Do you think there will be a high demand to attend a first-round home CFP playoff game in Beaver Stadium? Here is why I ask:

[LealandLoyal]

1. It is likely to be on Saturday, December 21. Fall semester finals end on Friday the 20th, and like the games straddling T-giving break, the vast majority of students will be on their way or at home for the holiday break. Will it be a half empty student section?

2. The weather could be horrific. Cold, rain or even snow. The grass tailgate lots could be closed if wet/muddy. The roads in/out of town could be a mess.

3. Ticket prices/face value on either sideline range from $206 to $256 a piece. That seems tolerable if we host an SEC squad or Notre Dame. But what if we are #5 (the "Golden Seed") and we host #12 Boise State?

4. It is Fall semester graduation December 20-22 weekend and many hotels are already near capacity that weekend.

Thoughts?

Maybe the game should be held at the Linc in Phila or Acrisure in PGH? Their infrastructure is certainly much better set up for a cold December game.

 

[Erial_Lion]

It certainly won't be a "half empty" student section...any student that wants a ticket will have to pay up for it, so if anything, the student seats that they sell should be pretty packed (though doubt it would be all 21k).

I'd guess that the stadium will be packed...but it won't be an extremely difficult ticket to get, and hopefully the resale market ends up reasonable for those that want to get in.

 

[Psu00]

The student section won’t be as full as normal given the holiday break. I wonder if the university will trim back some of those seats to sell to the public?

The weather in December has been pretty mild lately. I know everyone wants to talk about SEC teams coming up to snow and freezing temps but that’s not been the reality of mid December lately. Any significant rain would make the lots and parking a complete mess.

It’s too bad State College doesn’t have train service. They could run game trains up from Harrisburg/ Philly where lots of fans could get up and back and not worry about traffic, weather conditions, or parking (if rain/ ice etc became an issue).

 

[nittanymoops]

1. It is likely to be on Saturday, December 21. Fall semester finals end on Friday the 20th, and like the games straddling T-giving break, the vast majority of students will be on their way or at home for the holiday break. Will it be a half empty student section?

2. The weather could be horrific. Cold, rain or even snow. The grass tailgate lots could be closed if wet/muddy. The roads in/out of town could be a mess.

3. Ticket prices/face value on either sideline range from $206 to $256 a piece. That seems tolerable if we host an SEC squad or Notre Dame. But what if we are #5 (the "Golden Seed") and we host #12 Boise State?

4. It is Fall semester graduation December 20-22 weekend and many hotels are already near capacity that weekend.

Thoughts?

Maybe the game should be held at the Linc in Phila or Acrisure in PGH? Their infrastructure is certainly much better set up for a cold December game.

Where are you seeing the prices you quoted? I just reserved my sideline tix at $155 each.

And if PSU would ever shift a playoff game to Philly/Pitt, SC better be an irradiated pile of rubble from a Philly/Pitt misfire.

I don't see PSU getting a 5 seed, but it's possible. Agreed that it should be packed, but some students will likely have departed. Could be half empty student section similar to what the Twerps game will look like 11/30, or any other post-T-giving home game.

 

[WVilleLion23]

Well aren’t you a f n Debbie Downer.

 

[WVilleLion23]

The student section won’t be as full as normal given the holiday break. I wonder if the university will trim back some of those seats to sell to the public?

The weather in December has been pretty mild lately. I know everyone wants to talk about SEC teams coming up to snow and freezing temps but that’s not been the reality of mid December lately. Any significant rain would make the lots and parking a complete mess.

It’s too bad State College doesn’t have train service. They could run game trains up from Harrisburg/ Philly where lots of fans could get up and back and not worry about traffic, weather conditions, or parking (if rain/ ice etc became an issue).

There will be a plan if grass/lots are impacted, though not ideal.

I think the bigger issues is hotels will be looking to even charge more per night since it would be our first CFP home game.

 

[NittPicker]

1. It is likely to be on Saturday, December 21. Fall semester finals end on Friday the 20th, and like the games straddling T-giving break, the vast majority of students will be on their way or at home for the holiday break. Will it be a half empty student section?

