh fans tend to be warm, funny and very proud of their city, so questions about neighborhoods and favorite sandwich shops often go a long way too.
A Pittsburgh safety note
The tunnels and bridges can back up badly after a game. If you are meeting a date for the first time, choose a spot on your side of the river so you are not stuck in traffic heading home late, and let a friend know when you expect to be back.
One more idea
Inclines up Mount Washington give a great skyline view after a game.
Over to you, Pittsburgh
Neighborhood, Penguins era, Steelers loyalty: put all three in your profile and a match has plenty to work with. Signup Here to start. Penguins fans with accounts can sign in to update theirs. For the cross-state grudge, read Philadelphia, or visit our Detroit guide, then scan the cities page for the others.