Penn State football kicks off its 2022 home schedule at noon on Saturday against Ohio, and with the new season comes changes and new features in and around the stadium.
From parking to pre-game festivities to food, here’s a rundown of what’s new and what to know this fall.
Traffic and parking
• Game day traffic patterns once again will be in effect. View route information at gopsusports.com/gameday. One-way traffic patterns will begin four hours prior to kickoff and 8:30 a.m. for noon games.
• The latest phase of PennDOT’s Atherton Street project is underway. While work is not expected to take place during football weekends, drivers may encounter lane closures. Check penndot.gov/athertonstreet for updated restrictions and visit 511pa.com for the latest travel conditions statewide.
• Day of game parking can no longer be purchased at select lots and can only be purchased (cash or credit) at Lot 36. Game day parking sales will begin when lots open until sold out or kickoff, whichever comes first.
• General parking purchased in advance is $50 per car. Parking purchase on game day when arriving to the general lots will be $60.
• Visit gopsusports.com/gameday for details and to purchase single-game parking.
Ticketing and entry
• Penn State continues to use mobile ticketing, so be sure to have your tickets downloaded to Apple Wallet or Google Pay before you arrive. For step-by-step instructions, visit gopsusports.com/mobiletickets. Phone charging stations are located in and around Beaver Stadium, as well as the external customer relations booths.
• There will be additional magnetometers and signage at various gates this season for improved security screening to streamline gate entry.
• Fans are encouraged to enter the stadium as early as possible and will receive a concessions discount ($1 off every $5 spent) for the first 45 minutes after gates open at select food concessions stands.
• The Penn State Athletics mobile app has moved. Fans who downloaded the app prior to April 28, they are required to download a new app, as the app used last year is no longer supported. If your app is titled “Nittany Lions,” you have the current Penn State Athletics app. If you don’t have the app or are unsure, go to the Google Play or App Store on your phone, search “Penn State Nittany Lions” and download.
• The clear bag policy has undergone several revisions, including an increase in the size of bags allowed. Clear tote bags no larger than 12″ X 6″ X 12″ or resealable 11″X 11″X 0″ one-gallon plastic bags will be permitted this fall. Previously, only the latter were allowed. Small clutches or wristlets sized no larger than 4″ x 6″ x 1″ also will continue to be permitted.
• Gate C on the north side of the stadium has been expanded to ease the entry process and reduce congestion. The expansion also includes extended walkways to improve pedestrian circulation.
Pregame Festivities and Tailgating
• The Beaver Stadium Block Party will take place each week on Curtin Road between University Drive and Porter Road, with activities suchas inflatable games, fan photobooths, food trucks, caricature artists and more. Live music will be featured on the main team arrival stage for all non-noon kickoff games.
• The Team Arrival Pep Rally happens two hours before kickoff and will feature the Penn State Cheerleaders, Lionettes Dance Team, Penn State Blue Band and the Nittany Lion Mascot.
• The Penn State Blue Band marches down the middle of the Block Party about one hour before the start of each game.
• Tailgate cabanas set up along Curtin Road in the heart of the Block Party will be available for rent from REVELxp. Each cabana holds 10-15 fans and includes a tent, tables, chairs, a reserved parking pass and an up-close view of the team walk into the stadium. For rental information contact Sam Starrett at [email protected].
New In-Stadium Food Options
• Local food stand Scott’s Roasting will be serving pork specialties fresh from the family-owned Sylvan Acres Farm— including pulled pork and loose sausage sandwiches, dishes and loaded nachos — at the new farm-to-stadium concession stand sponsored by New Holland and located at field level in the northwest corner of the stadium behind section NC and ND.
• New menu items at select concession stands around the stadium will include:
- Buffalo chicken sandwich served with blue cheese or ranch dressing
- Loaded fries with white cheddar cheese, brisket and a barbecue sauce drizzle
- Bavarian soft pretzel
- Two specialty hot dog locations serving plain, chili cheese, Philly (served with cheesesteak meat and white cheddar) and Pig Skin (served with barbecue pork) dogs.
• Bottled water will be available for purchas at all permanent and temporary concession stands, an addition of 140 points of sale.
• Grab-and-go locations serving snack options will be introduced this season.
