One of the most iconic stadiums in the NFL will have a new look this upcoming season, as well as a new namesake. Heinz Field, the home of the Pittsburgh Steelers, will be renamed Acrisure Stadium. The new name comes as part of a new 15-year naming rights agreement with Acrisure, a Michigan-based insurance brokerage firm.
The Steelers’ home field has been named Heinz Field since it opened its doors in 2001. For the last two decades, Pittsburgh-based headquartered ketchup company Heinz has owned the naming rights. The brand had originally agreed to a 20-year, $57 million contract to sponsor the stadium in 2000, with the company signing a one-year extension in 2021. Earlier in the year, Steelers’ president Art Rooney II had said negotiations between Kraft Heinz were “ongoing,” which signaled an opportunity for a potential name change.
Rooney expressed his optimism about working with Acrisure for the new rights agreement. “We are excited to partner with Acrisure for the naming rights to our stadium, Acrisure provided us with an opportunity to ensure our stadium continues to be a valuable asset for our fans as well as keeping up with the market value of NFL stadiums. We are very appreciative to partner with [founder] Greg Williams and his company, and we look forward to a long, beneficial relationship for years to come.”
With the name change, many cosmetic changes to the stadium are expected to take place, most notably the removal of the giant Heinz ketchup bottles displayed near the large video scoreboard in the stadium.
Williams expressed in a statement his desire to invest in Pittsburgh as well as take advantage of the Steelers’ global brand. “The Pittsburgh Steelers are an institution in American sports and a globally recognized brand,” he said. “Partnering with the Steelers is the opportunity of a lifetime and a tremendous honor. Through Acrisure Stadium, we will increase awareness of the extraordinary advantage Acrisure brings our clients while conveying our strong sense of community. Relatedly, we are eager to invest in the Pittsburgh community and the broader region as we chart our course to an unforgettable first season. This relationship truly embodies and aligns two organizations that have high standards and are determined to achieve great things.”
