Date not yet set for Penn State football’s annual Blue-White Game. What we know
Penn State still hasn’t announced a date for the 2026 Blue-White Game. And, while it confirmed Friday there would still be a Blue-White Weekend this spring, it stopped short of confirming whether the annual scrimmage would take place as usual or whether the format might change.
The date for April’s annual scrimmage is typically announced in mid-December. But — with the transition to a new coach in Matt Campbell, who was hired Dec. 5 — that announcement has been delayed by about a month so far.
The Centre Daily Times reached out to both the university and athletic department Wednesday, asking whether the fan-centric scrimmage would still take place or whether any significant changes to the format were expected. The CDT received a response Friday morning that addressed Blue-White Weekend but did not directly address the game itself.
“Penn State Athletics plans to host Blue-White Weekend this spring, with the exact date still to be determined,” an athletic department spokesperson wrote. “The timing of this year’s announcement has been delayed due to the recent coaching change and the logistics involved in finalizing plans. Once details are confirmed, Penn State will share the official date and additional updates.”
When the CDT followed up Friday and asked if the Blue-White Game was still taking place, as it was absent from the above response, a spokesperson said in an email: “There will be an event surrounding football that weekend.”
No other details were provided. It’s unknown if the annual scrimmage will take place as usual or be replaced with something similar.
Blue-White Weekend, which has long been highlighted by the intrasquad scrimmage, has become a popular time for fans and alumni alike to visit campus during the spring. A block party, autograph session and Beaver Stadium run for the Special Olympics are among the events that fans have historically looked forward to.
The first-ever Blue-White Game took place under head coach Rip Engle in 1951. About 500 fans attended the game and, by the 1980s, tens of thousands paid few bucks ($3 in ‘81) to see the scrimmage. It’s only grown since.
The 2026 season will officially kick off Sept. 5, when the Nittany Lions open play at home with a nonconference matchup against the Marshall Thundering Herd.
This story was originally published January 16, 2026 at 4:52 PM.
