The Steelers’ 2026 opener is set for Sunday at Acrisure Stadium, and there are still tickets out there for Pittsburgh’s Week 1 matchup with the Atlanta Falcons. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET.
For fans looking to get in the building, the game is available on secondary markets including Vivid Seats, StubHub, SeatGeek and Viagogo. As of Sept. 7, the lowest prices are listed on those resale platforms.
Pittsburgh enters the home opener as a 3.5-point favorite, with 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers back at the center of the offense. The Steelers are hoping to take a step forward after a 2025 season in which they ranked 25th in total offense, 22nd in passing and 15th in scoring during Rodgers’ first year as a starter. Even so, they finished 10-7 and won the AFC North Division.
There’s reason for optimism around the supporting cast, too. The addition of veteran Michael Pittman Jr. to the passing game and Rico Dowdle joining Jaylen Warren in the backfield gives Pittsburgh a different look and a chance to move beyond the middle of the pack.
Atlanta brings its own uncertainty into Week 1. Former Miami Dolphin Tua Tagovailoa was announced as the Falcons’ starter ahead of former first-round pick Michael Penix Jr., leaving questions at quarterback both now and down the road. The roster around them is described as solid, and new head coach Kevin Stefanski will try to put those pieces together on both sides of the ball.
The Falcons closed the 2025 regular season on a four-game winning streak to finish 8-9. That surge wasn’t enough to save former coach Raheem Morris, who was dismissed after going 16-18 over two seasons.
Steelers fans can also look ahead at what’s coming next on the 2026 slate, which includes Week 3 against the Cincinnati Bengals, Week 4 at the Cleveland Browns, Week 5 against the Indianapolis Colts and Week 6 at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Pittsburgh’s schedule also features home dates with the Saints, Browns, Broncos, Texans, Ravens, Panthers and Titans, plus road trips to Cincinnati, Philadelphia and Jacksonville, with a Week 9 bye in the middle.
In Other News...
Steelers Suddenly Face A Mason Rudolph Decision They Didn't Expect
Sam Darnolds hip injury in Seattle has quietly created a ripple effect that reaches all the way to Pittsburgh, where the Steelers are suddenly staring at a quarterback decision they didnt exactly plan for. Darnold was knocked out of the Seahawks season opener and Drew Lock stepped in to help finish off the win, which only sharpened the focus on veteran depth around the league and put a fresh spotlight on Mason Rudolphs place in the Steelers quarterback room.
Pittsburgh is reportedly open to trading Rudolph, and the Seahawks situation could make them a team worth watching if they want a seasoned option behind center. The Steelers currently have four quarterbacks on the roster, and with Seattle dealing with uncertainty under center, Pittsburgh may find itself weighing whether this is the right time to move a veteran or hold tight while the market sorts itself out. [Read more 🡒]
Aaron Rodgers Reignites Ugly NFL Media Fight On Cam Heywards Podcast
Aaron Rodgers used Cam Heywards podcast to reopen a messy corner of NFL media, taking aim at ESPN for what he viewed as silence around the Dianna Russini and Mike Vrabel scandal. The issue first surfaced in April 2026 after photographs of Russini and Vrabel set off an internal investigation, and it has continued to linger because of how it rippled through the media world as much as around the league.
Russini ultimately resigned from The Athletic, even as the outlets final report said her professional reporting was unbiased, and there are now indications she could try to return to NFL media. She also plans to speak publicly about the scandal, which keeps the story very much alive and leaves plenty of questions about how the fallout could shape both her comeback and the broader way football coverage handles its own controversies. [Read more 🡒]
Steelers Opener Suddenly Comes With A Big Tua Concern
The Steelers season opener already has the usual early-week nerves attached to it, and now the spotlight has shifted to Tua Tagovailoa after a concerning moment at Falcons practice. During individual drills, Tagovailoa briefly reached for his back and sat down, then stayed on the field without throwing again during the portion open to reporters, leaving the situation a little murky heading into game week.
Atlanta has not offered an official update, and for Pittsburgh the bigger question is whether the quarterbacks status changes by kickoff. The Falcons have already named Tagovailoa their starter for the opener, with Cooper Rush next in line if needed, but until there is more clarity, the Steelers will be preparing for a game plan that could hinge on how that back issue responds. [Read more 🡒]