'Welcome to Swiftsburgh': Taylor Swift bringing Eras Tour to Acrisure Stadium for first of two sold-out shows
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Tens of thousands of Swifties descended upon Pittsburgh's North Shore and Acrisure Stadium Friday for the first of two sold-out Taylor Swift concerts.
The anticipation for the pop star was so big that Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey officially renamed the city "Swiftsburgh."
The waves and waves of fans will be coming to the Golden Triangle for two shows that many have been anticipating since the concert tour was announced over seven months ago.
On Friday, KDKA-TV talked to fans from Ohio, West Virginia, New Hampshire and Utah. Many said they are going to start crying or pass out when Swift takes the stage.
Parking lots opened at 1:30 p.m. and gates opened at 4:30 p.m.
The show started at 6:30 p.m. and Taylor Swift hit the stage around 8 p.m.
All weekend, only mobile tickets are being honored at the gate, so make sure you download them to your digital wallet before heading to the North Shore. It's a cashless event, so make sure you have a debit or credit card on hand.
Pittsburgh Public Safety says it is prepared for an "unprecedented" number of people coming to the city for the two shows and the events are expected to bring millions of dollars in revenue to the city.
The #Swifties are out in full force, not just inside Acrisure Stadium but packing the lawn outside, Point State Park and by boat on the Allegheny. It's a party in #Swiftsburgh @KDKA #SkyEye2 @lauren_linder pic.twitter.com/vEvybgvm0H
— Ian Smith (@ismithKDKA) June 17, 2023
But before Swift hit the stage, she donated an undisclosed amount to the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank.
"We're so grateful to Taylor Swift for partnering with us to support people in our region who struggle with food insecurity. Her donation will ensure thousands of our neighbors have the food they need to thrive," President and CEO Lisa Scales said.
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