Penn State Update: Football Season Opener, Beaver Stadium Upgrades, Campus Closures, and Community Highlights for Fall 2025

The Penn State University-Main Campus Podcast

Good afternoon, Penn State community. Today is Monday, September 1, 2025, and here are the latest updates from University Park. The Nittany Lions are set to kick off their highly anticipated football season this Saturday, September 6, against Nevada at Beaver Stadium. Ranked No. 2 in the preseason AP Top 25 poll, Penn State is poised for a strong start. Fans are encouraged to plan their travel using the enhanced 511PA website, which provides real-time traffic information for all home games. Significant renovations are underway at Beaver Stadium, including the construction of the new West Tower. To accommodate fans during the 2025 and 2026 seasons, approximately 9,500 temporary seats have been installed, maintaining the stadium's capacity at 106,304. The entire $700 million project is on track for completion before the 2027 football season. From August 12 to 14, Penn State hosted its annual Ag Progress Days at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center. The event attracted an estimated 42,000 visitors, showcasing agricultural innovation and research. Planning is already underway for next year's expo, scheduled for August 11 to 13, 2026, which will mark the 50th anniversary of the event at its current location. The Penn State Alumni Association welcomed the Class of 2029 with the "Be A Part From The Start" event on August 24 at Rec Hall. This high-energy celebration introduced new students to Penn State traditions and the "We Are" spirit. The event was also livestreamed for those unable to attend in person. The men's soccer team has announced its 2025 schedule, featuring 10 conference matchups and eight games against 2024 NCAA Tournament opponents. The season kicks off with a home game against Stetson on August 21, followed by a road trip to Army West Point and Syracuse. All home games will be played at Jeffrey Field. The Penn State Board of Trustees has approved the closure of seven Commonwealth Campuses—DuBois, Fayette, Mont Alto, New Kensington, Shenango, Wilkes-Barre, and York—effective after the spring of the 2026-27 academic year. This decision aims to optimize resources and strengthen the remaining 13 campuses. Support will be provided to current students, faculty, and staff during this transition. That's all for today's update. Stay informed, and as always, We Are Penn State!