The Beaver Stadium Revitalization has entered its next phase of work on the west side of the stadium. Following the 2024 football season, demolition began with the felling of the press box and removal of the upper deck and several ground level structures.
Once completed prior to the 2027 season, the Beaver Stadium Revitalization will transform the fan and community experience and fuel the funding for all 31 athletics programs at Penn State in addition to growing revenue-generating opportunities.
“We are thrilled to share our plans for the west side of our Beaver Stadium Revitalization,” said Pat Kraft, Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics. “The improvements we made on the east side following the 2023 season have enhanced fan experience and circulation throughout the building.
Our next phase will modernize the west side of Beaver Stadium while maintaining its historic roots. As we continue to make these changes, we only further enhance our stadium, making it one of the most intimidating places to play in the country! This project is not just a project for football, it is one that will impact all 31 sports teams at Penn State, our campus community and the Centre Region for years to come.”
Beaver Stadium Revitalization Plan
In May 2024, the Penn State Board of Trustees approved investing in the renovation of Beaver Stadium. The approved renovations will enable year-round use of Beaver Stadium, further driving economic growth and development in the surrounding region.
During the Beaver Stadium Revitalization, there will be 800-1,000 unique tradespeople working on the project each summer and 450 workers on site daily at the peak of the project. These jobs will generate $15 million in economic impact for the region and the first phase of the project saw 75% of the materials and labor procured from Pennsylvania. The project architect is global design firm Populous with its extensive experience in designing sports and entertainment venues. The construction management team is a tri-venture of Barton Malow, AECOM Hunt and Alexander Construction with Nations Group serving as a key consultant in this effort. These companies have a history of working together on multiple athletic facilities over the past 20-plus years.
To date, the project has seen incredible support, led by the $25 million commitment from the Misitano Family and PAM Health. The gift to name the West Tower from the Misitano family and PAM Health is the second-largest in Penn State Athletics history. Athletics also received transformational gifts from Ira Lubert and his wife, Pam Estadt, to name the Lubert Family Welcome Center, Jennifer and Frank Marzano to name the Marzano Club, as well as Matt and Anne Schuyler to name the Schuyler Family Club. Athletics has also received two $10 million gifts from donors who wish to remain anonymous, as well as a $5 million contribution from Playfly Sports.
Beaver Stadium in 2025
Following the 2024 football season, the press box and the west side upper bowl were demolished to clear the path for the construction on the PAM Health Misitano Family Tower, Schuyler Family Club, Marzano Club and suites levels. In addition, 7,900 temporary bleacher seats will be installed on top of the suite level, and there will be temporary concession and restroom amenities for the season.
Seating and Parking Impacts in 2025
It is expected Beaver Stadium will maintain a capacity of more than100,000 throughout the renovation project. Football game day parking and tailgating are not anticipated to be limited during the stadium construction period, however there may be minimal impacts across the construction site. The construction footprint will be expanded during the off-season but will shrink to accommodate football game day parking in-season.
Beaver Stadium’s Revitalized West Side
The project will encompass the next three football off-seasons and will see enhancements in all aspects of the game day experience. Improved amenities, such as restrooms and concessions as well as improvement in Wi-Fi with 135 new wireless access points and an increased Wi-Fi capacity. An increased number of concourses, including a Field Level Concourse, Main Concourse and Upper Concourse will more than double the space of the previous concourses on the west side. The revitalization will increase vertical fan circulation as well with the addition of escalators, elevators, and pedestrian ramps. In addition, stadium lighting will be replaced to enhance game day presentation, as will the upgraded north videoboard and new ribbon boards on the west side intermediate and upper bowls. In alignment with Penn State’s commitment to global sustainability, the Beaver Stadium Revitalization will be designed with a high standard for energy efficiency, construction and eventual operation of the stadium with a commitment to achieving LEED certification.
The completed revitalization will offer a new mix of seating options, with the vast majority – approximately 75% – of seating on the revitalized west side being non-premium seats, located in the lower and upper levels. The west side will also include a variety of premium seating options and amenities more in line with modern stadiums. The premium spaces will include suites, the 20,000-square foot Schuyler Family Club, the 35,000-square foot Marzano Club, and loge boxes. The Schuyler Family Club and Marzano Club will also offer a year-round opportunity for private events.
“Beaver Stadium is home to the best fans in the country, who have created the best environment in college football,” said James Franklin, Penn State head football coach. “These renovations will give Nittany Nation the opportunity to continue bringing the home field advantage in new and improved spaces. We are excited for the impact these renovations will have on our athletics department, the University and our community.”
