Welcome to Beaver Stadium, the beating heart of Penn State football, where 107,000 passionate fans unite to cheer on our beloved team alongside the nation’s top student section. But this iconic stadium’s journey to greatness wasn’t a sprint—it was a marathon of evolution. Starting from humble roots, with games played on the Old Main lawn, Beaver Stadium has risen to become the second largest football arena in the country. Join us on a visual odyssey as we trace its remarkable transformation from past to present.
Following their departure from the Old Main lawn in 1893, the Penn State football team discovered an ideal stadium spot nestled between present-day Osmond and Frear Laboratories. This hallowed ground became the birthplace of James A. Beaver’s legendary legacy. Known as Beaver Field, this modest venue accommodated 500 spectators and witnessed the historic christening with a resounding 32-0 victory over our now unfortunate rivals, Pitt.
In 1909, with a growing need for more seating and grandstands, the Penn State football team made a bold move, relocating to a section of campus northeast of Rec Hall. The new venue, aptly named New Beaver Field, boasted a seating capacity of 30,000 fans and was initially constructed entirely from wood. Twenty-seven years later, it underwent a transformation, reinforced with steel to ensure durability. Beyond football, New Beaver Field was a versatile hub, accommodating various sports including track, baseball, lacrosse, and soccer. Its inauguration was marked by a triumphant 31-0 victory over Grove City, cementing its legacy as a home of champions.
After the conclusion of the 1959 season, the overwhelming popularity of the team and surging crowds necessitated a move to an even grander venue — the one we fondly recognize today as Beaver Stadium. New Beaver Field made way for this monumental transition, deconstructed and meticulously relocated across campus to its present-day site. With the integration of an additional 16,000 seats, Penn State football found its permanent and illustrious home, solidifying its place in the annals of collegiate sports history.
In the years leading up to 1991, Beaver Stadium underwent a series of transformative renovations aimed at accommodating an ever-growing throng of Penn State faithfuls. From 1969 to 1980, the stadium expanded its seating capacity to 83,770, culminating in the installation of lights in 1984 to illuminate the field for thrilling night games. Despite a minor reduction in seating by 400 due to the addition of ramps in 1985, Beaver Stadium’s evolution reached new heights in 1991 with the construction of an expansive upper deck in the north end zone, boasting an impressive 10,033 additional seats. Along this remarkable journey, Penn State football soared to unprecedented heights, clinching two national championships, completing four undefeated seasons, and triumphing in 16 bowl games, solidifying its status as a powerhouse in collegiate athletics.
Prior to the 2001 season, Beaver Stadium underwent its next significant transformation. The addition of an impressive 11,500-seat upper deck in the south end zone, accompanied by a three-story structure featuring 60 enclosed skyboxes above the East stands, propelled the stadium’s overall capacity to an astounding 106,562. With its current dimensions boasting 110 rows on the east side, 100 rows on the west side, 60 in each of the lower end zones, 35 in the north upper deck, and 25 in the south upper deck, Beaver Stadium stands as a majestic testament to the game we all cherish.
Throughout the years, this iconic venue has stood as a timeless symbol of tradition and excellence, witnessing countless renovations while steadfastly preserving its storied history. From one generation of Penn State fans to the next, Beaver Stadium has served as a cherished sanctuary for football enthusiasts, with its enduring simplicity and elegance captivating the hearts of all who enter. As it continues to inspire and unite fans for generations to come, Beaver Stadium remains an enduring marvel—a true wonder of the sporting world.