2. The weather could be horrific. Cold, rain or even snow. The grass tailgate lots could be closed if wet/muddy. The roads in/out of town could be a mess.

3. Ticket prices/face value on either sideline range from $206 to $256 a piece. That seems tolerable if we host an SEC squad or Notre Dame. But what if we are #5 (the "Golden Seed") and we host #12 Boise State?

4. It is Fall semester graduation December 20-22 weekend and many hotels are already near capacity that weekend.

Thoughts?

Maybe the game should be held at the Linc in Phila or Acrisure in PGH? Their infrastructure is certainly much better set up for a cold December game.

All reasonable questions. My thoughts, IMHO of course......

1. Students living off campus can easily stay in town. I'm sure the university will make some accommodations for those living on campus.
2. In past years if the grass lots were closed, shuttles were arranged to bring people in from area shopping centers which allowed parking there. I'm sure there are contingencies. As for traveling to/from in bad weather, not much can be done about that. Individual fans will have to decide if they want to make the trip.
3. It will be a sell out regardless of opponent. It's a playoff game leading to a possible national championship, not a season opener against Northeast Western Univ.
4. Can't spin this one. It'll be a problem unless graduation dates are shifted but that'll mess up a lot of plans which were made months ago. There will be some upset people.
5. If there is a big storm, driving to or from Phil/Pitt could be hazardous too. It would also kill the home stadium advantage earned by being the higher seed. If weather is the ultimate priority they may as well play the game in a dome somewhere.

 

[NittPicker]

The student section won’t be as full as normal given the holiday break. I wonder if the university will trim back some of those seats to sell to the public?

I have seen anything about this but maybe the student section will be handled in a similar way. Right of first refusal to season ticket holders. Remaining tickets made available to non ticket holding students. Maybe students will be allowed to buy a +1. We'll find out soon enough.

 

[BobPSU92]

PSU fan the past several years: “Imagine a playoff whiteout. I hope I live long enough to experience one. I’d be all over it.”

PSU fan when the first playoff whiteout is announced: “No way am I going. Too f*cking cold. Who thought football in Beaver Stadium in December was a good idea? For f*ck’s sake.”

 

[Erial_Lion]

I have seen anything about this but maybe the student section will be handled in a similar way. Right of first refusal to season ticket holders. Remaining tickets made available to non ticket holding students. Maybe students will be allowed to buy a +1. We'll find out soon enough.

I’d expect student season ticket holders to have the option to buy their one seat…it would leave $ on the table allowing a +1 or allowing those that didn’t get seats. Only argument for allowing “new” student buyers is that some might have been shut out initially when it sold out.

Dorms are open until Sunday, so that should have no impact.

 

[Whart]

My SWAG…..despite the cold ...it will be the hottest ticket. History being made….our first playoff contest! I will fly in from Texas for sure.

 

[JWB389]

I’ll be there. Just prepaid for my tickets.

 

[PSUSignore]

1. It is likely to be on Saturday, December 21. Fall semester finals end on Friday the 20th, and like the games straddling T-giving break, the vast majority of students will be on their way or at home for the holiday break. Will it be a half empty student section?

2. The weather could be horrific. Cold, rain or even snow. The grass tailgate lots could be closed if wet/muddy. The roads in/out of town could be a mess.

3. Ticket prices/face value on either sideline range from $206 to $256 a piece. That seems tolerable if we host an SEC squad or Notre Dame. But what if we are #5 (the "Golden Seed") and we host #12 Boise State?

4. It is Fall semester graduation December 20-22 weekend and many hotels are already near capacity that weekend.

Thoughts?

Maybe the game should be held at the Linc in Phila or Acrisure in PGH? Their infrastructure is certainly much better set up for a cold December game.

Passing up a home game to put it in Philly or Pittsburgh would be insanity. Absolute insanity. That would be a fireable offense sort of decision. There would be no way for the athletic department to justify such a decision especially after they spent the time to winterize the stadium in the last year in anticipation of this exact possibility.

 

[LealandLoyal]

Where are you seeing the prices you quoted? I just reserved my sideline tix at $155 each.

