Penn State breaks $60 million Beaver Stadium renovation fundraising mark with new $5 million donation

Penn State Athletics has broken the $60 million fundraising mark for its Beaver Stadium renovation plan. It did so with a new $5 million donation from Berwyn, Pa., based sports media, marketing and technology company PlayFly Sports. If the name of that business sounds familiar, it’s because it entered into a 15-year multimedia rights agreement with the university in January of 2023. So, it goes without saying that supporting the athletic department’s remodeling of the 107,000-seat venue will help it in the long run, too.

“We have only begun to scratch the surface of the opportunities this relationship between Playfly Sports and Penn State Athletics will generate,” Christy Hedgpeth, the President of Playfly Sports Properties, said in a news release. “The Beaver Stadium Revitalization project, spearheaded by Pat (Kraft), proves the deep commitment the athletics department has for its student-athletes, alumni, donors and fans, and we at Playfly couldn’t be more thrilled to be a part of it.”

Penn State has now raised $60.25 million for the project. The school’s Board of Trustees approved a plan that will ultimately cost $700 million.

“We are very grateful for Playfly Sports and their commitment to Penn State Athletics, not just as our MMR partner, but in this important project for our department and University,” Penn State Athletic Director Dr. Patrick Kraft said in a statement.

“As a Pennsylvania-based company, Playfly Sports understands the economic and cultural significance Beaver Stadium and Penn State Football hold in our community, region and state. Their generosity will have a lasting impact on all 31 of our sports programs as these renovations play a critical role in increasing revenue to support all of Penn State Athletics.”

Penn State Beaver Stadium plan updates

While the west side renovation work will not start until after the 2024 season is complete, other changes are obvious at the stadium. Some that you can’t see, like winterization work to plumbing and HVAC fixtures and systems, will ensure the program can host a College Football Playoff home game if needed. Others, like the expanded east side concourse, offer fans a place to hang out before heading to their seats. New ribbon and video boards both around the scoreboards and on field level are active. And, an east-side escalator is scheduled to be up and running this weekend when Illinois visits for Homecoming. That contest is set for Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC.

See photos from around the stadium below.

A new concession area and new portable toilets are located on the upper northeast concourse at Beaver Stadium. (Pickel/BWI)

The open-air area for fans at the expanded Gate F at Beaver Stadium. (Pickel/BWI)

Penn State has added numerous portable toilets around the upper and lower concourses at Beaver Stadium. (Pickel/BWI)

The inside portion of the expanded fan area near Gate F at Beaver Stadium. (Pickel/BWI)

Escalators are being installed at the southeast corner of Beaver Stadium. Penn State expects them to be operational by the Illinois game. (Pickel/BWI)

One of the new grab and go market concession stands around Beaver Stadium in 2024. (Pickel/BWI)

Ribbon boards now wrap around the north end zone at Beaver Stadium. (Pickel/BWI)

Another look at a new concession stand at Beaver Stadium. This one is in the northeast corner of the stadium. (Pickel/BWI)

A look at the new video board and ribbon boards in the south end zone at Beaver Stadium. The main video board is new and offers a higher-resolution picture than its predecessor. The super ribbon boards to the right and left of it will be ready for the Ohio State game. (Pickel/BWI)

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