UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.– The No. 8 Penn State football team hosts Michigan State Saturday in the Nittany Lions' 99th Homecoming contest and Penn State Stripe Out. Kickoff for the BTN national telecast is set for 3:30 p.m. in Beaver Stadium.
Patrons should check their tickets or visit PennStateStripeOut.com before leaving home to see whether fans in their section are wearing blue or white for the Varsity "S" Day contest.
The Penn State-Michigan State game, presented by AT&T, will air on BTN, GoPSUsports.com, the Penn State Sports Radio Network (2 p.m. airtime) and SiriusXM Ch. 83.
Game Day Parking Exhausted for Michigan State Game
Penn State announced today that all game day parking has been exhausted for Saturday's game vs. Michigan State. Fans attending Saturday's contest who do not have a parking permit will not be able to purchase a permit for the Beaver Stadium parking lots the rest of the week, including Saturday. Several options for fans who do not have a parking permit are listed below.
Parking Options for Fans Who Don't Have a Pre-Paid or Advance Parking Permit for Michigan State
Fans who don't have a pre-paid or advance parking permit for the Michigan State game are encouraged to carpool or consider other options to get to Beaver Stadium, including:
- CATA Game Day Shuttle – two routes to Beaver Stadium (catabus.com)
- On campus in the Eisenhower, HUB or Nittany decks and walking or taking CATA Blue or White Loop (parking fee at all campus decks);
- Lot Red A, located west of North Atherton Street by the Westgate Building and walking or taking CATA Red Link (parking fee at Lot Red A);
- Several downtown parking garages have hourly rates, including the Beaver Avenue, Fraser Street, McAllister Street and Pugh Street Garages, on a first-come, first-served basis. Fans can walk from the garages, take the CATA Game Day Shuttle or CATA Blue or White Loop to Beaver Stadium;
- Uber (drop off and pick up locations near stadium);
- Grange Park (car and RV park and ride shuttle provided by Cole Transportation; fee for parking and shuttle on Friday/Saturday; grangefair.com).
All parking permits for the Michigan State game that were purchased via 1-800-NITTANY earlier this week were fulfilled and shipped via express mail.
Parking and Traffic Changes set for Friday's Men's Hockey Game and Homecoming Parade
Fans planning to attend any of Friday's events on the east side of the Penn State campus are encouraged to arrive early and take note of changes that will assist with traffic flow and parking.
With Penn State's annual Homecoming Parade starting Friday at 6 p.m., several traffic and parking restrictions will be in place for the men's hockey game vs. Clarkson at 7 p.m. at Pegula Ice Arena. Additionally, the women's soccer team hosts Maryland Friday at 7 p.m. on Jeffrey Field, a short distance from the parade route and hockey game.
For more information on Friday's parking and traffic changes, go to:
GoPSUsports.com/news/2018/10/10/general-parking-and-traffic-changes-set-for-fridays-mens-hockey-game-and-homecoming-parade.aspx
BTN Tailgate Originating from Outside Bryce Jordan Center Saturday at 10 a.m.
BTN Tailgate will originate Saturday from 10 a.m.-Noon and fans are invited to attend the free event. The program will be located just outside Gate B at the Bryce Jordan Center, as part of Fan Fest on Curtin Road. BTN Tailgate is hosted by Dave Revsine, with analysts Gerry DiNardo, Howard Griffith and former Nittany Lion NFL first round selection Anthony "Spice" Adams. Michelle McMahon is the program's reporter.
BTN Tailgate is the second live college football pre-game television program to visit Penn State this season, as ESPN's College Gameday originated from Old Main lawn for the Ohio State game. BTN Tailgate also originated from Penn State last year against Nebraska.
Fans can access the "pit" for BTN Tailgate at 9 a.m. Saturday and make their owns signs. For more information about BTN Tailgate, including all regulations for fans, go to: GoPSUsports.com/news/2018/10/9/football-btn-tailgate-saturday.aspx
Alumni Blue Band to Perform; Lisa Salters Homecoming Grand Marshal
The Alumni Blue Band will be featured as they join the Penn State Blue Band performances during pre-game and at halftime. The Homecoming court will parade onto the field and the honorees will be announced during halftime. The Michigan State game also is Varsity "S" Day.
Former Lady Lion Basketball student-athlete and ESPN/ABC correspondent Lisa Salters is the Homecoming Grand Marshal and she will be recognized during the first half of the game.
Beaver Stadium Gates open at 1:30 p.m.; Fans can Enter at Gates B, C, D, E, F; Students at Gate A
Penn State Athletics reminds patrons that Beaver Stadium gates will open two hours before kickoff for all games and strongly encourages fans to arrive early to Beaver Stadium. Fans are encouraged to arrive early for every game and reminded they can enter Beaver Stadium at any gate except the student gate - Gate A. Early arriving fans will have an opportunity to receive up to a 20 percent discount at the concession stands (see below).
