Let's be real. There is nothing more annoying than sitting down with a cold drink and a bag of peanuts only to realize you’re three hours early—or worse, the game started at noon and you missed the first five innings. If you are trying to figure out what time is the pirate game, the answer isn't always as simple as "7:05 PM." Baseball schedules are a chaotic mess of regional broadcasts, national TV slots, and those weird getaway day afternoon starts that catch everyone off guard.
The Pittsburgh Pirates are currently navigating a schedule that bounces between the NL Central grind and cross-country interleague play. Because of that, the start times are all over the place. Usually, home games at PNC Park follow a pretty standard rhythm: night games at 6:40 PM or 7:05 PM, and Sunday matinees at 1:35 PM. But then you’ve got those Thursday afternoon "business person specials" where they play at 12:35 PM so the team can catch a flight to Milwaukee or St. Louis.
Finding the Exact Time for the Next Pirates Game
Checking the official MLB schedule is obviously your first move, but it helps to know why the times change. If the Pirates are playing the Dodgers in Los Angeles, don't expect a first pitch until 10:10 PM Eastern Time. It’s a late night. You'll be tired at work the next day. Honestly, that's just part of being a fan.
When the team is at home, the gates usually open 90 minutes before the first pitch. For a 6:40 PM start, that means you should be at the Roberto Clemente Bridge by 5:00 PM if you want to see batting practice. Speaking of that bridge, remember it closes to vehicle traffic on game days. It’s a vibe, truly. Walking across that bridge with the Pittsburgh skyline in the background is easily one of the best experiences in professional sports.
TV Schedules vs. First Pitch
People often get confused because the broadcast start time and the actual first pitch time are different. If Root Sports (or whatever the current regional sports network is branded as this week) says the coverage starts at 6:00 PM, the game probably isn't starting until 6:35 PM or 6:40 PM. Those thirty minutes are filled with pre-game analysis, pitching matchups, and probably a few segments on the latest prospect called up from Triple-A Indianapolis.
If the game is a national broadcast on ESPN or FOX, expect even more of a delay. They love their long introductions. A "7:00 PM" start on Sunday Night Baseball often means the first pitch doesn't cross the plate until 7:15 PM.
Why Do These Times Keep Shifting?
The "getaway day" is the biggest culprit for weird start times. In the MLB, teams rarely play a night game before traveling to a different city for a game the next day. If the Pirates finish a series at home on a Thursday, they will almost certainly play at 12:35 PM or 1:05 PM. This gives the players, coaches, and equipment staff time to pack up, get to the airport, fly to the next city, and get a decent night's sleep before doing it all over again.
Weather also plays a massive role in Pittsburgh. We've all seen the radar. If a massive storm cell is moving through Allegheny County, the Pirates might move a 7:05 PM start to a 7:40 PM start to wait for a gap in the rain.
- Standard Night Games: 6:40 PM or 7:05 PM
- Saturday Games: Usually 4:05 PM or 7:05 PM
- Sunday Games: Almost always 1:35 PM
- Weekday Matinees: 12:35 PM
What Time Is the Pirate Game Today? Specifics Matter
If you're looking for the exact time right this second, you need to account for the opponent. For example, when the Pirates play the Cubs at Wrigley Field, remember that Chicago is on Central Time. A 7:05 PM start in Chicago is an 8:05 PM start for those of us watching in Pittsburgh. It sounds simple, but it’s remarkably easy to forget that one-hour shift until you realize the pre-game show hasn't started yet.
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Then there is the "Pitch Clock" factor. Since MLB implemented the pitch clock, games are significantly shorter. A game that starts at 6:40 PM will likely be over by 9:15 PM. In the old days, you could show up in the third inning and still see two and a half hours of baseball. Now? If you're an hour late, you've missed half the game.
Doubleheaders and Delays
Every now and then, a rainout creates a "split doubleheader." This is where you have two separate games in one day. The first might start at 1:05 PM, and the second at 6:05 PM. Your ticket is usually only good for one of them, so double-check the game number on your digital wallet. If it's a "straight doubleheader," you get two games for the price of one, with the second game starting about 30 minutes after the first one ends.
Essential Fan Tips for Game Day Timing
If you're heading to the ballpark, timing is everything. Traffic coming through the Fort Pitt Tunnel or the Liberty Tunnels is a nightmare starting around 4:30 PM. If you're aiming for a 7:05 PM game, try to get into North Shore by 5:30 PM. This gives you time to find parking (which is getting more expensive every year, let's be honest) and grab a drink at one of the spots near the stadium.
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For those watching from home, the best way to keep track of what time is the pirate game is to sync the schedule to your digital calendar. The MLB app has a feature that lets you do this automatically. It adjusts for your local time zone, which is a lifesaver if you're a Pirates fan living on the West Coast or traveling abroad.
Parking and Entry Logistics
- Gold Lots: These fill up fast. If you aren't there two hours before the game, don't even bother trying.
- Public Transit: The "T" (light rail) is free from downtown to the North Shore. It's the smartest way to get to the game without losing your mind in traffic.
- Digital Tickets: Have your MLB Ballpark app open before you get to the gate. The cell service right outside the stadium can get spotty when 30,000 people are all trying to load their tickets at once.
The Impact of National TV Hooks
Sometimes, networks like Apple TV+ or Roku will pick up a game. These "streaming exclusives" often have non-traditional start times. You might see a Friday night game start at 6:30 PM because that's what the streaming platform requested for their global audience. It’s annoying to hunt down which app has the game, but usually, the Pirates' social media accounts (X and Instagram) are pretty good about posting the specific start time and platform a few hours before first pitch.
Basically, if you're ever in doubt, just check the official Pirates Twitter feed. They post a "Lineup Thread" about two to three hours before every game which always includes the official first pitch time.
Your Game Day Checklist
To make sure you never miss a pitch, follow these steps. First, verify if the game is home or away. That determines the time zone. Second, check the weather forecast for the 15212 zip code. If there's a 70% chance of rain at 7:00 PM, expect a delay. Third, look at the broadcast partner. If it's a national game, add 15 minutes to the "official" start time for the actual first pitch.
If you’re taking the kids, Sunday at 1:35 PM is the gold standard. They let the kids run the bases after the game, which is a core memory kind of thing. Just be prepared for that game to end around 4:00 PM, giving you plenty of time to get home and ready for the school week.
Next Steps for Pirates Fans:
To ensure you stay updated, download the MLB Ballpark App and enable notifications for "Game Start" alerts. This sends a push notification to your phone exactly 30 minutes before the first pitch, regardless of delays or schedule changes. Additionally, if you are planning to attend in person, check the PNC Park Gate Policy the morning of the game, as bag restrictions and entry times can change based on specific stadium promotions or high-attendance events.