Kickoff and Rib Fest returns to Acrisure Stadium on Labor Day weekend

PITTSBURGH — The annual Kickoff and Rib Festival will return to Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh from Sept. 3 through Sept. 7.

Admission to the festival grounds along Art Rooney Avenue is free. Food, beverages and tickets to University of Pittsburgh Panthers football games will be available for purchase.

Defending champion Off the Bone BBQ will return to compete in the 2026 PA Pork Pitmaster Awards after winning the title in 2025. A celebrity panel will judge the barbecue competition, with the grand champion receiving a Wild Cat Championship belt. Other participating vendors include Afterhours, Bad Azz BBQ, Carolina Rib King, Cowboy’s BBQ & Rib Co., Jim’s Smokin Que, Mojo’s, Pigfoot BBQ, Ribbins BBQ, Smokin T’s BBQ, Swine BBQ and R&G Smoke Shack.

The FedEx Great Hall will be open to the public during the festival, featuring Pittsburgh Steelers memorabilia and the team’s Super Bowl trophies. Event attendees can also visit the Steelers Experience, meet team mascot Steely McBeam and visit the Steelers Pro Shop.

Daily activities include the Jim Beam Experience, contests at the I.C. Light booth prize wheel and displays of new Chevrolet vehicles. Drinks available for purchase across the grounds include products from I.C. Light, Tito’s, High Noon and Jim Beam. The grounds will also feature rides, games and additional vendors.

Rib Fest will take place each day as follows:

Thurs., Sept. 3, 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 4, 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Sat., Sept.5, 9:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Sun., Sept. 6, 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Mon., Sept. 7, 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Free performances include:

Fri., Sept. 4 – DJ Bonics at 7:30 p.m. and West 22nd at 9:00 p.m.
Sat., Sept. 5 – Post-game Street party with DJ Steve Maffei Jr. from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Sun., Sept. 6 – Junior Guthrie and The Push at 7:30 p.m. and The Jack Wharff Band at 9:00 p.m.
Mon., Sept. 7 – BBQ & Blues Monday with House of Soul at 3:00 p.m., Guitar Zack at 4:30 p.m. and
Billy Price at 6:30 p.m.

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