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College football schedules are beginning to fall further into place as time slots for major conferences begin to be revealed. One of those blockbuster matchups is already experiencing some blowback due to previously scheduled local events.
The Backyard Brawl is one of the sport’s most hated rivalries, pitting West Virginia and Pitt against one another on the gridiron. This year’s edition will represent the 107th meeting between the two schools, and it’s set to take place at Acrisure Stadium on September 14th.
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Only 70 miles separate the rivals, meaning fans from both sides will be in attendance. Building the anticipation further is the fact that this will be just the third matchup in the series over the last 10+ seasons.
While the sides faced off near-annually dating back to 1900, conference realignment caused a pause in the rivalry in 2011. More than a decade later, the series resumed, with the teams splitting contests in ’22 and ’23.
The intensity of the rivalry is well-known, as are the profanity-laced chants designated for opposing sides. With that intensity comes a pregame leadup that allows fans to get effectively tuned up for action.
Unfortunately, this year’s tailgating scene might be disrupted by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Backyard Brawl is scheduled to kick off at 3:30 pm.
To accommodate, the Pittsburgh Pirates moved a home game scheduled on the same day up from 6:40 pm to 1:05 pm.
I feel like this is actually worse? pic.twitter.com/8hBvmysjPm
— Brian McElhinny (@rtjr) June 11, 2024
While the Pirates did this in an effort to alleviate congestion, potentially seeing a scenario in which the football game ends just as the baseball game begins, some believe it could do quite the opposite.
The two venues are located about a half-mile apart, meaning traffic and parking could turn into an absolute nightmare – particularly on the North Shore.
Baseball goers could now arrive around the same time as those college football tailgaters, rather than hours later with the Backyard Brawl likely still being played.
Social media immediately reacted to the adjustment.
“The original setup would’ve mostly been fine. It would’ve shut some Pirate fans out of North Shore lots, but it’s one game and there are plenty of other options. This will create a way more chaotic parking situation, plus make it impossible to see most of both contests.”
“Just have a doubleheader on Friday or Sunday. This is absolutely worse.”
Tailgating will almost certainly be impacted.
“They don’t want any part of the booze-fest that will happen during the Backyard Brawl. Too much liability.”
“Over and over, the football tailgating in this city gets the shaft.”
“The Pirates are ruining the best tailgate of the year!”
Not ideal!
Then again, there may not be much of a draw for a Pirates-Royals matchup in mid-September given both franchises’ history. Maybe that will help keep the parking lots empty for those football tailgaters.