PITTSBURGH — A fan at a Pittsburgh Penguins game was taken to the hospital with “life-threatening injuries” on Monday night after falling from the upper deck at PPG Paints Arena, the third time this year — and the second time in three days — that a person has been hospitalized after a high fall at one of the city’s sporting venues.
Monday night’s fall took place just 55 seconds into the first period — around 7:10 p.m. — after Anthony Mantha scored to give the Penguins a 2-0 lead vs. the St. Louis Blues.
According to a news release from Pittsburgh’s Public Safety Department, initial reports indicate that the fan fell from the 200 level of the arena and struck another individual located in the suite level below before continuing to fall to the 100 level.
The fan landed in the accessible area of Section 101, approximately 25 rows behind the Penguins’ bench. Witnesses said the man appeared to be unconscious when medical personnel on hand at the arena rushed to his aid.
The fan was taken to an area hospital, according to a statement from the team.
“Although there is no further information at this time, the Penguins and OVG Management Group are closely monitoring the situation,” the statement reads. “Our concerns remain with the individual and his family at this time.”
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) October 28, 2025
The other individual who was struck during the incident declined to be taken to the hospital after being evaluated by paramedics.
On Saturday night, in the hours before the Steelers played the Green Bay Packers at Acrisure Stadium, a worker fell 50 feet off the scoreboard onto a mid-level catwalk. Rescue medics were able to reach him and lower him to safety. He was transported to an area hospital and is in critical condition, according to a post from Pittsburgh Public Safety on X.
In April, a fan at a Pirates game against the Chicago Cubs fell more than 20 feet from the right field seats at PNC Park and onto the warning track. The fan, 20-year-old Kavan Markwood, injured his skull, spine, ribs and lungs and had a lengthy stay in the hospital before being released.
Monday night’s Penguins game was not stopped during the incident, as few people in the building seemed aware of what was happening. Some fans sitting in the vicinity took to social media to highlight what they had witnessed.
After the game, Penguins star Sidney Crosby, who became the fourth-fastest player in NHL history to record 1,700 career points, expressed concern for the injured fan.
“We just heard someone fell tonight,” Crosby said. “Doesn’t feel right to be talking about points.”
Penguins coach Dan Muse started his postgame press conference by commenting on the incident.
“Right after the game, we were informed that a fan fell,” Muse said. “Just want to start off by saying thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. They call came here for a sport, a game, and to hear something like that, that kind of puts everything else aside.”
