What you need to know if you're going to Steelers preseason opener

Fans headed to the Pittsburgh Steelers preseason opener Friday should make sure they have digital tickets saved on their phones.

Screenshots of the ticket code won’t be permitted this season as they were last year, Heinz Field spokesman Nick Sero said.

That’s the biggest change fans can expect this year, according to Sero.

The stringent policy regarding digital tickets is designed to prevent fraud. The bar codes for mobile tickets will change frequently, and those using mobile tickets are advised to access them using the Steelers’ official smartphone app and save the ticket to the digital wallet on their phone, Sero said.

Last year, screenshots were accepted, but fans trying to use them this year will be disappointed.

“If people screenshot it, it’s not going to work,” Sero said. “I would just say to make the day as easy as possible it’s worth it to download the Steelers app.”

It’s also a good idea to use the traffic app Waze, which is partnering with Heinz Field to help people take the quickest route to the game, Sero said.

Other things to know:

• Heinz Field follows the NFL’s “All Clear” bag policy. For information on it, click here

• Heinz Field advises people to park Downtown and use the T to get to the stadium, park at Station Square and ride the Gateway Clipper over or use the South Hills light-rail lots and ride to the stadium.
• Those arriving on the North Shore from I-279 less than two hours before the game should use Exit 1C and park at Rivers Casino or along Beaver or Western avenues. People can also use Exit 1D from I-279 north or Exit 2B from I-279 south to park at the Blue 10 or Nova Place garages.
• The pre-sold lots around the stadium open at 2:30 p.m. and tailgating is allowed. People with pre-sold parking who are driving from the east, south and west should use the West End Bridge to get to the North Shore, Heinz Field officials advise.
• For more on parking, click here.

Fans are encouraged to arrive two hours before the game. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Gates will open at 5:30 p.m.

On the field, the Steelers will take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Off the field, Friday’s game will mark the first time fans can eat Kennywood’s famous Potato Patch fries away from West Mifflin.

“I’m excited to see how long the line is,” Sero said.