Welcome to the Jungle: Inside the Penn State Football Stadium Experience
There’s college football, and then there’s the Penn State football stadium on a fall Saturday. Better known as Beaver Stadium, this massive 110,000-seat monster isn’t just one of the biggest in the country—it’s one of the loudest, wildest, and most intimidating venues in all of sports.
From the legendary White Out games to the thunderous chants of “We Are… Penn State,” this place doesn’t just host football—it devours opposing teams whole. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a die-hard Nittany Lion fan, there are some things you need to know before stepping into the storm.
So buckle up, bring the poncho, and don’t even think about wearing maize and blue—here’s everything you need to know about the Penn State football stadium experience.
This site uses affiliate links. We may earn a commission when you click at no cost to you.
1. Show Up Early — Traffic Gets Real Around Beaver Stadium
Think you’re early? So does everyone else.
On game day, roads around the Penn State football stadium get jammed fast. With over 110,000 fans heading to Beaver Stadium, traffic becomes a full-contact sport. If you’re not in by 3–4 hours before kickoff, you’re likely sitting in gridlock while the tailgaters are already lighting up their grills.
The one-way traffic patterns make things even trickier, and GPS becomes useless once you’re close. Route 322 especially turns into a slow crawl. For noon games, lots start filling by 7 a.m.—and for night games? Some fans camp out the night before.
Pro Tip:
Buy your parking pass ahead of time. And if you’re tailgating, arrive with a full tank and even fuller cooler.
👉 Want to know who they’re playing and when?
Check the full Penn State 2025 football schedule.
2. Don’t Miss the White Out Game
There’s nothing in college football like a Penn State White Out. When Beaver Stadium gets dressed in white, it’s a full-blown avalanche for visiting teams. The Penn State football stadium becomes a pressure cooker of sound and chaos.
And while the first official student White Out didn’t happen until 2004 (vs. Purdue) and the full-stadium version launched in 2007 (vs. Notre Dame), real ones know the roots run deeper. That 2002 Nebraska game? Fans were already rocking all white, shirts were handed out, and the crowd helped destroy a Top 10 team 40–7.
It was the moment the tradition truly began—even if the branding came later.
What to Know:
-
White Out games are usually prime-time matchups vs. Michigan or Ohio State
-
Tickets sell fast and at a premium
-
Bring your loudest voice and your whitest gear
👉 Want to know when this year’s White Out is happening?
Check the 2025 Penn State football schedule.
3. Tailgating at the Penn State Football Stadium Is Next-Level
You haven’t lived until you’ve tailgated outside the Penn State football stadium. Beaver Stadium tailgates are an all-day, all-out assault on your senses—grills firing, beers flowing, cowbells clanging, and chants echoing across a sea of blue and white.
Fans start rolling into Lot 18, Lot 41, and the RV fields before sunrise. Some even show up the night before with satellite dishes, tent villages, and setups that rival actual campsites. Whether you’re sipping Lion Punch or crushing pierogies off the griddle, the vibes are always undefeated.
Pro Tip:
If you’re in a car, reserve your parking pass in advance or you’ll be hoofing it from miles out. RV spots? They sell out fast—like bowl game fast.
Keep an eye out for:
-
Student DJs turning up near East decks
-
Alumni pouring bourbon like it’s a reunion
-
Local food trucks bringing the heat
And whatever you do, pace yourself. You’ve got a four-quarter war to survive once the sun sets and the lights hit Beaver Stadium.
4. Get the Grilled Stickies & Creamery Ice Cream
Forget stadium nachos—Penn State has culinary traditions. If you’re hitting the Penn State football stadium, there are two must-haves: grilled stickies and Berkey Creamery ice cream.
Grilled stickies are gooey cinnamon rolls on another level—served warm, buttery, and sticky enough to glue a napkin to your hand. You can grab them near the stadium or downtown, but true fans know they hit different during a cold-weather Big Ten showdown.
Then there’s the Creamery. Since 1865, Penn State’s Berkey Creamery has been slinging scoops that make grown fans tear up. Peachy Paterno is the GOAT, but Death by Chocolate, Bittersweet Mint, and WPSU Coffee Break all bring serious game.
This site uses affiliate links. We may earn a commission when you click at no cost to you.
Pro Tip:
The Creamery is located on campus, a short walk from the stadium. Lines get wild on game day—go early or send a friend with fresh legs.
And yes—you’re allowed to mix tailgating with ice cream. Just don’t let it melt while you’re chanting “We Are!”
