Beaver Stadium has an official capacity of 106,572, the second largest in the country, and for the 2026 season only it is expected to exceed 108,000, which would make it the largest for the first time. That is a side effect of a $700 million renovation that will finish before 2027 and leave the stadium somewhat smaller than it is now. The record crowd is 111,030.
| Official capacity | 106,572, listed as 106,304 during construction |
| Expected 2026 capacity | 108,000 to 109,000 with temporary upper bleachers |
| Record attendance | 111,030 vs Ohio State, November 2, 2024 |
| Highest season average | 108,917 in 2007 |
| 2025 average | 107,093, second highest of any stadium in the world |
| Opened | September 17, 1960, capacity 69,000 |
| Renovation | $700 million, complete before the 2027 season |
The Record Crowd
Ohio State’s visit on November 2, 2024 drew 111,030, the first crowd above 111,000 in the stadium’s history, for a noon kickoff that Ohio State won 20 to 13. The previous record had also been set by an Ohio State game, in 2018. Oregon’s visit a year later drew 111,015. Penn State counts press box, suites, bands and stadium staff in its attendance, which is how the figure runs nearly 5,000 above official capacity.
The 2023 season produced three crowds above 110,000, a first, and the 2024 average was on pace to break the 2007 season record before the schedule ended. Our Penn State vs Ohio State page covers the rivalry that has set both records.
How the Capacity Changed
| Year | Capacity | What changed |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 69,000 | Opened on the current site |
| 1972 | 57,538 | Recounted after the whole structure was raised |
| 1978 | 76,639 | South end zone seating |
| 1980 | 83,770 | Upper deck additions |
| 1991 | 93,967 | North end zone upper deck |
| 2001 | 107,282 | South end zone upper deck and suites, the peak |
| 2011 | 106,572 | Reduced to meet accessibility standards |
| 2026 | 108,000+ | Temporary, West Tower bleachers during construction |
The 1960 Move
The stadium did not start where it stands. Old Beaver Field, a 30,000 seat steel structure on the west side of campus, was dismantled into roughly 700 pieces in 1959, trucked about a mile east, and reassembled on a new base with added seating to open at 69,000 in September 1960. In 1978 the entire structure was raised to add seats underneath. Very little of the current building is original, but the bones of the old one are still in it.
The 2026 Season
The renovation is being built from the top down, which is the reverse of normal practice, so that the stadium never dipped below 100,000 during construction. The new West Tower, which will house premium suites, has its upper bleachers going in first, and athletic director Pat Kraft has said capacity should be above 108,000 by the USC game on October 10 and could reach 109,000. That would put it above Michigan Stadium’s 107,601 for the first time. After the 2026 season the lower bowl comes out and is replaced with chairback seating, which will bring the number back down.
Penn State has not announced a final capacity for 2027. It has said the stadium will stay above 100,000.
The White Out
The White Out began as a student section idea in 2004 and went stadium wide in 2007 after the 2005 Ohio State game, when the noise from the student section in white drew national attention. Penn State is 13 and 8 in official White Out games, and the 2016 win over Ohio State on a blocked field goal is the most replayed of them. The 2026 White Out has not been officially designated but USC on October 10 is the expected game.
The Bottom Line
Beaver Stadium holds 106,572 officially and should hold more than 108,000 during 2026, which would make it the largest in the country for one season. The record crowd of 111,030 came against Ohio State in November 2024. The stadium was moved in 700 pieces in 1960, raised whole in 1978, and is in the middle of a $700 million rebuild that finishes before 2027. Our Penn State all time record page covers what has happened on the field.