Penn State’s homecoming did not go to plan. On Saturday, September 26, Wisconsin scored twice in the last four minutes to beat the No. 13 Nittany Lions 24-20 at Beaver Stadium, capped by a 72-yard touchdown pass from Colton Joseph to Jacob Harris with 1:13 to play. For visiting fans, the more useful news is on the calendar: four home games remain in 2026, including the USC White Out on October 10. Here is how to get to one.
The remaining home games
According to Penn State Athletics, the rest of the home schedule is:
- October 10 vs. USC: 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC, the Penn State White Out.
- October 31 vs. Purdue: All-U Day.
- November 14 vs. Minnesota: Military Appreciation.
- November 21 vs. Rutgers: Senior Day.
Kickoff times for the last three had not been announced when we checked. In between, Penn State plays at Northwestern on October 2, the first game at the new Ryan Field in Evanston, and at Michigan on October 17, where our Michigan Stadium gameday guide covers Ann Arbor.
A stadium still under construction
The venue’s full name is now West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium, and it is in the middle of a multi-year renovation. Onward State, the student news site, reported in September that capacity is about 108,000 this season and could pass 109,000 once new upper-deck seating on the west side is finished, which would keep it the largest stadium in the country. The east concourse has been widened and there are two new stair towers inside Gate F. Crews work during the week and on away weekends. According to Sports Illustrated’s Penn State site, the lower bowl is due to be rebuilt after the last home game of 2026, with the project finishing before the 2027 season.
Fans who need field-level access for a disability should use the accessible lane at Gate B, according to the same report. Elevator access is via the Club/Letterman Gate or the All-Sports Museum Gate.
Parking: your pass lives on your phone now
The biggest change for 2026 is that all general and preferred parking lots are mobile pass only. Penn State asks fans to add the pass to Apple Wallet or Google Pay before leaving home. Reserved lots still use a paper pass on the dashboard or rearview mirror.
- Parking lots open at 8 a.m. on gamedays.
- Parking garages, the ticket office, merchandise stands and most concessions are cashless.
- Tailgates must fit in the 8.5-by-15-foot space you are given, and tents cannot be larger than 10 by 10 feet.
- Glass bottles are banned in the grass lots, and alcohol is not allowed in the lots while the game is being played.
- Overnight RV lots open at 6 p.m. on Thursday, and RVs have to leave by noon on Sunday.
A one-way traffic pattern around the stadium starts several hours before kickoff. For the Wisconsin game it began at 2:30 p.m. Penn State publishes a parking, traffic and transit update a few days before each home game, and that is the place to check the exact times for your game.
Skip the car: CATA buses and rideshare
If you are staying in State College, the local bus network is the easiest way in. On gamedays, CATA runs three routes to the Bryce Jordan Center, next to Beaver Stadium, from three hours before kickoff until one hour after the game ends. Between them they link downtown State College, campus and some area hotels with the stadium area:
- Blue Loop and White Loop: free for everyone.
- South Atherton Shuttle: the full fare is $2.50 each way and the reduced fare is $1.25. Children under 40 inches tall and seniors 65 and over with ID ride free.
You can pay in cash (exact change only), by tapping a card or in the Token Transit app, which now sells group passes for two to six people. Rideshare pickup and drop-off are at Pegula Ice Arena and the North Transit Center.
What you can bring inside
- Bags: one clear tote no larger than 12 x 6 x 12 inches, plus a small clutch or wristlet up to 4 x 6 x 1 inches.
- Banned: backpacks, umbrellas, outside food and drink, and water bottles of any kind, whether opened, unopened or reusable.
- Seat cushions: allowed if they are soft and roll up. Stadium chairs with backs are only allowed if they have no pockets and roll up.
- No re-entry: once you leave, you are out.
- No smoking or vaping: anywhere on the University Park campus, including inside the stadium.
Tips for the White Out
The USC game is the one most visitors will want, and a 7:30 p.m. kickoff in mid-October means a long, cool evening. Pack layers, wear white, and plan to be in the lot early enough that you are not queuing at the gates at kickoff. Because the game ends late and buses run until an hour after the final whistle, book a room within reach of the Blue or White Loop so you are not relying on a single rideshare pickup point with the rest of the crowd.
Gate times change with kickoff, so check the weekly update. For the September 5 opener, premium gates opened at 12:30 p.m. and public gates at 1:30 p.m.
