For the last 15 years, Penn State men’s hockey coach Guy Gadowsky has been asked by fans how long they’d have to wait to see an outdoor game at Beaver Stadium.
On Saturday, that wait was finally over.
Behind a record-breaking crowd of 74,575, the most to ever attend a Penn State hockey game and the second-most to ever attend a college hockey game, the Nittany Lions fell 5-4 in overtime to Michigan State. Still the game seemed almost secondary to the spectacle of skating on ice within the football stadium.
Some brave fans tailgated in temperatures that hovered around 15 degrees, while many others attended later with puffy winter jackets. Fans also lined up to greet the hockey team that entered the stadium just like the football team — arriving in a blue bus and walking past a line of cheering fans.
Here’s a closer look at the unique and historic hockey game and atmosphere at Beaver Stadium.
The Penn State men’s hockey team wears all white as they walk past fans to Beaver Stadium for the game against Michigan State on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Fans greet the Penn State men’s hockey team at Beaver Stadium for the game against Michigan State on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Jeff Childess warms his hands over the grill after making burgers at his tailgate outside of Beaver Stadium before the men’s hockey game on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
A group of Penn State fans have a bachelor party tailgate outside of Beaver Stadium before the men’s hockey game on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Fans brave the cold to tailgate before the Penn State men’s hockey game at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Penn State men’s hockey players toss a football around before the game against Michigan State at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Penn State men’s hockey players kick around a soccer ball before the game against Michigan State at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Fans cheer for Penn State quarterback Rocco Becht as he walks through the tunnel at Beaver Stadium before the hockey game at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
The Penn State men’s hockey team walks into Beaver Stadium for the game against Michigan State at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Penn State men’s hockey huddles around the net before the game against Michigan State at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
New Penn State football coach Matt Campbell does the ceremonial puck drop for the Penn State men’s hockey game against Michigan State at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Penn State's Casey Aman skates down the ice with the puck ahead of a Michigan State defender during the game at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
A shirtless fan cheers during the Penn State men’s hockey game against Michigan State at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Fans fill Beaver Stadium for the Penn State men’s hockey game against Michigan State on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Ryan and Katie Laubach take a selfie as they enjoy the Penn State men’s hockey game against Michigan State at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
More than 74,000 fans attended the Penn State men’s hockey game against Michigan State at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
The Penn State Blue Band pumps up the crowd during the Penn State men’s hockey game against Michigan State at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Penn State's Gavin McKenna gets a goal in the second period of the game against Michigan State at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Penn State's Gavin McKenna celebrates his goal in the second period of the game against Michigan State at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Penn State's Aiden Fink skates with the puck ahead of Michigan State defenders during the game at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
The Penn State student section cheers during the men’s hockey game against Michigan State at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
More than 74,000 fans attended the Penn State men’s hockey game against Michigan State at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Penn State fans cheer during the men’s hockey game against Michigan State at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Penn State fans cheer during the men’s hockey game against Michigan State at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Penn State's Shea Van Olm shoots for a goal during the third period of the game against Michigan State on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026 at Beaver Stadium. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Penn State's Shea Van Olm celebrates his goal during the third period of the game against Michigan State on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026 at Beaver Stadium. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Penn State's Reese Laubach cuts down the ice with the puck around Michigan State’s Owen West during the game on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026 at Beaver Stadium. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
The puck bounces off the glass during the Penn State vs Michigan State hockey game on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026 at Beaver Stadium. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Penn State fans celebrate a goal during the men’s hockey game against Michigan State on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026 at Beaver Stadium. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Penn State's Jarod Crespo makes a pass around a Michigan State defender during the game on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026 at Beaver Stadium. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Penn State's Aiden Fink skates around Michigan State’s Ryker Lee during overtime of the game on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026 at Beaver Stadium. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
The Penn State men’s hockey team sings the alma mater after the loss to Michigan State on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026 at Beaver Stadium. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
This story was originally published January 31, 2026 at 12:18 PM.