5. Watch the Drum Major’s Pregame Flip
You’ll hear the roar before you see the flip. One of the most iconic moments at the Penn State football stadium happens before kickoff ever starts—when the Blue Band drum major charges downfield and attempts the legendary front flip.
This isn’t just showmanship—it’s tradition. If the drum major sticks the landing, it’s said to be a sign of good luck for the Nittany Lions. If they don’t? Let’s just say fans will be side-eyeing the scoreboard all night.
This site uses affiliate links. We may earn a commission when you click at no cost to you.
The whole thing goes down right before the team runs out, and it sets the tone for the storm that’s about to hit Beaver Stadium. The band forms the PSU logo, the crowd is locked in, and cameras are rolling.
Pro Tip:
If you want a clear view of the flip, try to get a seat on the south end of the stadium near the band’s tunnel. And don’t blink—it happens fast but the crowd’s reaction is unforgettable.
Game day doesn’t officially start until the flip hits. Facts.
6. Brace for “Zombie Nation” and the Bounce
When “Zombie Nation” hits Beaver Stadium, the Penn State football stadium goes absolutely feral. The first few notes drop, the beat builds, and then—BOOM—110,000 fans bounce in unison like a tidal wave in shoulder pads.
This isn’t hype. It’s physics.
Beaver Stadium literally shakes.
It usually kicks off after a game-changing sack or a 3rd-down stop. The student section leads the charge, but by the time the chorus hits, every section from the bleachers to the suites is jumping.
And when the camera zooms in on a defensive end screaming with the crowd behind him bouncing like it’s a mosh pit? That’s not just energy—that’s intimidation.
Pro Tip:
The louder the moment, the more likely they cue Zombie Nation. Prime-time games vs. ranked opponents? You’ll hear it multiple times. So bring your voice, lose your mind, and join the chaos.
Heads up: If you’re wearing a smartwatch, don’t be surprised if it thinks you just did a HIIT workout. The Bounce is real.
7. What to Wear: White Out or Not, Match the Mood
At the Penn State football stadium, what you wear isn’t just fashion—it’s strategy. White Outs are obvious: you wear white head to toe or risk being that one lost soul on ESPN’s crowd shot. But even non-White Out games come with a dress code: blue and white, or stay home.
Penn State fans are serious about their colors. Show up in red (Ohio State) or maize (Michigan) and you’re asking for side-eyes, chirps, and maybe even a passive-aggressive “Welcome to Happy Valley” from a 70-year-old alum.
Cold weather game? Layer up with PSU hoodies, gloves, and blankets. Noon game in September? Shorts and a “We Are” tee will do just fine.
Pro Tip:
Check the team’s social media the week of the game. They often post theme days (Stripe Out, Helmet Stripe, Military Appreciation), so you can come correct.
And no matter what you wear—be loud, be loyal, and don’t spill stickies on your jersey.
8. Where to Sit: Best and Worst Sections in Beaver Stadium
With over 110,000 seats, the Penn State football stadium gives you options—but not all seats are created equal. Whether you want crowd chaos or a calm view, where you sit defines your gameday experience at Beaver Stadium.
Best Views:
-
Sections EH & WH (lower sideline): Killer view of the action, especially around the 50-yard line
-
Upper North Deck (NT & NU): Elevated, centered, and great for photos—just bring a jacket
-
South End Zone (student section nearby): If you like noise and energy, this is your zone
Tough Spots:
-
Upper corners (like EFU or WFU): Wind tunnel + nosebleed = good luck staying warm in November
-
Behind the band (Section S): Loud. Constantly. Might drown out your own thoughts
Pro Tip:
If you’re new, avoid the student section unless you plan on standing the entire game and bouncing for three hours straight. It’s rowdy, it’s loud, and it’s not for the casual fan.
9. Postgame Traffic Is Brutal — Have a Plan
Leaving the Penn State football stadium can be just as intense as the game itself—except now you’re gridlocked with 110,000 fans trying to do the same thing. Beaver Stadium postgame traffic is the real 5th quarter, and if you’re not prepared, you’ll spend it parked on a grass lot with no cell service and half a granola bar. 
It’s not uncommon for it to take 1–2 hours just to exit the lot after a night game. Win or lose, everyone’s trying to bounce at once, and the roads around campus weren’t built for this kind of stampede.
Pro Tip:
Stick around for the Alma Mater—a tradition worth experiencing. Then hit the bathroom, grab one last tailgate snack, and let the crowd thin out while you chill.
Even better? Head to one of the bars or diners in downtown State College and ride out the traffic over a cold beer and some wings.
👉 Want help planning your full Penn State gameday?
Sign up for the Sortie Sports newsletter for stadium guides, team rankings, and football-first content every week.
