UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State Athletics and The GIANT Company, known locally as GIANT and MARTIN’S, have announced a new multi-year partnership, naming GIANT the “Official Grocery Partner” of Penn State Athletics with category exclusivity. GIANT will also serve as the first cornerstone partner of the newly renovated West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium at Penn State University.
“We’re welcoming GIANT into the Penn State family at this transformative moment for our athletic department with the renovation of West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium,” said Daniel Solomon, Vice President, Corporate Partnerships at Penn State Sports Enterprises. “Naming GIANT as our first cornerstone partner marks a significant milestone and we’re especially excited to introduce their presence within the stadium through our first gate entitlement, creating a bold, visible connection with Nittany Lion fans on game day. This partnership also represents the first of many new and innovative opportunities for brands to join us at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium as we reimagine what’s possible for partners and fans alike.”
As the first cornerstone partner of the renovated venue, GIANT will have a custom gate sponsorship at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium, which will be enhanced for the debut of the completed renovation in Fall 2027. The partnership also includes one-of-one entitlements, premium signage, in-venue promotions, football and basketball pregame activations, and additional assets across Penn State Athletics.
GIANT will also use student-athletes to support local store openings and its extensive community programs across the region. The partnership also names GIANT as the Presenting Partner of the Penn State Cub Club and Penn State Sports Camps across all 31 sports programs; includes a presence at all Penn State Athletics Kid Zones and alumni events as well as premium signage placement at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium and Pegula Ice Arena.
In the coming months, the partnership will also introduce unique promotions and other activations for GIANT customers. Each of the GIANT stores in State College and Bellefonte, as well as select GIANT stores near Penn State satellite campuses in Altoona (200 E. Chestnut Ave.), Jenkintown, Middletown, and Willow Grove, will serve as Game Day Pin pickup locations ahead of each home game. Official Penn State merchandise including apparel, drinkware, and novelty items will also be available at select stores.
As students and parents get ready to head back to campus, GIANT will also offer special bundles for online shoppers, geared toward making move-in easy. Bundles will be available for delivery or pickup and include items like personal care, cleaning supplies, and non-perishable food. For added convenience, students can also use LionCash at the GIANT stores in State College and Bellefonte, as well as select GIANT stores near Penn State satellite campuses in Altoona (200 E. Chestnut Ave.), Jenkintown, Middletown, and Willow Grove.
To mark the first home football game of the 2026 season, the GIANT at 255 Northland Center in State College will host a parking lot tailgate party for fans and customers on Friday, Sept. 4. The free event will include music, games, and giveaways.
"GIANT's commitment to serving communities across Pennsylvania makes them an ideal partner for Penn State Athletics,” said Adam Miller, Deputy AD for External Affairs and Engagement, Penn State Athletics. “As the Official Grocery Partner of Penn State Athletics and the first cornerstone partner in the future of Beaver Stadium, GIANT is making a significant investment in the experiences of our fans, the success of our student-athletes, and the future of our athletic programs. We're excited to welcome GIANT to the Penn State family and look forward to building a partnership that creates meaningful impact across the Commonwealth for years to come."
“Bringing together two iconic brands with deep roots in Pennsylvania creates a powerful connection grounded in shared values and a mutual commitment to our customers and fans,” said John MacDonald, chief marketing officer, The GIANT Company. “Our longstanding relationship with Penn State reflects a natural alignment, from the communities we serve to the passion of our respective fanbases, and we’re proud to continue growing that partnership with Penn State Sports Enterprises in ways that strengthen both brands and deliver meaningful impact locally.”
The partnership, which runs through 2032, was brokered by Penn State Sports Enterprises, the exclusive multimedia rights holder for Penn State Athletics powered by Playfly Sports, the sports industry’s leading revenue maximization company.
About Penn State Athletics
Under the leadership of Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Patrick Kraft, Penn State has one of the nation's most comprehensive and successful athletic programs, featuring nearly 800 student-athletes across 31 varsity programs (16 men's, 15 women's). The Nittany Lions' 31 programs are tied for the fourth-highest number of sports sponsored by a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) institution.
Penn State student-athletes earned a record-tying 93% NCAA Graduation Success Rate (GSR) and 13 programs earned perfect 100% ratings in the 2025 report. This is the ninth consecutive year the Nittany Lions have posted a record or record-tying performance in the classroom. Penn State is one of only eight schools that have won at least 10 NCAA Championships since the 2015-16 academic year and earned at least a 90 percent Graduation Success Rate (GSR) in the 2025 NCAA report (Florida, North Carolina, Stanford, Texas, UCLA, USC, Virginia).
About The GIANT Company
For over 100 years, The GIANT Company has been bringing fresh food at great prices to local neighborhoods across Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. Known locally as GIANT and MARTIN'S, the company’s more than 35,000 team members are dedicated to delivering value, freshness and kindness, every day. Founded and based in 1923 in Carlisle, Pa., the company has nearly 200 stores, online grocery services, pharmacies, and fuel stations to meet the ever-evolving needs of today’s customers and communities. The GIANT Company is a company of Ahold Delhaize USA. For more information, visit the GIANT or MARTIN’S websites.
About Playfly Sports
Playfly Sports, the sports industry’s leading revenue maximization company, drives growth for its partners across the sports ecosystem – including 2,000+ brands, 100+ professional teams, 65+ college athletic departments, all U.S. local sports networks and associated streaming platforms, and other marquee properties. Its fan engagement platform allows its partners to reach and engage over 85% of all U.S sports fans. Playfly builds and implements custom strategies across media, sponsorship, premium experiences, ticketing and fan engagement offerings through proprietary data, innovative technology and compelling storytelling. Playfly operates an expansive portfolio of services with a data-driven and fan-focused approach to maximize revenue yield in key growth areas, such as media, sponsorship, ticketing, premium experiences and fan engagement offerings. Founded in September of 2020, Playfly Sports is now home to approximately 1,000 team members located across 43 U.S. states and internationally dedicated to maximizing the impact of highly passionate local sports fans. The company has been named a Best Place to Work in Sports by Sports Business Journal, Front Office Sports, and Newsweek. To learn more, follow Playfly Sports on social media platforms or visit www.Playfly.com