Heinz Field Naming Rights Deal Extended

PITTSBURGH, PA — The Steelers have played in Heinz Field for two decades, and the stadium will retain the name at least through 2021. The team and Pittsburgh-based Kraft Heinz on Wednesday announced a one-year extension of the facility's naming rights agreement.

Heinz Field opened in 2001, replacing Three Rivers Stadium, which served as the home of the Steelers and Pirates from 1970 through 2000. Three Rivers, located adjacent to Heinz Field, was imploded in February 2001.

Financial terms of the one-year extension were not announced, and the Steelers and Kraft Heinz did not indicate whether the two sides were close to a long-term extension of the naming rights deal.

Heinz reportedly paid $57 million for the rights two decades ago, but such agreements have gotten considerably more expensive since then.

SoFi reportedly is spending $30 million a year for 20 years for the rights to the new NFL stadium that is home to the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers. Allegiant Airlines is spending likely up to $25 million per year for the new NFL building near Las Vegas.

Heinz and Kraft merged in 2015 but the Kraft name was not added to the Steelers' stadium, which also is home to the University of Pittsburgh football team,.