For 21 years, Pittsburgh’s football stadium was named after one of the most visible food brands in the world. One that had deep local roots. Now, it’s named after an insurance company many people have never heard of. 

Heinz Field will become Acrisure Stadium in 2022 after the Steelers sold the naming rights to the Michigan-based firm for an undisclosed amount. 

And fans absolutely hate it. The name was nearly universally panned after news of the name change trickled out Monday morning. Here’s a sampling of the negative social media reaction from supporters (and at least one former player). 

I can't believe it, it doesn't seem right or real! Home will always be Heinz Field! I will never forget the last game, and all the amazing fans at FOREVER HEINZ! -- Ben.#ForeverHeinz

(Thanks to @ThompsonFoto12 & @YinzerSzn for the great photos!) pic.twitter.com/BnYTDp9zEp

— BigBen7.com (@_BigBen7) July 11, 2022

Ain’t no one calling it Acrisure. It’s Heinz till the day I D.I.E pic.twitter.com/hKIkKe6lgo

— Tone Digs (@ToneDigz) July 11, 2022

Only in Pittsburgh can announcing the naming rights for a stadium immediately become a horrible PR situation for your company. ????☠️#Acrisure

— Bill Crawford (@dveBillCrawford) July 11, 2022

Heinz Field is changing its name to Acrisure Stadium, after its new sponsor, a Michigan-based insurance company.

This is the worst thing to happen to Heinz Field since Bane. pic.twitter.com/ntaZclQoCZ

— Korked Bats (@korkedbats) July 11, 2022

There are an infinite amount of things I love about the #Steelers.

Playing in “Acrisure Stadium” is instantly the single thing I love the least.

— Rick Fish ???? (@rickfish412) July 11, 2022

Absolutely no one will call if Acrisure Field. What a tremendous waste of money by them.

— Justin W. (@NFLGimpy) July 11, 2022

Acrisure Stadium I’m gonna be sick

— Adam Steel (@RenegadeAdam) July 11, 2022

If we bullied Elon Musk away from taking over Twitter I’m confident we can bully Acrisure from taking over Heinz Field.

— Slagatha Snarkness (@RogueRunnerPGH) July 11, 2022

Acrisure Stadium replaces Guaranteed Rate Field as the worst venue name in pro sports https://t.co/j49aemekMm

— Justin (@afc2nfc) July 11, 2022

I will be 6ft in the ground before I ever utter the word “Acrisure”

— Wig (@Gwigggy) July 11, 2022

Acrisure Stadium? WTF! How could Pittsburgh leaders let this happen with all the major corporations based in the area?
Alcoa
Dicks
PPG
UPMC
US Steel
and many more…#Pittsburgh #HeinzField #Steelers

— Doozy_Player???? (@Doozy_Player) July 11, 2022

Cannot WAIT to hear the yinzer pronunciation of “Acrisure” https://t.co/y4g3mmJcnd

— Tracy (@atraceofcool) July 11, 2022

I'm from and live in Michigan. I've never heard of Acrisure. I'm just as confused as you are Pitt

— Will Hubbard ???????????????????????????? (@MailliwDrabbuh) July 11, 2022

Why @steelers why???? Acrisure???? I’m sure I’ll jump on board eventually… But right now I think that’s the most horrible name I’ve ever heard.

— Monica #HereWeGo???????? (@mlouden87) July 11, 2022

Nothing represents the blue collar city of Pittsburgh and the Steelers like the name Acrisure Insurance Stadium.

— B. Miller (@BlaiseInKC) July 11, 2022

If they think for a second any of us are uttering ACRISURE when referring to the Steelers home field… LOL

— ???????????????????? ???? (@Pickett2Pickenz) July 11, 2022

Acrisure sounds like an acupuncture supply store.

This is a lame name, and I almost guarantee people will still call it Heinz. https://t.co/USr7gFWLLG

— Sickos Committee (@SickosCommittee) July 11, 2022

PNC✅
PPG✅
Acrisure❌
This is a rare miss from the #Steelers

— Cameron Blackburn (@CamBlurn) July 11, 2022

Is anyone willing to stand up for the new name? Let us know in the comments below.

Mark Belko

‘I’d rather win football games’: Acrisure steps in at Steelers’ North Shore stadium

Adam Bittner: abittner@post-gazette.com and Twitter @fugimaster24. 

First Published: July 11, 2022, 2:13 p.m.
Updated: July 11, 2022, 2:48 p.m.