Penn State Trustees Approve $700M Beaver Stadium Renovation, Release Renderings

The Penn State Board of Trustees approved a $700 million renovation to Beaver Stadium that will make the university eligible to host a College Football Playoff game.

"On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I am delighted to share there is overwhelming support for the University's recommendation to renovate Beaver Stadium," Board of Trustees Chair Matt Schuyler said. "I'm pleased that the renovation will benefit our student-athletes, elevate Beaver Stadium's significance in driving local and state economies, and ensure Beaver Stadium remains a premier facility in all of college athletics."

Construction has already been underway on $70 million worth of renovations originally approved in January 2024. The larger project will take place over the next three football offseasons and will offer improved seating options, concessions and a new community welcome center.

Beaver Stadium opened in 1960 and has since undergone eight expansions. While older college football stadiums are the norm across a sport where tradition reigns supreme, Penn State has watched on as many other high-profile programs poured hundreds of millions of dollars into modernizing their facilities.

This will be by far the highest-cost renovation project in Penn State football history, one the university hopes will bring Penn State on par with the top schools in the country.

"Many recognize Beaver Stadium as the best stadium in college football, and we want to preserve the atmosphere that our fans, alumni and community have come to expect while building on this history of excellence for generations to come," Penn State president Neeli Bendapudi. "The renovations will have a wide variety of positive impacts on our community, help us remain a national leader by attracting top student-athletes, and continue serving as a symbol for belonging and pride for students across the Commonwealth."

Penn State has finished in the Top 10 four times in James Franklin's decade with the Nittany Lions but has never reached the College Football Playoff. The expansion to 12 teams should give Penn State a realistic shot at making it next season, and university officials were determined to get Beaver Stadium ready for a potential host game.