What to know about tickets, parking and more for Penn State’s ‘Winter Sports Weekend’
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- A busy weekend is on tap for Penn State, including ice hockey games at Beaver Stadium.
- Fans should plan ahead for parking and family-friendly events before sporting events.
- Other events include winter sports games and a Jason Aldean concert.
As Happy Valley digs itself out of its largest snowstorm in years, an eventful weekend is approaching quickly.
Big-name concerts and sporting events are on tap in State College over the next few days. Chief among them is Penn State’s outdoor hockey games at Beaver Stadium, which includes the men’s hockey team facing Michigan State at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31.
From a schedule of notable events to parking changes, here’s what you need to know if you’re visiting Happy Valley this weekend.
Jason Aldean rocks the BJC
Grammy-nominated country star Jason Aldean will bring his 2026 “Full Throttle” tour to the Bryce Jordan Center on Thursday, Jan. 26. The show also includes performances by Nate Smith, Lanie Gardner and Dee Jay Silver.
Though tickets for Penn State students are sold out, public tickets are still available through Ticketmaster starting at roughly $50.
Aldean’s concert will begin at 7:30 p.m., though doors to the arena will open at 6 p.m.
Parking for the show is available in the Jordan East, Stadium West and Porter North commuter lots, the Bryce Jordan Center said. Notably, cash payments are not accepted on event nights.
Hockey takes over Beaver Stadium
Penn State’s hockey teams are embracing the winter elements this weekend.
Beaver Stadium, the Nittany Lions’ famed football field, will play host to a series of hockey games, including marquee matchups for Penn State’s men’s and women’s hockey teams. The outdoor rink will also host Penn State’s club hockey team, the State College Youth Ice Hockey Association (SCYIHA) teams and the State College Area High School’s varsity hockey team.
Men’s hockey at Beaver Stadium
Arguably the biggest event of the weekend, the Nittany Lions’ matchup against Michigan State on Saturday will bring thousands of fans to Beaver Stadium.
Starting at 7 a.m., fans can park in paved and plowable lots around the stadium and in surrounding areas, Penn State said. An online map shows specific lots and pricing, which ranges from $40 to $100 per parking pass. Penn State said all paved and accessible parking around the stadium is already sold out as of Monday, but day-of-game parking will be available at campus parking decks.
Fans who frequently tailgate at Beaver Stadium should note RV and bus parking is not available for the hockey game, according to the university.
Additionally, the hockey games at Beaver Stadium will still follow its usual bag policy, which allows only clear tote bags sized 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches. Small clutches or wristlets sized 4 inches by 6 inches by 1 inch are allowed, too.
Penn State’s men’s hockey team will arrive at Beaver Stadium at 11 a.m. with a warm welcome from the Nittany Lions’ cheerleaders, Lionettes dance team, Penn State’s Blue Band and the Nittany Lion mascot. Just like before a football game, buses will drop the team off at the intersection of Porter and Curtin roads.
Women’s hockey at Beaver Stadium
Penn State’s women’s hockey team will head outdoors to face Robert Morris at 1 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 30.
Parking for the game is available at the Stadium West, Jordan East and Porter North lots for $10 through the HONK mobile app. Fans can purchase parking passes early for a discounted $5.60 rate.
Unlike the men’s team’s matchup, the women’s team’s game at Beaver Stadium is free for the public to attend. Seating is available on the stadium’s eastern side in sections ED, EE and EF.
Public skates and family fun
Penn State will open Beaver Stadium’s ice rink for public skating sessions this week.
Interested skaters were able to register for one of four sessions: 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 28, 7:45 to 8:45 p.m. on Jan. 30, 8:15 to 9:15 p.m. on Jan. 31 and 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. on Feb. 1. Each hour-long session was available for a $30 admission fee, which includes skate rentals.
As of Monday, all four sessions are already at capacity, according to the registration site. Up to 250 skaters were able to register for each session.
If you missed your chance to sign up for a skating slot, there’s plenty more to do at Penn State’s new “indoor bubble” — the $9.8 million multi-sport indoor practice facility at the corner of Curtin Road and University Drive. There, families can stop by for a wide range of snacks, drinks and activities.
The bubble is open for “weekend fan hospitality” from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. Fans can chow down on popcorn, cookies and brownies, browse nearby food trucks and even grab a beer, mixed drink or spiked hot chocolate at a bar there. The bubble will also host exclusive merchandise, a children’s play area, an equipment sale and must from a DJ.
Penn State will host a pep rally inside the bubble at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday.
Penn State’s All-Sports Museum will open for fans from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday. The museum will also open Saturday for only men’s hockey game attendees, who can use Beaver Stadium’s south end elevator to visit before returning to the concourse.
Penn State’s ‘Winter Sports Weekend’
Hockey’s takeover at Beaver Stadium comes as Penn State hosts its first-ever Winter Sports Weekend, a three-day window featuring 15 athletic events.
The Nittany Lions’ hockey, men’s volleyball, men’s basketball, men’s lacrosse, wrestling, track and field, tennis and swimming and diving teams will compete at the following events throughout the weekend:
Friday, Jan. 30
- All day — Track and field hosts the Penn State National Open at the Multi-Sport Facility
- 1 p.m. — Women’s ice hockey vs. Robert Morris at Beaver Stadium
- 6 p.m. — Men’s ice hockey vs. Michigan State at Pegula Ice Arena
- 6 p.m. — Men’s volleyball vs. Hawaii at Rec Hall
- 8 p.m. — Wrestling vs. Nebraska at the Bryce Jordan Center
Saturday, Jan. 31
- All day — Track and field hosts the Penn State National Open at the Multi-Sport Facility
- 10 a.m. — Men’s and women’s swimming and diving vs. George Washington at McCoy Natatorium
- 10 a.m. — Men’s tennis vs. St. Joseph’s at the Penn State Indoor Tennis Center
- 1 p.m. — Men’s ice hockey vs. Michigan State at Beaver Stadium
- 3 p.m. — Men’s tennis vs. Mt. St. Mary’s at the Penn State Indoor Tennis Center
- 5 p.m. — Men’s volleyball vs. Hawaii at Rec Hall
- 6 p.m. — Women’s ice hockey vs. Robert Morris at Pegula Ice Arena
Sunday, Feb. 1
- Noon — Men’s lacrosse vs. Colgate at Holuba Hall (location was moved inside due to potential inclement weather)
- 1 p.m. — Men’s gymnastics vs. Illinois at Rec Hall
- 2 p.m. — Men’s basketball vs. Minnesota at the Bryce Jordan Center
Penn State is offering “ticket flex plans” that provide admission to two or three different evens throughout the weekend. A two-game package offers a ticket for the men’s hockey game at Beaver Stadium and your choice of Friday night’s wrestling dual ($77) or men’s basketball on Sunday ($51). A three-game package bundles Penn State wrestling’s dual against Nebraska on Friday, the men’s hockey game at Bevaer Stadium on Saturday and the men’s basketball game on Sunday for $99.
This story was originally published January 27, 2026 at 5:41 AM.
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