Penn State’s new $9.8M sports ‘bubble’ is now up. Here’s how it will be used
Penn State’s new “indoor bubble” was installed and should be ready for use in the coming weeks.
The $9.8 million bubble, located across from the Jeffrey Soccer Complex, is an indoor practice facility that multiple varsity sports teams will use. Between January and March, 10 different programs use Holuba Hall for practice space, leading to limited practice windows. But the indoor bubble — resembling the “bubble” practice facilities for NFL teams — will help alleviate that.
“Once finished, the indoor practice bubble will create additional and longer practice windows for teams by alleviating the scheduling stress and limited practice facilities, particularly in the winter and early spring months,” a university spokesperson said Monday.
The turf pitch is 394 feet by 295 feet, and the bubble is 80 feet tall, a spokesperson confirmed.
Although the turf was installed over the summer and protective netting was put up around the field to prevent balls from flying out of the area, the dome-like structure was just recently installed. The project isn’t complete and facility isn’t ready for use yet, as some components are still in progress, a spokesperson.
“Electrical and lighting work is currently taking place to ensure Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics can begin using the facility this winter. Expected completion is tracking for early-to-mid November,” the spokesperson.
The project was approved by the Penn State board of trustees in 2023, alongside a handful of other athletics projects.
