We’ve already shown you and explained the renovations going on at Beaver Stadium this summer, but Penn State this week unveiled renderings and additional details on the upgrades that will be in place for the 2024 season.
The work represents the initial stages of the multi-year stadium renovation approved by the university’s Board of Trustees with a budget of up to $700 million.
Upgrades underway this summer, in addition to other work like winterization and restroom improvements, are funded by the initial $70 million authorized by the board in 2023 and include a new south end zone video board, new ribbon boards, and expansion and enhancements of three gate entries.
Future phases of the renovation will begin following the 2024 season and continue through the summer of 2027.
EXPANSION OF GATES A & E
The student entry Gate A at the southeast corner of the stadium and Gate E at the northeast corner are both undergoing expansions designed to increase the entry area and improve fan circulation, an oft-cited goal of the overall stadium renovation
Four escalators are also being added, two at each gate to improve vertical circulation between the field level and second level. The new escalators will open sometime during the season. (The overall plan for the stadium calls for the addition of 24 elevators, 12 escalators and four stair towers over the course of the four-year project.)
With the expanded space created at the corners of the stadium, the number of concession stands and restrooms will also increase. According to a post by the official Beaver Stadium X account, “50 points of sales, streamlined delivery and new offerings” will be added to the stadium.
Speaking of concessions, Penn State Athletics announced on Tuesday that OVG Hospitality will be its new food and beverage partner at Beaver Stadium and nine other venues “to expand and enhance the offerings across multiple Intercollegiate Athletics facilities.”
GATE F IMPROVEMENTS
Gate F, on the east side of the stadium, will see the addition of an open-air space offering food and drink options and an entertainment area.
Work on Gate F will also create “additional fan entry points, allowing for enhanced circulation by expanding the stadium’s security perimeter,” according to Penn State Athletics.
It will also increase the number of concessions locations and offerings.
VIDEO BOARD IMPROVEMENTS
The south end video board is being replaced with a new, higher resolution board, while the existing ribbon boards at the north and south ends will be replaced with newer larger versions.
A “super ribbon” board will be added to the top of the south bowl, and another ribbon board is being added to complement the updated and super ribbon boards.
The new video board and ribbon boards will be in place for the start of the season. The super ribbon will be unveiled during the season.
