Welcome to Happy Valley, where each Saturday during the fall, this college football mecca comes alive when the Penn State Nittany Lions take the field. Beaver Stadium has been home to the Nittany Lions since 1960 and is one of the largest stadiums in college football. Throughout the past century, the Nittany Lions have played at several facilities, including a stadium also named Beaver Stadium. The original Beaver Stadium was located on the west side of campus and seated 30,000 fans. Named after James Beaver, President of the Penn State Board of Trustees, the Nittany Lions played at the original Beaver Stadium from 1909 until 1959. After the 1959 season, the university decided to disassemble the stadium and move it to its current location. The team played its first game in the rebuilt stadium on September 17, 1960, against Boston University. Beaver Stadium’s horseshoe configuration allowed it to accommodate 46,284 fans.
The first of many expansions to Beaver Stadium was completed in 1969, when the seating capacity increased by 2,000. Several additions followed during the 1970s, increasing the capacity to 57,000. In 1976, the bleachers in the south end zone were expanded. By 1978, the capacity had reached 76,000 after the track was removed and the stadium was cut into sections and raised, allowing new seats to be installed where the track had been. Two years later, the capacity increased to 83,770, and lights were installed in 1984.
An upper deck was added in 1991, increasing the capacity by another 10,000 seats. Continued fan support allowed Penn State to further improve and expand Beaver Stadium. Before the start of the 2001 season, the stadium underwent a massive renovation. The project included a new 10,000 seat upper deck, a new video scoreboard, 60 luxury suites, 4,000 club seats, and upgraded restrooms and concession areas. Before the 2014 season, both video scoreboards were upgraded.
In May 2024, Penn State approved a three phase, $700 million renovation project for Beaver Stadium. Scheduled for completion by the 2027 season, the project includes a new West Tower complex containing 600,000 square feet of space with two stadium clubs, 15 luxury suites, 30 loge boxes, and 4,500 club seats. The project also includes the 21,000 square foot Lubert Family Welcome Center, expanded concourses, upgraded luxury suites, and larger video boards. The stadium will maintain a seating capacity of more than 100,000 throughout the renovations, with temporary seating being installed as needed.
Today, Beaver Stadium is one of the largest stadiums in college football, with a seating capacity of 106,304, trailing only Michigan Stadium, which seats more than 107,000 fans. Because of its enormous size and passionate fan base, Beaver Stadium is considered one of the most intimidating places for opposing teams to play. The famous atmosphere of Happy Valley, combined with more than a century of Penn State football tradition, makes Beaver Stadium one of the most iconic venues in college football.