And if PSU would ever shift a playoff game to Philly/Pitt, SC better be an irradiated pile of rubble from a Philly/Pitt misfire.

I don't see PSU getting a 5 seed, but it's possible. Agreed that it should be packed, but some students will likely have departed. Could be half empty student section similar to what the Twerps game will look like 11/30, or any other post-T-giving home game.

My lower bowl west side tix in WC are $206 each and my WE tix are $256. Just ordered. Maybe upper sideline sections are $155.

 

[nittanymoops]

My lower bowl west side tix in WC are $206 each and my WE tix are $256. Just ordered. Maybe upper sideline sections are $155.

You are correct. Row 41 for me. South upper deck is $103 each.

 

[LionsAndBears]

I paid $330 for my 2 seats in NL. I'm hoping for a Saturday afternoon game because I'm working until 0600 on Saturday morning.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

To the extent that they can, PSU planned for this potential. Back in April it was announced that the Dec. 2024 graduation was being moved to Dec. 22 (Sunday) to avoid a potential conflict with a playoff game. Dorm schedules were also modified, to accommodate the change in the graduation schedule.

 

[Nittany1865Farmer]

There will be a plan if grass/lots are impacted, though not ideal.

I think the bigger issues is hotels will be looking to even charge more per night since it would be our first CFP home game.

Hotels in Happy Valley and beyond learned their trade of pricing hotel rooms from this guy - the original "Master of the House"

 

[Bkmtnittany1]

PSU fan the past several years: “Imagine a playoff whiteout. I hope I live long enough to experience one. I’d be all over it.”

PSU fan when the first playoff whiteout is announced: “No way am I going. Too f*cking cold. Who thought football in Beaver Stadium in December was a good idea? For f*ck’s sake.”

It will be 80+ in Naples! I will be teeing off at 9

 

[TheBigUglies]

It's PSU Football and it's the playoffs for a Nat Champ!! People will come hell or high water. As some have stated, PSU has already made plans to host a playoff game that weekend. Central PA weather is not as bad as some think. The past 20 years I have lived here, the Philly/NJ has gotten it much worse then we have. Also, if there is a storm coming, people will make plans to get here a head of it. The PSU faithful will show up in force to support the team!!

 

[Anon1683841811]

Passing up a home game to put it in Philly or Pittsburgh would be insanity. Absolute insanity. That would be a fireable offense sort of decision. There would be no way for the athletic department to justify such a decision especially after they spent the time to winterize the stadium in the last year in anticipation of this exact possibility.

Yes, but PSU hosting a playoff game in Pitt's home stadium would be delicious.

 

[psuro]

1. It is likely to be on Saturday, December 21. Fall semester finals end on Friday the 20th, and like the games straddling T-giving break, the vast majority of students will be on their way or at home for the holiday break. Will it be a half empty student section?

2. The weather could be horrific. Cold, rain or even snow. The grass tailgate lots could be closed if wet/muddy. The roads in/out of town could be a mess.

3. Ticket prices/face value on either sideline range from $206 to $256 a piece. That seems tolerable if we host an SEC squad or Notre Dame. But what if we are #5 (the "Golden Seed") and we host #12 Boise State?

4. It is Fall semester graduation December 20-22 weekend and many hotels are already near capacity that weekend.

Thoughts?

Maybe the game should be held at the Linc in Phila or Acrisure in PGH? Their infrastructure is certainly much better set up for a cold December game.

1. It might be better if it were on Friday night - it would be the only game on TV. The Saturday games are also going up against two NFL games, one at 1 PM and the other at 430. Hardcore Steeler and PSU fans would have to decide which game to watch if the PSU game is Sat afternoon (Steelers game is 430).

As a matter of discussion, the other (current ) projected host teams; Indiana's Fall graduation is Friday (12/20) - 11 AM and 3 PM. Sat would be better for them. Ohio State has their commencement on 12/15 - so no big deal for them which day. Tennesssee is December 14, so they can be open for any of the days.