Team Arrival at 1 p.m.; Velveeta Plays at 11:30 a.m. in Fan Fest
The Penn State All-Sports Museum is open from 9 a.m.-noon, Fan Fest on Curtin Road begins at 11 a.m. and the Beaver Stadium ticket office, near Gate E, opens at 11:30 a.m. Team arrival presented by Lion Country Lodging is scheduled for approximately 1 p.m. and the stadium gates will open at 1:30 p.m., including the students' Gate A.
During the team arrival, the Nittany Lions' team captains will hand out footballs signed by the captains and head coach James Franklin to fans lined up on Curtin Road.
A new, fun event for fans this year is the live entertainment on a stage just south of the stadium on Curtin Road prior to and after the team arrival. This Saturday, Velveeta will play from 11:30 a.m. until the gates open at 1:30 p.m.
Michael Mauti Honorary Captain; Available for Photos with Fans from 12-1 p.m. near South Tunnel
"Linebacker U." All-American Michael Mauti will be available to take photos with fans on Saturday from noon-1 p.m. near the Beaver Stadium south tunnel at Fan Fest on Curtin Road. Mauti, the 2012 Butkus-Fitzgerald Big Ten Linebacker of the Year, is the honorary captain vs. the Spartans.
Fans can also take their photo with the Nittany Lions' 2016 Big Ten East Division Championship trophy Saturday from 1:30-3 p.m. at the Pepsi Zone, above Beaver Stadium Gate A.
Concessions Discounts for Early Arriving Fans; Beaver Stadium Gates Open at 1:30 p.m.
Some of the incentives Penn State Athletics implemented in 2016 to encourage fans to enter the stadium early remain in effect:
- Fans will receive up to a 20 percent concessions discount ($1 off a $5 purchase, $2 off a $10 purchase etc.) during the first 45 minutes after the gates are open. Cash, credit card and LionCash purchases are accepted at the concourse concession stands.
- Other college football games will be shown on the stadium videoboards and stadium concourse TVs starting two hours before kickoff until approximately 70 minutes before the game. For noon games, highlights of previous Penn State games will be shown on the videoboards.
Beaver Stadium Parking Lots Open Saturday at 8 a.m.
The Beaver Stadium parking lots will open this Saturday at 8 a.m. Fans are asked to please display their parking permit from their rear view mirror as they enter the traffic pattern and continue to display the permit once parked. Cars are sorted in traffic by Stadium Traffic Control to lanes leading to appropriate lots. Patrons should approach their parking lot as directed on the back of their parking permit.
To reference a map of the game day parking areas and all other game day information, visit GameDay Central at: GoPSUsports.com/gameday
Fans Advised to be on Lookout for Counterfeit Tickets for Michigan State Game
Fans are being advised by Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics to be cautious of counterfeit tickets, including the print-at-home format and illegally reproduced single game tickets purchased from non-authorized sources, for the Michigan State game.
The ticketing staff at the Beaver Stadium gates and ticket windows and University Police confiscated more than 300 counterfeit tickets before and during the Nittany Lions' last home game, against Ohio State on Sept. 29. More than 300 fans who thought they had purchased official Penn State tickets for the game vs. the Buckeyes tried to gain admittance with counterfeit tickets and were denied admission.
Penn State continues to encourage fans buying tickets to only purchase them through Penn State authorized sources. The Penn State Athletic Ticket Office and Ticketmaster.com/pennstate are the only authorized sources for tickets to Nittany Lion athletic home events. Fans purchasing tickets from unauthorized sources assume the risk that tickets purchased are counterfeit or the barcodes have been invalidated.
Anyone attempting to enter Beaver Stadium with a counterfeit or invalid barcode on their ticket will be denied entry.
New Additional Security Measures This Season in and Around Beaver Stadium
Changes for this season were outlined in the 2018 Penn State Football season ticket book. Some of the changes include:
-Fans will see an increase in police visibility on game day. Fans can expect to see police officers outfitted in tactical gear at each Beaver Stadium entry gate. Additionally, members of the Centre County Tactical Response Team, uniformed in full protective gear, will conduct patrols in and around the stadium throughout game days.
-A 300-foot security buffer zone has been established around Beaver Stadium. Vehicles, other than a car, parking within 300 feet of the stadium are subject to search by University Police once the vehicle is parked.
-Knives and razor blades of any size, including folding blades or Swiss army knives, are not permitted inside Beaver Stadium.
Fans reminded of Security Screening and Penn State Athletics Bag Policy
Penn State will provide security screening for all guests at the entry gates using metal detection wands. With this security measure in place, all public gates, including the ADA and student gates, will open two hours prior to kickoff to provide ample time for all fans to pass through security. Fans will be asked to remove items from their pockets upon entering the stadium. Umbrellas are not permitted in Beaver Stadium.
Backpacks, bags, and purses are not permitted in Beaver Stadium. Personal items can be placed in a clear bag that is no larger than 11" x 11" x 0" (one gallon) and wristlets (no larger than 4" x 6" x 1"). Patrons can expedite the entry process by not bringing a bag into Beaver Stadium. For fans with medical or childcare needs, please place those items in an 11" x 11" x 0" clear bag or a one-gallon clear bag prior to arriving at the stadium gates. All items are subject to inspection. Any items left unattended at the gates will be discarded and unrecoverable.
