Penn State Football Tailgate Guide: Lots, Traditions, and Where to Stay
Why a Penn State Football Tailgate Deserves a Real Plan
For thousands of fans, a Penn State football tailgate is the main event, and the game is the finale. Grills are lit hours before kickoff, blue and white cover the lots around West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium, and strangers trade plates like longtime neighbors. With four home games left on the 2026 schedule, including the October 10 White Out against USC, fall is prime tailgating season in Happy Valley. This guide covers the lots, the traditions, and the food. For permits and a Penn State tailgate map of the parking zones, start with our Beaver Stadium Parking Guide.
Penn State Tailgate Lots and Opening Times
Stadium lots open at 7 a.m. for noon kickoffs and 8 a.m. for all other start times, and tents and chairs cannot go up before the posted opening. On a night game, that makes for a long day. The 7:30 p.m. White Out kickoff means lots open more than eleven hours ahead, so pack shade, layers, and more food than you think you need.
Each lot has its own character. The ORV lots belong to the RV crowd and open at 6 p.m. on the Thursday before home games, which turns a Saturday into a three-day campout. Lot 41, behind the south end zone, is paved, close to the gates, and reserved. Lots 14 through 17 and Lot 31 tend to draw families and longtime season ticket holders. Groups that want everything handled can book a full-service setup through Tailgate Guys, Penn State’s premium tailgate partner. Fans without a season permit can buy single-game parking at Lot 25 or Lot 36, subject to availability. Tailgating is not permitted in the East Deck.
A Bed and Breakfast Alternative to Hotels Near Beaver Stadium
Overnight parking is prohibited outside designated lots, so most fans need somewhere to land once the lots clear. Apple Pony Inn is a bed and breakfast on a 17-acre working farm in historic Boalsburg, four miles from Penn State, with seven equine-inspired suites and free parking. Guests can add our Tailgaters/Event Rental for $50, which includes a folding table, four camping chairs, a medium cooler, and a bottle opener. Bring your own ice and drinks. We have only two sets, so the rental must be added at the time of booking.
The morning after is where a farm stay earns its place in a fall football getaway. Breakfast is a two-course, farm-to-table meal, and on Sundays we serve our Pennsylvania Dutch Apple Dumplings with cinnamon whipped cream. October game weekends also overlap with fall color across Central Pennsylvania, so a Sunday scenic foliage drive makes a natural encore. If you are comparing hotels near Beaver Stadium, check availability at Apple Pony Inn before the remaining home weekends book up.
Penn State Tailgating Traditions Worth Leaving the Grill For
About two hours before kickoff, the cheerleaders, Lionettes, and Nittany Lion mascot lead a pep rally at the Beaver Stadium Block Party on Curtin Road. The team then steps off the blue buses at Curtin and Porter Roads and follows the Blue Band to the South Tunnel while fans line the street for high-fives. Roughly an hour before kickoff, the Blue Band marches down the middle of the Block Party.
Then there is the chant. One side of the lot shouts “We Are,” the other answers “Penn State,” and it repeats until someone adds “Thank you” and hears “You’re welcome” in return.
What to Put on the Grill
Burgers, hot dogs, and buffalo chicken dip remain the standbys because they prep easily at home and share well in the lot. Local spreads often add Pennsylvania Dutch favorites, such as Seltzer’s Lebanon bologna on a meat-and-cheese tray or pickled red beet eggs. Save room for the Berkey Creamery, where Death by Chocolate and Alumni Swirl draw long lines on game weekends.
Penn State Football Tailgate FAQ
What time do Penn State tailgate lots open?
Lots open at 7 a.m. for noon kickoffs and 8 a.m. for all other games. ORV lots open at 6 p.m. on the Thursday before each home game.
Where is the best place to tailgate at Penn State?
It depends on your group. The ORV lots suit RVs, Lot 41 offers a short, paved walk to the gates, and Lots 14 through 17 and Lot 31 lean family-friendly.
How do I get a tailgate spot at Penn State?
You need a football parking permit for your assigned lot. Fans without season parking can buy single-game parking at Lot 25 or Lot 36, subject to availability.
How much is tailgating at Penn State?
Tailgating requires a valid football parking permit, and prices vary by lot and purchase type. Check gopsusports.com or call 1-800-NITTANY for current rates.
Where should I stay for a Penn State football tailgate weekend?
Staying outside downtown State College can make post-game logistics easier. Apple Pony Inn in Boalsburg is four miles from Penn State and includes free parking and a farm-to-table breakfast.