2. I don't know what to tell you - part of the complaints have been that southern schools don't come to the north. Weather is part of it. Just deal with it. You have lived through bad weather before. You can do it again.

3. The prices (as I have been told) are set by the CFPC (or perhaps the NCAA). And the money goes to the revenue pool. $206X110,000 = $22,600,000 (although it probably won't be that, because I think $206 is the high end of the prices, and not all seats are this price). I think PSU gets parking, but not sure about concessions. I would assume PSU gets that, unless the CFPC also picks up the costs of purchasing the concession items. You are only getting one home game, so you gotta kinda take what you can get.

4. Yeah, that is going to be a problem. As Tom mentioned, it looks like the University did what they could do, but this is going to an issue - and perhaps that is another excuse to move the game to Friday. PSU graduation is set for a small ceremony Friday afternoon, nothing on Saturday, and full commencement on Sunday. (which makes it easier for the game, but maybe not for hotel). I will assume you have contacted hotels to determine capacity (?)

PSU is not moving the game to Philly or Pittsburgh. That is just not.....feasible....for any one of a number of reasons.

Edit - maybe an option is re-evaluate the schedule and move the PSU game to Wednesday or Thursday ahead of the weekend. Of course, that has it's own issues with people trying to get to the game.

 

[ApexLion]

I'm for two playoff tickets. So those of you that aren't using your tix, hit me up. Of course, we have to win 3 games but happy to hear from you now and we can figure things out later.

 

[kipkuzior]

1. It is likely to be on Saturday, December 21. Fall semester finals end on Friday the 20th, and like the games straddling T-giving break, the vast majority of students will be on their way or at home for the holiday break. Will it be a half empty student section?

2. The weather could be horrific. Cold, rain or even snow. The grass tailgate lots could be closed if wet/muddy. The roads in/out of town could be a mess.

3. Ticket prices/face value on either sideline range from $206 to $256 a piece. That seems tolerable if we host an SEC squad or Notre Dame. But what if we are #5 (the "Golden Seed") and we host #12 Boise State?

4. It is Fall semester graduation December 20-22 weekend and many hotels are already near capacity that weekend.

Thoughts?

Maybe the game should be held at the Linc in Phila or Acrisure in PGH? Their infrastructure is certainly much better set up for a cold December game.

It could also be 50 degrees and sunny.

 

[psuro]

It could also be 50 degrees and sunny.

Like the TV show - It's always Sunny in State College.....

 

[Karl_Havok]

There isn’t a chance we don’t see a sold out stadium if we host a playoff game. Not a single chance.

 

[WanderingSpectator]

Remember that the committee said that they will be considering several factors in their final ranking to get the best matchups. It would not surprise me if they consider weather in the rankings so they can avoid any potential issues. For example, put PSU and other northern schools in as lower seeds so they have to travel to better climates, ie SEC territory.

 

[BobPSU92]

To the extent that they can, PSU planned for this potential. Back in April it was announced that the Dec. 2024 graduation was being moved to Dec. 22 (Sunday) to avoid a potential conflict with a playoff game. Dorm schedules were also modified, to accommodate the change in the graduation schedule.

Are the sh|tters winterized now?

 

[Lion84]

I have seen anything about this but maybe the student section will be handled in a similar way. Right of first refusal to season ticket holders. Remaining tickets made available to non ticket holding students. Maybe students will be allowed to buy a +1. We'll find out soon enough.

You would be crazy not to buy your tickets as a season ticket holder because they are already over $400 on the secondary market.

 

[Zenophile]

I’ll be there. Just prepaid for my tickets.

Same.

 

[hohmadw1978]

Are the sh|tters winterized now?

They are.

 

[PSUJam]

Remember that the committee said that they will be considering several factors in their final ranking to get the best matchups. It would not surprise me if they consider weather in the rankings so they can avoid any potential issues. For example, put PSU and other northern schools in as lower seeds so they have to travel to better climates, ie SEC territory.

From what I understand, the CFP sets seating prices and controls the money. PSU doesn't get the gate. That being said, a consideration in "several factors" is Beaver Stadium holds 40,000 more fans than most Southern Stadiums. And let's face it, money is driving everything at this point. So we have that going for us, which is nice.

