Nothing beats the sound of Steelers football. Honestly, if you've ever spent a Sunday afternoon in the Strip District or stuck in traffic on the Parkway East, you know that the radio broadcast is the heartbeat of the city. Television is fine for the visuals, but there’s a specific grit to the radio call that just feels more... Pittsburgh.
If you are scrambling to find out what radio station is the pittsburgh steelers game on, the short answer is 102.5 WDVE and 970 AM WBGG (Fox Sports Pittsburgh). These are the flagship homes for the Black and Gold. They have been for years. They likely will be for a long time.
But it's not always as simple as just turning a dial, especially if you’re out in the Laurel Highlands or, heaven forbid, living deep in Ravens territory. Radio signals are finicky. Digital streams have weird "blackout" rules. And if you’re looking for that legendary voice you grew up with, things have changed recently in the booth.
Finding the Signal: Flagship Stations and the Network
The Pittsburgh Steelers Radio Network is a massive beast. It stretches across Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, and even bits of Maryland and Virginia. In the immediate Pittsburgh area, your best bet is always 102.5 FM WDVE. It’s high-power, it’s iconic, and it carries the full pre-game and post-game shows.
If you prefer AM or want a slightly different sports-talk vibe leading up to kickoff, 970 AM WBGG is your secondary flagship.
Outside of the city? You’re looking for an affiliate. There are roughly 50 stations in the tri-state area that carry the games. Here is the general lay of the land for 2026:
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- Altoona: 104.9 FM (WRKY)
- Erie: 104.9 FM (WRKT)
- Johnstown: 99.1 FM (WRKW)
- Wheeling, WV: 107.5 FM (WEGW)
- Youngstown, OH: 1390 AM (WNIO)
Basically, if you’re driving through the Rust Belt on a Sunday, just hit "scan." You’ll probably hit a Steelers broadcast within thirty seconds. It’s hard to miss.
The New Voices in the Booth
We have to talk about the voices. For decades, Bill Hillgrove was the undisputed king of the airwaves. When he retired in early 2024, it felt like the end of an era. It was. But the new crew has settled in quite nicely.
Rob King is now the lead play-by-play man. He’s smooth, professional, and has that classic "big game" energy. Joining him as the primary color analyst is former Steelers offensive tackle and two-time Super Bowl champ Max Starks.
Max took over for the late, great Craig Wolfley, who we sadly lost in March 2025. Starks brings a huge amount of technical knowledge to the booth. He doesn’t just tell you a play was a "run to the left"; he tells you exactly which lineman missed a seal block or why the defensive end was leaning. It’s high-level football talk delivered in a way that doesn't feel like a lecture.
Missi Matthews remains the sideline reporter, providing those crucial injury updates and "on the grass" observations that the guys in the booth might miss from the press box.
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How to Listen Online (and Why It’s Kinda Complicated)
You’d think in 2026 it would be easy to just go to a website and click "play." Well, it is and it isn't. Because of NFL broadcasting rights, there are some hoops.
If you are in the Pittsburgh market, you can usually stream the game through the Steelers Official Mobile App or via Steelers.com. It’s free. It’s easy. It’s right there.
However, if you are outside of the local "geofence," those streams might be blocked. This is where Steelers Nation Radio (SNR) comes in. SNR is a 24/7 digital station. On game days, they provide pre-game coverage and post-game analysis globally. But for the actual live play-by-play? You might get redirected or blocked depending on your IP address.
The SiriusXM Option
If you're a traveler, SiriusXM is the most reliable way to ensure you never miss a snap.
- Home Games: Usually found on channel 225.
- Away Games: Usually found on channel 380.
- App Users: Just search "Steelers" in the SiriusXM app.
The beauty of the satellite option is that you can often choose between the "Home" and "Away" broadcasts. No offense to the other team's announcers, but we all know which one we want to hear.
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Common Misconceptions About Steelers Radio
One thing people always get wrong: they think they can listen to the radio broadcast while watching the TV to get better commentary. You can try. But the delay is brutal.
The digital TV signal is almost always 10 to 20 seconds behind the terrestrial radio signal. By the time you see George Pickens make a sideline catch on your 4K screen, Rob King has already finished screaming about it on 102.5. If you have a high-end receiver with a "delay" function, you can sync them up. Otherwise, it's a spoiler-filled nightmare.
Another thing? People think 102.5 WDVE is only for rock music. On Sundays, it's 100% football. Don't expect to hear Led Zeppelin between quarters.
Actionable Steps for Game Day
If you're getting ready for kickoff, here is exactly what you should do to ensure you're tuned in:
- Test your hardware early. If you’re using an old-school transistor radio (the best way to avoid delays), make sure the batteries aren't corroded.
- Download the iHeartRadio App. Both WDVE and WBGG are iHeart stations. It’s the most stable way to stream if you’re using your phone.
- Check the local affiliate list. If you’re traveling through the mountains, the FM signal will drop. Know the AM affiliate frequencies for your route ahead of time.
- Sync with SNR. Tune into Steelers Nation Radio about two hours before kickoff. Their pre-game show is actually better than most national TV pre-games because they focus exclusively on the roster nuances.
Steelers football is a ritual. Whether you're listening on a dusty shop radio or a high-end smartphone, the connection to the team remains the same. Just find that 102.5 frequency and let Rob and Max take it from there.