Penn State to host first-ever hockey games in Beaver Stadium

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — For the first time ever, the Penn State hockey teams will take to the ice in Beaver Stadium, the university’s athletics department announced Friday.

In what is being dubbed as “The Hockey Valley Doubleheader,” the men’s and women’s ice hockey teams will host games on the stadium’s West Shore Home Field on Jan. 31, 2026, according to Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Patrick Kraft.

The men will battle two-time defending B1G Hockey Champion Michigan State in a highly-anticipated bout while the women will take on in-state foe Robert Morris.

“This is a historic moment for Penn State Hockey, our fans and the entire Penn State community,” said Kraft. “To bring the excitement of college hockey to Beaver Stadium is truly special. Having our men’s program face a premier Big Ten opponent in Michigan State and our women’s program face Robert Morris on this stage reflects the incredible growth and national profile of Penn State Hockey and provides an unforgettable experience for our student-athletes, alumni and fans. We can’t wait to see Hockey Valley come alive in Beaver Stadium.”

The Penn State men’s hockey team is coming off a second half surge last season that saw them finish the year on a 15-5-4 run that culminated in its first-ever Frozen Four berth following a regional championship in Allentown. 

Junior Aiden Fink, a second-team All-American and the program’s first-ever Hobey Baker Top-10 Finalist, set program records across the board last season with 23 goals and 30 assists for 53 points. He enters the season just 13 points shy of the century mark for his career as he looks to become the quickest Nittany Lion to 100 career points.

“Our team and so many Penn Staters are extremely excited about this game in Beaver Stadium,” said men’s hockey head coach Guy Gadowsky. “It has been consistently asked of me since I arrived at Penn State, and I want to send thanks to Coach Franklin for sharing his home with us, as well as Dr. Pat Kraft, Vinnie James, and the entire Penn State Athletics Department for making it happen. We can’t wait to take the field!” 

The women’s ice hockey team is also coming off an incredible 2024-25 campaign which saw the Nittany Lions set a program-record with 31 wins, including an AHA record 19 conference victories en route to their third-straight league championship and NCAA Tournament appearance.

Senior Tessa Janecke, who was also named a second-team All-American, as well as a Patty Kaz Finalist, earned both AHA Player and Forward of the Year honors. She tied her own single-season record with 53 points on 24 goals and 29 assists while becoming the program’s all-time leading scorer with 153 points for her career.

“We want to thank Dr. Kraft for continuing to expand the goal posts, or in this case eliminate them, so we can have an outdoor game at Beaver Stadium,” stated women’s hockey head coach Jeff Kampersal. “This opportunity is momentous and historical for Penn State Hockey. Considering all the legendary moments the men in black shoes and basic blues have created on this turf, WE ARE looking forward to creating some of our own and making Penn State proud. Thank you, Pat!”