Football games can be an expensive outing. Nevermind ticket prices, food and parking alone could run you close to $40. But students can get both of those for free at Pitt games. Football games can be an expensive outing. Nevermind ticket prices, food and parking alone could run you close to $40.

But students can get both of those for free at Pitt games.

In addition to the reasonably priced season tickets, students can get free parking and free tailgate packs before every home game.

The Great Lawn Tailgate is an option for students without cars. Groups of students receive a grill and a tailgate pack, complete with hot dogs, chips, and condiments.

The tailgate starts three hours before the game and, if students leave campus early enough, the buses will drop them off right at the Great Lawn, which is located next to Jerome Bettis’ Grille 36 along the Ohio River. But, starting one hour prior to games, the buses will drop students off at Point State Park and students will have to walk across the Fort Duquesne Bridge to Heinz Field.

“There will be a DJ [at the tailgate] and some sort of live entertainment,” Jonathan Malek, associate director of marketing for Pitt Athletics, said. “We are looking into getting bands.”

But perhaps one of Pitt’s best kept secrets is the free parking for students. Most parking spots on the North Shore cost $20 or more on game days, but starting Wednesday before the games — and Monday before a Thursday game — students can go to the William Pitt Union ticket office and fill out a form to receive a pass.

The passes are limited and are distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. Students need their Pitt ID, license plate number andthe make and model of the vehicle that will be taken to the North Shore.

But the student parking lots are on the far side of PNC Park along Lacock Street underneath the Interstate 279 overpass, which is the farthest lot from Heinz Field.

One prominent issue with student tailgating, though, is underage drinking. Malek said that the University itself doesn’t monitor alcohol at Heinz Field. It is the police’s responsibility. He said that there aren’t any extra penalties for students caught drinking underage at Heinz Field parking lots.

“Students are subject to all of the penalties of normal underage drinking, so I don’t think there is too much tied in with the actual event,” Malek said.

Malek added that they wouldn’t lose their parking privileges or their season tickets.