You’ve heard the rumors. You’ve seen the black and gold jerseys starting to pop up at gas stations along Route 30. But if you’re asking when is steelers training camp, you’re probably looking for more than just a date on a calendar. You want to know when the pads actually pop and when you can finally get that T.J. Watt autograph for your kid.
Steelers training camp isn't just a practice. It’s a pilgrimage. For over 50 years, the team has decamped to the rolling hills of Latrobe, specifically Saint Vincent College. It’s one of the few truly "old school" camps left in the NFL. Most teams stay at their fancy billion-dollar facilities. Not the Steelers. They sleep in dorm rooms with no AC and walk down the famous hill to the grass fields.
Honestly, the schedule usually follows a very specific rhythm.
The Calendar for Steelers Training Camp
Typically, the team reports in the final week of July. In 2025, players officially reported on Wednesday, July 23, with the first public practice kicking off on Thursday, July 24. If you're planning for the 2026 cycle, you can bet your Terrible Towel that the dates will fall in that same window—roughly July 22 to July 25 for the start.
The sessions usually run for about three weeks. It’s not a marathon; it’s a sprint. By the time mid-August hits, the team is packing up and heading back to the South Side.
- Reporting Day: Mid-to-late July (Veterans and Rookies usually report together).
- First Open Practice: Usually 24 hours after reporting.
- The "Heat" of Camp: The first week of August is when things get real.
Why the First Week is Different
Don't expect a bloodbath on day one. The NFL has strict "ramp-up" rules now. The first few days are "acclimatization" periods. Players wear helmets but no pads. It looks like a glorified track meet.
If you want to see real football, you wait for the "Padded Heat." For example, during the 2025 camp, the first padded practice didn't happen until Tuesday, July 29. That is when the "Back on the Fields" energy turns into the "Oklahoma Drill" energy.
When is Steelers Training Camp Open to the Public?
Most practices are open to the public, but you can’t just roll up and sit down anymore. The days of just showing up are mostly over. You need a ticket.
The good news? They’re free.
The bad news? They go fast. The Steelers usually release these via Ticketmaster in late June. If you miss that window, you’re basically scouring secondary markets or hoping a friend has a spare.
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A Typical Day in Latrobe
Practices almost always start at 1:55 p.m. It’s a weirdly specific time, right? It’s a Mike Tomlin staple.
The gates usually open around noon. If you want a spot on the bleachers or a prime piece of grass on the hillside, you need to be in line way before that. Most fans start hovering around the Saint Vincent entrance by 10:30 a.m.
Basically, if you arrive at 1:30 p.m., you’re going to be staring at the back of someone’s head.
The "Friday Night Lights" Tradition
You can't talk about when is steelers training camp without mentioning the Latrobe Memorial Stadium practice. This is the crown jewel.
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Once a year—usually the first Friday in August—the team leaves the college and heads to the local high school stadium. It’s under the lights. It’s packed. It feels like a Friday night in a small Texas town, but with more pierogies.
In 2025, this went down on August 1. It’s the one practice where the energy is at a literal 10. The players love it because it’s the first time they’ve been in a stadium environment all year.
Expert Tips for the Trip
If you’re going, bring water. A lot of it. The Saint Vincent hillside is beautiful, but it’s a sun-baked oven in late July. There is almost zero shade.
Also, keep an eye on the weather. If it rains, they often move practice to a closed facility or the indoor turf. They don’t always announce this until the last second. I’ve seen fans drive three hours only to find out the team is practicing behind closed doors because of a thunderstorm. Check the Steelers' official social media at 11:00 a.m. sharp every day.
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Actionable Next Steps:
- Mark your calendar for the last week of June. This is when the free tickets typically drop on Ticketmaster. Set an alert.
- Download the Steelers Mobile App. It’s the only way to get real-time weather updates and schedule changes while you're driving to Latrobe.
- Plan your arrival for 11:00 a.m. Even though practice starts at 1:55 p.m., the parking lots fill up, and the walk from the grass lots to the fields is longer than you think.
- Check the "Reporting Date" in early July. Once the NFL officially announces reporting dates for all teams, you can lock in your hotel or Airbnb in the Greensburg/Latrobe area before the prices spike.