Outdoor Hockey at Beaver Stadium: A Historic Event for Penn State
The Beaver Stadium at Pennsylvania State University is preparing for an unprecedented sporting milestone: its first ice hockey game. The announcement, made on Friday, details an outdoor double-header event that promises to thrill fans on January 31, 2026. The Penn State men’s and women’s hockey teams will be the protagonists of this historic day at the West Shore Home Field of Beaver Stadium. The men’s team will face Michigan State, in a match that revives the rivalry between the two, with Michigan State being the current two-time champion of the Big 10 tournament. For their part, the women’s team will face Robert Morris University, a classic of the Atlantic Hockey America conference.The Beaver Stadium’s capacity for football games exceeds 106,000 spectators. The attendance record for an outdoor NHL hockey game is 105,491 fans, set at the 2014 Winter Classic at Michigan Stadium. The NHL has considered holding an event at Beaver Stadium for the past 17 years. The Beaver Stadium is currently undergoing a $700 million revitalization project, which is expected to be completed in 2027. The NHL is interested in holding an outdoor game between the Penguins and the Flyers at Beaver Stadium after the renovation is finished. Penn State’s college hockey has experienced significant growth since it began competing in NCAA Division I in the 2012-13 season. The men’s team has participated in the NCAA tournament on four occasions since 2017 and reached the Frozen Four for the first time last season, losing in the semifinals to Boston University. The women’s team has won its conference tournament and reached the NCAA tournament for three consecutive seasons. To add even more anticipation, Gavin McKenna, a 17-year-old prodigy, decided to join the Nittany Lions, leaving Canadian junior hockey. McKenna, projected as the first overall pick in next summer’s NHL draft, has generated great interest. According to sources, McKenna’s NIL deal to attend Penn State is around $700,000. Michigan State, which was also looking to sign McKenna, offered an NIL deal between $200,000 and $300,000, which adds an extra element of interest to the game at Beaver Stadium.This is a historic moment for Penn State hockey, our fans, and the entire Penn State community. Bringing the excitement of college hockey to Beaver Stadium is something truly special.
Dr. Patrick Kraft, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics at the University
