Penn State offers fresh insight into Beaver Stadium plans

Pennsylvania State University has shed further light on the $700m (£555.8m/€667.1m) redevelopment of Beaver Stadium, which seeks to significantly enhance the fan experience and reinforce the 107,000-seat venue’s credentials as one of the most intimidating places to play for a visiting team in the US.

Penn State has declared the Beaver Stadium Revitalization project has entered its next phase of work on the west side of the stadium. Following the 2024 college football season, demolition began with the felling of the press box and removal of the upper deck and several ground level structures.

In May, the University approved the project, pledging that the revamp would retain a 100,000-plus capacity for the venue. The approved renovations are designed to enable year-round use of Beaver Stadium, further driving economic growth and development in the surrounding region, while ensuring it remains a “premier facility” in all of college athletics.

In October 2023, Penn State selected Populous to design a wide-ranging multi-year renovation of Beaver Stadium, the second largest stadium in the US. Penn State also announced the joint venture of Barton Malow, AECOM Hunt and Alexander Construction as the construction manager for the project.

Nations Group, a national owner’s representative firm specialising in assisting universities with the project development and construction management phases of athletics projects, was retained by Penn State as a consultant for the project.

Beaver Stadium opened in 1960 and its last major renovation was in 2001. Redevelopment has been pursued as the cost of developing an entirely new stadium had been projected at between $1.5bn and $2bn.

The demolition of the press box and west side upper bowl, following the 2024 football season, clears the path for the construction on the PAM Health Misitano Family Tower, Schuyler Family Club, Marzano Club and suites levels. In addition, 7,900 temporary bleacher seats will be installed on top of the suite level, and there will be temporary concession and restroom amenities for the season.

Penn State said it is expected Beaver Stadium will maintain a capacity of more than 100,000 throughout the renovation project. The construction footprint will be expanded during the off-season but will shrink to accommodate football game day parking in-season. 

The west side project will encompass the next three football off-seasons and will see enhancements in all aspects of the game day experience. Improved amenities, such as restrooms and concessions, will be introduced as well as improvement in Wi-Fi with 135 new wireless access points and an increased Wi-Fi capacity.

An increased number of concourses, including a Field Level Concourse, Main Concourse and Upper Concourse will more than double the space of the previous concourses on the west side. The revitalisation will increase vertical fan circulation through the addition of escalators, elevators, and pedestrian ramps.

In addition, stadium lighting will be replaced to enhance game day presentation, as will the upgraded north videoboard and new ribbon boards on the west side intermediate and upper bowls. In alignment with Penn State’s commitment to global sustainability, the Beaver Stadium Revitalization will be designed with a high standard for energy efficiency, construction and eventual operation of the stadium with a commitment to achieving LEED certification.

The completed revitalisation will offer a new mix of seating options, with the vast majority – approximately 75% – of seating on the new-look west side being non-premium seats, located in the lower and upper levels.

The west side will also include a variety of premium seating options and amenities more in line with modern stadiums. The premium spaces will include suites, the 20,000-square foot Schuyler Family Club, the 35,000-square foot Marzano Club, and loge boxes. The Schuyler Family Club and Marzano Club will also offer a year-round opportunity for private events.

Set for completion prior to the 2027 season, Pat Kraft, vice-president of intercollegiate athletics at Penn State, said: “The improvements we made on the east side following the 2023 season have enhanced fan experience and circulation throughout the building.

“Our next phase will modernise the west side of Beaver Stadium while maintaining its historic roots. As we continue to make these changes, we only further enhance our stadium, making it one of the most intimidating places to play in the country.

“This project is not just a project for football, it is one that will impact all 31 sports teams at Penn State, our campus community and the Centre Region for years to come.”

Penn State Athletics is one of a handful of self-sustaining intercollegiate athletics departments in the US, which means no tuition dollars or educational budget funds will be used toward the renovations. The entire project is being paid for through fundraising, concessions, naming opportunities, sponsorships and ticket sales, including premium seating options added during the renovation.