Penn State football returns to Beaver Stadium. Here’s where to park and what it costs
Penn State’s 2024 football season is already off to a strong start after the No. 8-ranked Nittany Lions defeated West Virginia University on the road Aug. 31. Now, football finally returns to Happy Valley with a long-awaited home game at Beaver Stadium.
Following improvements and renovations around Beaver Stadium this offseason, fans heading to games this fall might need a refresher on all things traffic and parking. Knowing where you’re heading and when to get there can make a big difference in planning your trip and making sure you don’t miss kickoff.
Here’s what you need to know about getting to Beaver Stadium and parking at football games this fall.
How can I pay for parking?
Fans can purchase single-game parking passes for lots 11, 25, 33 and 34 ahead of each Penn State home game. These passes start at $50 each, but feature variable pricing that may fluctuate as demand grows and supply shrinks.
Single-game advanced parking sales are available online until 15 days before each game. During the two weeks leading up to each game, fans can buy single-game advanced parking passes at Bryce Jordan Center’s box office between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday while supplies last.
Day-of-game parking, meanwhile, is also subject to availability and offered for only lots 25 and 36. These passes are also variably priced, but start at $80. To reach these lots, Penn State recommends following signs for the N zone until reaching Park Avenue, then following signs for day-of-game parking sales at Lot 25 or Lot 36.
When do stadium lots open?
Just like last year, Beaver Stadium lots will open at 7 a.m. ahead of noon football games and at 8 a.m. for all other kickoff times. Penn State’s overnight RV lots open at 6 p.m. the Thursday before each game and close by about 4 a.m. Saturday.
When do modified traffic patterns begin?
Penn State implements a one-way traffic pattern around Beaver Stadium before and after all home football games.
The pattern begins 2.5 hours before each game kicks off. One-way traffic patterns following each game run for between roughly 60 and 90 minutes. Once it ends, fans are able to exit their assigned lot and leave the stadium area through any route.
While one-way traffic patterns are in effect, fans driving to the game should make sure they follow the entry point for their assigned parking zone:
- N zone permit holders should follow Fox Hollow Road
- E zone permit holders should follow Park Avenue from Interstate 99
- S zone permit holders should follow Porter Road
- W zone permit holders should follow Park Avenue from South Atherton Street
How can I find my parking spot?
Football parking splits the Beaver Stadium area into four zones — North, South, East and West — that fans can access from different routes.
Before heading to the big game, fans who paid for parking in advance should look at their passes and see their zone and lot information. The same applies for fans parking in the RV lots, but note day-of-game parking is not offered for those vehicles.
You should be able to access each zone through the following routes before following signage to your assigned lot:
- Access the North zone through Fox Hollow Road by traveling south from Toftrees Avenue, Waddle Road, Interstate 99 or U.S. Route 322
- Access the South zone through Porter Road by traveling north from College Avenue
- Access the East zone through Park Avenue by traveling west from Interstate 99 and U.S. Route 322
- Access the West zone by traveling east from South Atherton Street and U.S. Route 322
Accessible parking options near Beaver Stadium
Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible parking is available largely in the West zone, Penn State says. Accessible parking is offered at the Shields Building, Wagner Building, IM Building, Nittany Lion Softball Park and Katz Building lots, where eligible patrons can park on a first-come, first-served basis before each game.
Day-of-game accessible parking is available at Penn State’s East Parking Deck, where tailgating is prohibited.
Penn State will operate a designated shuttle for fans with disabilities and one companion. Shuttles start 2.5 hours before each game from the Shields Building, Wagner Building, IM Building, and Nittany Lion Softball Park lots, four hours before each game for the Katz Building lot and two hours before each game for the East Deck. Shuttles will drop passengers off on Curtin Road near Beaver Stadium’s Gate B.
Penn State offers a free, expanded fan assistance shuttle starting two hours before each game begins. Pickup locations are spread throughout the tailgate lots, according to a service map, which shuttles are expected to arrive at roughly every 30 minutes.
Additionally, Penn State offers a ride-share drop-off and pick-up zone along Hastings Road south of Beaver Stadium. Unless you’re walking from home, this is likely your best bet to avoid parking fees and traffic if you’re heading to the game.
Fans should note Beaver Stadium’s Family-Friendly lot, which prohibits alcohol, moved this year. It is now located north of the Katz Building between lots 11 and 12, not in the South zone near University Drive.
How else can I get to Penn State football games?
Penn State offers parking at all five of its parking decks, but fans should note tailgating is prohibited. Here’s a look at the fee schedule for football weekends:
- Parking on home football game Saturdays at the East, HUB and Nittany parking decks costs $2 for the first hour and $1 for the second hour if parked for less than two hours. The fee jumps to $40 if vehicles are parked for more than two hours. A $16 daily maximum applies for all other days.
- Parking on home football game Saturdays at the West Deck costs $2 for the first hour and $1 for the second hour if parked for less than two hours. Parking costs $25 if vehicles are parked for more than two hours. A $16 daily maximum fee applies for all other days.
- Parking at the Eisenhower Deck is available Friday through 11:59 p.m. Sunday for $45. Home football game Saturday-only parking costs $40, payable through cash only upon entry.
The Centre Area Transportation Authority is again offering a low-cost shuttle service for fans heading to Beaver Stadium for Penn State football games. The Downtown Shuttle will service downtown State College’s hotels and parking garages, while the South Atherton Shuttle will serve other area hotels, parking lots and shopping centers.
CATA’s football shuttles begin running three hours before kickoff and run continuously until one hour after each game ends. Once games end, the shuttles run one-way from the stadium only.
Fares for CATA’s football shuttle start at $2.20 per trip or $6 for an all-day pass. Children and seniors can ride for free, while those receiving Medicaid and some other benefits are eligible for $1 reduced fares.
CATA’s Blue Loop, White Loop and Red Link buses will operate on home football Saturdays with some adjustments to service. These bus loops are free to the public and serve downtown State College and Penn State’s campus.
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