What is the capacity of Beaver Stadium?

Beaver Stadium is the second-largest stadium in the Western Hemisphere and fourth-largest in the world, with a capacity of 106,572. Named for Governor James A. Beaver, it's home to the legendary "White Out" games where over 100,000 fans dressed in white create one of college football's most electric atmospheres.

🏛️History

Origins

Penn State's original Beaver Field opened in 1893 with 500 seats. The current stadium opened in 1960 when the structure was literally disassembled and moved piece by piece to its present location to accommodate campus expansion. It's been expanded multiple times since.

Major Renovations

1969South end zone upper deck added

1978Capacity expanded past 76,000

2001Upper decks expanded to 107,282 capacity

2024$700M renovation approved; west press box demolished January 2025

Notable Moments

Nov 14, 1981Penn State beat #1 Pittsburgh 48-14 in front of 85,000

Oct 27, 2018White Out vs Ohio State drew 110,889—program record at time

Nov 2, 2024Record crowd of 111,030 watched Penn State lose to Ohio State 20-13

🎟️Visitor Guide

Best Seats

Sections between the 30-yard lines offer best sightlines. East sideline (student section) has the most energy; west sideline suits families. Sections WC/WD/WE are ideal for watching the Blue Band halftime show. Bleacher seats are tight (13" wide)—rent seatbacks ($15 cash) at gates B-F.

Parking Tips

Parking passes sell out—buy on StubHub or Facebook groups before game day. East Deck is closest ($40 flat). Downtown garages (Beaver, Fraser, Pugh) offer alternatives. Arrive 3+ hours early; post-game traffic rivals NYC rush hour. Use Pegula Ice Arena for rideshare pickup.

Game Day

Download mobile tickets to your wallet before arriving—no physical tickets accepted. PSUFan WiFi works on concourses but not in seats. For White Out games, wear white head-to-toe. The atmosphere when 100,000+ fans jump in unison is unforgettable—you'll feel the stands shake.