Penn State gets approval to move forward with Beaver Stadium renovation

Oct 22, 2022; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; A general view of Beaver Stadium prior to the game between the Minnesota Golden Gophers and the Penn State Nittany Lions. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
By Audrey Snyder
May 5, 2023

Penn State’s Board of Trustees met Friday and approved the athletic department’s requested $70 million, which will be used for design costs, permits, priority maintenance and consultant expenses related to the Beaver Stadium renovation. It’s the first step forward for the long-awaited renovation that is slated to not exceed $700 million.

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“There are several funding avenues for this transformational project,” athletic director Pat Kraft said in a statement. “The additional revenue generated throughout the renovated stadium will not only offset the costs but also enhance our overall athletics budget in the future. … We expect to see significant revenue in sponsorships and third-party contracts, all of which enables Penn State Athletics to remain self-sustaining.”

Here’s what you need to know:

  • The proposed construction timeline for the renovation, which is focused on revamping the stadium’s west side, is scheduled to start in January 2025. The tentative completion date is August 2027. During the renovation the team will continue to play in Beaver Stadium, making it imperative that PSU hits certain construction benchmarks during the offseason.
  • The stadium’s capacity will stay above 100,000 and the traditional bowl-style seating will remain. Club and loge seats and founder’s suites will be added to the west side.
  • Improved Wi-Fi, upgraded concessions and improved bathrooms throughout the stadium are also part of the renovation.
  • While the upcoming design phase, which is slated to begin in June and could last one year, will provide more concrete details, there will be a minimal number of seats on the west side that could be impacted by the renovation during the 2026 season, Kraft said. He said every piece of the renovation needs to be handled delicately so they don’t lose a swath of seats for the 2026 season.

Hosting a College Football Playoff game remains in play

Beaver Stadium has more than $200 million worth of deferred maintenance. In this first phase, some of the funds will be used for winterization. Things such as the insulation of pipes are a priority. In order for Penn State to host a College Football Playoff game, there are necessary steps that need to be taken to make the stadium functional later into the season. Winterization is one of those pressing needs.

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(Photo: Matthew OHaren / USA Today)

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Audrey Snyder

Audrey Snyder has covered Penn State since 2012 for various outlets, including The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, The Patriot-News and DKPittsburghSports. Snyder is an active member of the Association for Women in Sports Media (AWSM) and is the professional adviser for Penn State’s student chapter. Follow Audrey on Twitter @audsnyder4