Skip to main content
penn-state logo

When will the Penn State football Homecoming game be in 2025?

Greg Pickelby:Greg Pickel•about 11 hours•

GregPickel

nittany-lion-mascot-penn-state-football-on3
(Credit: Daniel Althouse | Blue White Illustrated)

The first game theme is in for the 2025 Penn State football season. The Nittany Lions’ annual Homecoming game will take place on Oct. 11. Northwestern visits Beaver Stadium that day to conclude a week of Homecoming festivities that start on Oct. 5. A kickoff time is not yet set for the Saturday tilt. In the past, though, the Homecoming game has almost always started at either Noon ET or 3:30 p.m. ET. So, one of those time slots is likely for this Big Ten contest. However, it should be noted that last year’s Homecoming game with Illinois was in primetime.

Head coach James Franklin’s team continues winter workouts as a consensus top-five team heading into spring practice. However, head coach David Braun’s side finds itself in a much different predicament. Coming off of a 4-8 season that featured just a 2-7 record in conference play, the Wildcats check in at No. 87 overall in ESPN data analyst and college football expert Bill Connelly’s initial SP+ metrics for 2025. Using those as a guide, the Lions project as roughly a 34-point favorite when three points are factored in for home-field advantage. FanDuel lists the Northwestern win total at 3.5. It’s juiced to the over, meaning the book expects the Wildcats to win four or more games in the fall. Still, returning to the postseason is unlikely at this moment in time.

What other game themes must Penn State pick?

With Homecoming out of the way, all attention will now turn to the White Out game. As of Friday, Penn State has not said when it will be. However, logic indicates that it will be called for when Oregon visits Beaver Stadium on Sept. 27. If it is the B1G Noon Kickoff on FOX, that could change. But, if the game is in primetime as expected, then the Ducks should experience a White Out at Beaver Stadium for the first time.

The Lions also must decide if they will continue their helmet stripe and Stripe Out game themes this year, as well. Those picks have not yet been made, either.

Will Beaver Stadium be at full capacity for Homecoming?

That’s the hope, and belief, of athletic director Pat Kraft. Speaking with reporters on Monday for the first time since last July, he said that the ongoing $700 million Beaver Stadium renovation project should not impact how many seats are available this fall.

“We should be at full capacity, with the temp [seating], we’ll be really, really close,” Kraft said. He went on to note that parking and stadium entry shouldn’t be impacted during the regular season. But, time will tell.”

You can read more of Kraft’s comments about the Beaver Stadium renovation project here.

You may also like