Penn State will make history with an outdoor hockey game at Beaver Stadium
The Beaver Stadium at Pennsylvania State University will be the setting for a historic event. For the first time, it will host an ice hockey game, an event that promises to mark a before and after for fans and the university community. The official announcement, made on Friday, revealed that the Nittany Lions men’s and women’s hockey teams will play a double outdoor game on January 31, 2026. The venue will be the West Shore Home Field inside the iconic Beaver Stadium. The men’s team will face Michigan State, in a match that promises to be a clash of titans between two great rivals. For their part, the women’s team will face Robert Morris University, in a duel that promises strong emotions.The Beaver Stadium, with a capacity for more than 106,000 spectators at American football games, could break attendance records at an outdoor hockey event. The current attendance record for an NHL outdoor hockey game is 105,491 fans, set at the 2014 Winter Classic at Michigan Stadium. The stadium has been undergoing a $700 million revitalization project, which is expected to be completed in 2027. The NHL has shown interest in holding an outdoor game at Beaver Stadium once the renovation is finished. Penn State’s college hockey has experienced remarkable growth in recent years. The men’s team has participated in the NCAA tournament four times since 2017 and reached the Frozen Four for the first time last season. The women’s team has won its conference tournament and reached the NCAA tournament for three consecutive seasons. Additionally, the Penn State men’s team surprised the hockey world this summer when Gavin McKenna, a 17-year-old prospect, decided to leave Canadian junior hockey to join the Nittany Lions.This is a historic moment for Penn State hockey, our fans, and the entire university community. Bringing the excitement of college hockey to Beaver Stadium is something truly special.
Dr. Patrick Kraft, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics
