UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State Athletics and Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Patrick Kraft celebrated the “Topping Out” of the West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium Revitalization on Wednesday afternoon, which is scheduled to be completed in full by the 2027 football season. With the placement of the final beam atop the 195-foot structure, the project has now reached its maximum height, a structural milestone that marks the transition from this complex phase of construction.
A Topping Out ceremony is a traditional way to celebrate a significant milestone during the construction of a new building. Before the ceremony, employees and donors signed the final beam, which was also raised with the traditional flag and evergreen tree. Workers then placed the last piece of structural steel atop the structure.
Following the 2024 football season, demolition began with the felling of the press box and removal of the upper deck and several ground level structures. Once completed prior to the 2027 season, the West Shore Home at Beaver Stadium Revitalization will transform the fan and community experience and fuel the funding for all 31 athletics programs at Penn State in addition to growing revenue-generating opportunities.
To date, the project has seen incredible support. The Werzyn family and West Shore Home® made a significant field naming gift, with the playing surface to be known as West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium through the 2039 season. A $25 million commitment from the Misitano Family and PAM Health will name the West Tower. Athletics also received transformational gifts from Ira Lubert and his wife, Pam Estadt, to name the Lubert Family Welcome Center, Jennifer and Frank Marzano to name the Marzano Club, as well as Matt and Anne Schuyler to name the Schuyler Family Club. Athletics has also received two $10 million gifts from donors who wish to remain anonymous, as well as a $5 million contribution from Playfly Sports.
Parking Impacts in 2026
Football game day parking and tailgating are not anticipated to be limited during the stadium construction period, however, similar to the 2025 season, there may be minimal impacts across the construction site. The construction footprint expands during the off-season but will shrink to accommodate football game day parking in-season.
Additional facts & figures are as follows:
- To date, over 750,000 hours have been worked, 6,200 tons of steel have been erected and 11,953 cubic yards of concrete have been poured.
- Each upper module (elevated section of seating) weighs 188,000 pounds.
- To provide structural support to the new west side, construction began on foundations and drilling micropiles. The depth of the micropiles allowed them to reach rock, which, on average, is a depth of 50-80 feet.
- During phase 1, drilling rigs drilled 924 micro piles to support the poured foundations. For phase 2, an additional 72 micropiles will be drilled before the 2026 season, below the lower bowl in preparation for the Lower Bowl demolition following the season.
Additional updates will be shared with the Penn State community as the revitalization progresses. Fans interested in securing seats in one of our new Club spaces click here, or if you would like to learn more please fill out this interest form.
For more information on seating options visit here or for Revitalization FAQs visit us here.
For information on joining the Nittany Lion Club and ticket information for the 2026 Penn State Football season presented by PSECU, as well as club seating in West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium, fans can visit www.GoPSUsports.com, or call 1-800-NITTANY weekdays from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.