 

[PSUJam]

Are the sh|tters winterized now?

They have randomly placed Port-a-Pottys on the concourse now, but no Cocktagons.

 

[LealandLoyal]

1. It might be better if it were on Friday night - it would be the only game on TV. The Saturday games are also going up against two NFL games, one at 1 PM and the other at 430. Hardcore Steeler and PSU fans would have to decide which game to watch if the PSU game is Sat afternoon (Steelers game is 430).

As a matter of discussion, the other (current ) projected host teams; Indiana's Fall graduation is Friday (12/20) - 11 AM and 3 PM. Sat would be better for them. Ohio State has their commencement on 12/15 - so no big deal for them which day. Tennesssee is December 14, so they can be open for any of the days.

2. I don't know what to tell you - part of the complaints have been that southern schools don't come to the north. Weather is part of it. Just deal with it. You have lived through bad weather before. You can do it again.

3. The prices (as I have been told) are set by the CFPC (or perhaps the NCAA). And the money goes to the revenue pool. $206X110,000 = $22,600,000 (although it probably won't be that, because I think $206 is the high end of the prices, and not all seats are this price). I think PSU gets parking, but not sure about concessions. I would assume PSU gets that, unless the CFPC also picks up the costs of purchasing the concession items. You are only getting one home game, so you gotta kinda take what you can get.

4. Yeah, that is going to be a problem. As Tom mentioned, it looks like the University did what they could do, but this is going to an issue - and perhaps that is another excuse to move the game to Friday. PSU graduation is set for a small ceremony Friday afternoon, nothing on Saturday, and full commencement on Sunday. (which makes it easier for the game, but maybe not for hotel). I will assume you have contacted hotels to determine capacity (?)

PSU is not moving the game to Philly or Pittsburgh. That is just not.....feasible....for any one of a number of reasons.

Edit - maybe an option is re-evaluate the schedule and move the PSU game to Wednesday or Thursday ahead of the weekend. Of course, that has it's own issues with people trying to get to the game.

Another thought: who is going to work the concessions in the stadium? Those workers are usually from student organizations who do it as fundraisers. Those students will almost certainly be home for the holidays. Also, they bus in loads/hundreds of folks from out of town to work the stadium and security. How would they get them contracted on such short notice? The whole thing is a logistical nightmare.

 

[psuro]

Another thought: who is going to work the concessions in the stadium? Those workers are usually from student organizations who do it as fundraisers. Those students will almost certainly be home for the holidays. Also, they bus in loads/hundreds of folks from out of town to work the stadium and security. How would they get them contracted on such short notice? The whole thing is a logistical nightmare.

I am going to guess it's not as much of a logistical nightmare as you might think. I would venture that the University had worked through these issues.

 

[NittPicker]

Another thought: who is going to work the concessions in the stadium? Those workers are usually from student organizations who do it as fundraisers. Those students will almost certainly be home for the holidays. Also, they bus in loads/hundreds of folks from out of town to work the stadium and security. How would they get them contracted on such short notice? The whole thing is a logistical nightmare.

You’re making a potential home playoff game much more complicated than it really is.

 

[JWB389]

Another thought: who is going to work the concessions in the stadium? Those workers are usually from student organizations who do it as fundraisers. Those students will almost certainly be home for the holidays.

Is that still the case? I believe it used to be, but not sure any more. Most of the people who wait on me are adults. Maybe some students, but not a huge percentage.

 

[manatree]

Another thought: who is going to work the concessions in the stadium? Those workers are usually from student organizations who do it as fundraisers. Those students will almost certainly be home for the holidays. Also, they bus in loads/hundreds of folks from out of town to work the stadium and security. How would they get them contracted on such short notice? The whole thing is a logistical nightmare.

Every single game is a logistical nightmare and yet they somehow pull it off without having to move games to Philly or Pittsburgh. One thing for sure, there will still be plenty of people whining no matter how well or not so well it goes.

 

[Anon1640372757]

Are the sh|tters winterized now?