For parking maps, the bag policy (GoPSUsports.com/clearbagpolicy), a listing of restricted vehicles and a complete list of items prohibited from entry into Beaver Stadium, fans should go to Penn State Football Game Day Central: GoPSUsports.com/gameday.
Fans Encouraged to Participate in Game Day Recycling; Bottles and Cans in Blue Bags
Fans are encouraged to be environmentally responsible and participate in Penn State's recycling and sustainability efforts by separating recyclable items before, during and after the game. Blue recycling bags and clear trash bags are located throughout the Beaver Stadium parking lots, including the entrance to most lots.
New for this season, bottles and cans only should be placed in the blue recycling bags. All other items should be placed in the clear trash bags. Bags should be securely closed and left where fans parked and they will be picked up after the lots close.
Highway Projects Could Impact Football Traffic
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is alerting drivers that they could encounter delays as they travel to Beaver Stadium this fall, with restrictions and changes coming from the Harrisburg area via U.S. 322, Altoona, Williamsport, and via I-80 in western Pennsylvania and at the Bellefonte/State College interchange with Route 26/I-99 (Exit 161).
For information about the construction and travel restrictions, visit www.penndot.gov. Motorists can stay up-to-date on the latest travel conditions by visiting www.511PA.com.
Fans Can Ride Uber to and From Beaver Stadium
Earlier this year, Penn State Athletics and Uber announced a rideshare partnership. Penn State and Uber have established pick up and drop off zones with custom signage outside Beaver Stadium. The Uber zones have been integrated into the Uber app, so that riders and drivers will have precise directions on where to meet.
RV Parking Sold Out; RV Spaces and Weekend Shuttle Available at Grange Park
All game day, season RV and Overnight RV is sold out for the 2018 season. Fans who do not have a RV parking permit will need to make other arrangements and Penn State Athletics has identified Grange Park as an economical alternative with hook-ups and shuttle service to campus on Friday and Saturday of home football weekends. Fans interested in parking their RV at Grange Park can reserve a spot by calling 814-364-9212.
Fans who have not already purchased an RV parking permit should not attempt to park in the official lots near Beaver Stadium. Those fans will be asked to turn around by police and traffic personnel, which will disrupt the flow of traffic heading to Beaver Stadium.
Penn State Athletics is working with Grange Park, site of the Grange Fair, to provide an economical alternative with 1,500 RV spaces, hook-ups and shuttle service to campus on Friday and Saturday of home football weekends.
For the Michigan State game, the Friday shuttle will depart Grange Park for downtown State College at 5 and 6 p.m. The return shuttle Friday from downtown to Grange Park will depart at 7, 7;30, 10 and 10:30 p.m.
Fans can Call 1-800-NITTANY for Assistance Weekdays and Game Day
Before traveling to the State College area, fans are encouraged to check for traffic and parking updates. Fans can check GoPSUsports.com, @GoPSUsports on Twitter and local radio stations (1450 AM, 93.7 FM, 970 AM) for updates prior to kickoff. Fans can follow the Twitter hashtag #PSUparking for further updates.
Penn State Customer Relations representatives are available at 1-800-NITTANY weekdays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and this Saturday from 8 a.m. until one hour after the conclusion of the game.
Inside Beaver Stadium, guest services booths are located at Gates B, C, E and F on the field level. There also is a guest services booth on the North concourse, two on the South concourse and one in the North upper deck.
Fan assistance also is provided by the customer relations staff, by texting the word "Nittany"
your issue and location to the phone number 69050, or by calling 1-800-NITTANY.
Advance Car Parking Available for $22.25 (Game Day Parking $60) for all Remaining Games, starting with Iowa on October 27
General car parking in the Beaver Stadium lots purchased in advance is $22.25 per car for the remaining games this season, starting with Oct. 27 Military Appreciation contest vs. Iowa. Fans who chose to pay to park on game day when arriving at the general lots will pay $60 (cash only), as long as game day parking hasn't been exhausted.
Fans are encouraged to purchase parking passes in advance to not only realize the savings, but to assist in smoother traffic and parking operations by displaying the pass as they approach roads to stadium parking. Fans can purchase up to three advance single game parking passes per account, per game.
General car single game advance parking – starting with Iowa – is available by calling 1-800-NITTANY (weekdays, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.) or at the ticket office in the Bryce Jordan Center (weekdays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.). Single game advance car parking to be shipped via U.S. Mail must be purchased 15 days prior to the game, while single game parking to be shipped by overnight mail must be purchased the Tuesday prior to the game.
A limited number of single game tickets for the 2018 season presented by PSECU are available for the Maryland game. Verified resale tickets are available for all home games via ticketmaster.com. For information on joining the Nittany Lion Club, as well as club seating in Beaver Stadium, fans can visit www.NittanyLionClub.com, call 1-800-NITTANY weekdays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. or visit the Bryce Jordan Center ticket office weekdays from 10 a.m-6 p.m.