Penn State Makes History with an Outdoor Hockey Game at Beaver Stadium
The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) will mark a milestone in its sporting history by hosting its first ice hockey game at Beaver Stadium. The event, an outdoor double-header, is scheduled for January 31, 2026, as announced by the institution on Friday. The Penn State men’s and women’s hockey teams will face off in a double header at the West Shore Home Field, located within the iconic Beaver Stadium. The men’s team will take on Michigan State, in a duel that promises to be intense given the existing rivalry and the Big 10 tournament championship held by Michigan State. For their part, the women’s team will play against Robert Morris University, a classic rival from the Atlantic Hockey America conference.Since the NHL began holding outdoor games annually in 2008, hockey fans have dreamed of an event at Penn State’s football stadium. A game between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Pittsburgh Penguins, teams with a long history in this type of event, was expected. The Beaver Stadium, with a capacity exceeding 106,000 spectators, could surpass the record for attendance at an outdoor NHL game, set at 105,491 fans during the 2014 Winter Classic at Michigan Stadium. The NHL has considered the possibility of holding an event at Beaver Stadium for the past 17 years, but it had not materialized due to logistical and financial challenges. The Beaver Stadium is in the midst of a $700 million revitalization project, which will extend until 2027. The NHL has shown interest in hosting a game between the Penguins and the Flyers at Beaver Stadium once the renovation is complete. Penn State began its NCAA Division I college hockey program in the 2012-13 season. Both teams have had considerable success 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, losing in the semifinals against Boston University. The women’s team has won its conference tournament and reached the NCAA tournament for three consecutive seasons. The Penn State men’s team surprised the hockey world this summer when 17-year-old prodigy Gavin McKenna decided to leave Canadian junior hockey to join the Nittany Lions. McKenna, a forward, is considered the top prospect to be the first pick in next summer’s NHL draft. According to sources, McKenna’s agreement with Penn State could be around $700,000 in NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness). In addition, Michigan State, which was also interested in signing McKenna, offered between $200,000 and $300,000.“This is a historic moment for Penn State hockey, our fans, and the entire university community,” said Dr. Patrick Kraft, the university’s vice president for intercollegiate athletics. “Bringing the excitement of college hockey to Beaver Stadium is something truly special.”
Dr. Patrick Kraft, vice president for intercollegiate athletics of the university
