Clemson Family Tailgate – Pittsburgh, PA
The Clemson Alumni Association and IPTAY are excited to host the 
Clemson Family Tailgate prior to the Clemson vs. Pittsburgh game in Pittsburgh, PA on Saturday, October 23. The first-ever FLOATING tailgate will take place on The Empress, a riverboat with the Gateway Clipper fleet, located directly in front of Heinz Field along the North Short Riverfront Park.
The event will run from 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM with the following itinerary:
11:30 AM: Embark The Empress docked at the North Shore Riverfront Park (see below map for details)
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM: The Empress will remain docked at the North Shore Riverfront Park
12:30 – 1:30 PM: The Empress will set sail on an hour-long sight-seeing experience along the Three Rivers
1:30 – 2:30 PM: The Empress will return to the same dock where it will remain for the last hour of the tailgate
2:30 PM: Disembark The Empress for the short 0.1 mile (2 min) walk across North Shore Drive to Heinz Field for the 3:30 PM kickoff.
All tickets will be delivered via mobile delivery. There is no re-entry allowed, once you leave the boat from the event, you cannot come back in. Please be sure to have all tickets and ID for you and your guests to check into the tailgate.
Know Before You Go Information
Where will I enter for the event?
The Empress will be docked along the North Shore Riverfront Park and will be open to embark beginning at 11:30 AM. Look for the Mr. Rogers Memorial Statue and orange balloons. The map below notes the general location of where the boat will be docked in relation to Heinz Field and surrounding parking lots.
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What are the Gateway Clipper and Clemson Family Tailgate COVID-19 vaccination and mask policies?
The Empress Gateway Clipper and the Clemson Family Tailgate does not require individuals to be vaccinated or to present any documentation of vaccination.
The Gateway Clipper Fleet is following all the stated policies and procedures that have been determined by the State of Pennsylvania, Center for Disease Control (CDC), the Pennsylvania Department of Health, and the Allegheny County Department of Health. The Passenger Vessel Association has also provided us with guidance and directives to efficiently and effectively open with all safety procedures in place.
In compliance with the CDC guidelines, fully vaccinated crew and passengers are NOT required to wear a mask on the dock or vessel. If you are not vaccinated, we recommend you continue to wear a mask on the dock and vessel. *NOTE* – The Empress staff will all be wearing masks for the duration of this event upon special request from the Clemson Family Tailgate.
All Gateway Clipper Fleet Crew will be required to frequently wash hands and use hand sanitizer.
Hand sanitizer will be available on premise for all guests to utilize.
If you are sick, running a fever or are symptomatic in any way, we ask that you do not join us for the event
Should anything change with the current CDC guidelines and/or the State of Pennsylvania, City of Pittsburgh, or Allegheny County prior to your event, you will be notified as to how it may or may not impact the event.
What will the menu be?
Pittsburgh ham BBQ, pulled buffalo chicken sandwich, mac & cheese, pierogis with butter and sauteed onions (a Pittsburgh favorite!), coleslaw and assorted cookies. Unlimited domestic beer, house wine, soda, water, coffee and hot chocolate are included. Craft beer, liquor and additional drinks will be available for purchase. Patrons cannot leave the venue with any alcoholic beverages; all products must be consumed before leaving The Empress.
Is parking available at the North Shore Riverfront Park?
No parking will be available directly at the dock along Riverfront Park, but there are many parking options in walkable distance to both the tailgate and Heinz Field. Here are a few options to check out:
Heinz Field Parking & Directions
Pittsburgh Panthers Gameday Parking Guide (note that the gold star located in front of Heinz Field indicates the “Gateway Clipper Drop-off” which is where The Empress will be docked)
How do I download my mobile ticket for the Clemson Family Tailgate?
STEP 1: LOG IN
- Log in to your account at clemsontigers.com/login from your phone or the Clemson Tickets mobile app.
STEP 2: CHOOSE CLEMSON FAMILY TAILGATE
STEP 3: ADD TO WALLET OR GOOGLE PAY
- Select “add to mobile wallet or Google Pay” to add your ticket to your phone.
STEP 4: REPEAT FOR EACH TICKET(S)
- Repeat the process for any additional tailgate tickets.
How do I transfer my mobile ticket(s) for the Clemson Family Tailgate?
STEP 1: LOG IN
- Login to your account from your mobile device at www.clemsontigers.com/login
STEP 2: TRANSFER YOUR TICKET(S)
- Select your designated event and transfer via SMS delivery. Transfer recipients will receive SMS text messaging that allows them to accept the ticket transfer.
- NOTE: You are not able to take screenshots. You must follow these instructions to transfer tickets. Tickets are non-refundable.
Are tickets to the Clemson vs. Pittsburgh game still available to purchase?
No, Clemson’s allotment of game tickets to the Clemson vs. Pittsburgh game on Saturday, October 23 are sold out.
We Can’t Wait To CU In Pittsburgh!
Heading to Pittsburgh on Friday?!
Be sure to join the Clemson Alumni Association and IPTAY at our Welcome to Pittsburgh Event! Join fellow Tigers for fellowship at Federal Galley (200 Children’s Way, Pittsburgh, PA 15212) on Friday, October 22nd from 6-8 PM. You can find more information about Federal Galley here.
Travel with the Clemson Family
Current Travel Packages available:
Here is an example of an away game travel packages:
- 2 to 3-Nights Hotel Accommodations
- Admission to the Tiger Takeover on the evening before the game
- Access to the Clemson Family Tailgate (if offered)
- Round-trip Gameday Transportation
- Commemorative Souvenir
- Commemorative Credential & Lanyard
- Anthony Travel On-Site Tour Directors
- All Taxes and Fees