Penn State football games are a huge deal in State College, with over 100,000 fans packing Beaver Stadium for home games. As a Penn State student, scoring tickets to see the Nittany Lions play is considered a rite of passage. While student season tickets are available, there is often more demand than supply, meaning you’ll need to go through Ticketmaster if you hope to get into the biggest games. Here’s what Penn State students need to know about getting football tickets through Ticketmaster.
Student Season Tickets
Penn State offers student season ticket packages in the student sections at Beaver Stadium. The tickets are loaded onto your student ID card for contactless entry. Season tickets give you a reserved seat for every home game. The tickets are offered at a heavily discounted rate of just $280 for the entire 7-game home slate.
Student season tickets go on sale each spring, usually in April. You’ll get an email notification from the ticket office when sales begin. The tickets are first-come, first-served, so you’ll want to buy yours right away before they sell out. Only full-time students are eligible. Graduate students get a small ticket allotment, while most tickets are reserved for undergrads. To allow access for all students, you can only purchase one season ticket.
While season tickets secure your seats, many students opt to get them even if they can’t attend every game. You can easily sell or give away tickets you don’t need through Facebook groups and other platforms. Having the season tickets locks in the discounted rate and guarantees you’ll have seats waiting for the biggest games.
Buying Single Game Tickets
If you don’t have season tickets, the only way to buy student tickets for in-demand games is through Ticketmaster. This includes the “White Out” against Michigan and other marquee matchups.
Student tickets on Ticketmaster go on sale a few weeks before each home game. The athletic department will announce the exact on-sale dates and times. You’ll need to log into Ticketmaster and queue up when sales begin. Tickets are priced dynamically based on demand. Expect to pay anywhere from $40-60 for upper deck seats to over $100 for lower bowl seats.
Ticketmaster uses Verified Fan for student ticket sales. You’ll need to register ahead of time and get a unique code to access the sale. This helps prevent bots from gobbling up all the tickets and allows Ticketmaster to limit purchases. Make sure you’re verified in advance so you don’t get shut out when tickets go on sale.
On sale day, you’ll select your tickets and check out like a normal Ticketmaster purchase. Tickets will be sent to your MyPennState account and you’ll have the option to transfer them to a friend. Be aware that student tickets can only be transferred to other current students. You’ll need to show your Penn State ID when entering the stadium. Security checks ID numbers against the ticket list to prevent unauthorized use.
Ticketmaster Tips and Strategies
Here are some key strategies for successfully getting Penn State student tickets on Ticketmaster:
- Get verified ASAP – As soon as student ticket sales are announced, register for the Verified Fan system. This will ensure you get a code to buy tickets when they go on sale.
- Watch for presales – Athletic department donors and Nittany Nation members sometimes get early access to purchase tickets before the student sale. Keep an eye out for presale announcements.
- Log in early – On ticket sale day, log into your Ticketmaster account at least 30 mins before the stated start time. The queue will open early and you want to get in line ASAP.
- Use multiple devices – Have a computer, smartphone, iPad, etc. all logged into Ticketmaster to increase your chances. Whoever gets through the queue first can purchase.
- Buy quickly – Have your payment info saved and be ready to checkout fast once tickets are in your cart. The best seats go first.
- Split up locations – If buying with a group, have each person queue for seats in a different section. Whoever gets through first can buy tickets for the whole crew.
- Consider resale – If the primary sale doesn’t work out, check for newly listed resale student tickets on Ticketmaster. These will be pricey but it’s your last shot.
Following these tips will give you the best opportunity to beat out other students and get those coveted tickets. Just be prepared for Ticketmaster crashes and long virtual lines. Persistence and patience are key.
Where Do Student Tickets Allow Access?
Penn State student football tickets grant access to the designated student sections in Beaver Stadium:
- Lower Student Sections – Sections NEZ, NN, OO on the lower east sideline have around 9,500 seats. These sell out fastest and are closest to the field.
- Upper Student Sections – Sections CS, DS, ES in the upper northeast corner have around 5,500 seats. These are in the end zone.
Within the student sections, seating is general admission. Gates open 2 hours before kickoff, with students allowed to enter 90 mins before the game. The sections fill up quickly, so arrive as early as possible if you want to sit lower down. Otherwise, you may be stuck up top or in standing room areas. Ushers will guide students to open seats as the sections fill up.
Some other tips for student ticketholders:
- Enter through Gates B or C – These are closest to the student sections
- No re-entry – If you leave the stadium, you can’t re-enter your section
- No alcohol sales – Beer sales cut off when student gates open
- Rowdy behavior expected – Students often stand the entire game and have raucous chants
While the student sections offer an amazing atmosphere, keep in mind you’ll be packed in tight and may face obstructed views. If you want a guaranteed seat and avoid the craziness, buying a non-student ticket can be worth it.
Can You Get Non-Student Tickets?
Penn State limits football ticket purchases to students only. Your school ID is checked upon stadium entry even if you have a non-student ticket. This prevents students from gobbling up better seats meant for other fans.
However, there are a couple ways you still may be able to score non-student tickets:
- Parents/Family – Students can often use tickets purchased by family members. Just make sure the tickets aren’t Will Call-only.
- Friends – Alumni with season tickets sometimes sell or give extras to current students.
- Secondary market – Non-student tickets can be purchased resale on StubHub, VividSeats, etc. Prices will be high for big games.
If you go this route, be discreet when entering and don’t openly flash non-student tickets. Technically, it’s against the athletic department’s policies but enforcement varies. You also run the risk of getting rejected at the gate. Use good judgment before pursuing non-student tickets.
Alternative Student Seating Areas
If the official student sections sell out fast and you strike out on non-student tickets, don’t lose hope yet. Penn State opens up some additional student seating areas for in-demand games:
- Grass Hill – The grass berm beyond the south end zone hosts thousands of students. First come, first served. No seatbacks.
- Upper Bowl Sidelines – Sections in the upper north end zone are opened for student overflow.
- Club Level – Select club sections convert to student general admission seating.
While not as ideal, these areas make sure every student has a chance to get in. Ushers will direct you on where to sit. You won’t have an assigned seat but at least you’ll be in the stadium. Keep these alternate areas in mind if the main student sections are hopelessly sold out.
Selling Extra Student Tickets
With Ticketmaster’s transfer option, it’s easier than ever for students to safely sell extra tickets. Here are some popular places students resell tickets:
- Penn State Ticket Exchange (Facebook) – Massive private group with 30K+ members strictly for buying/selling tickets.
- Craigslist – Students frequently list football tickets for local pickup.
- StubHub – Large resale marketplace where students can list their tickets.
- Ticketmaster – Students can transfer tickets directly to buyers via Ticketmaster.
When selling mobile tickets, make sure to use safe payment methods and only transfer once paid. Meet in public places and verify the buyer is a current student before transferring tickets. Avoid getting scammed by following standard safety precautions.
Selling through Penn State’s official Ticket Exchange on Facebook is highly recommended. You deal directly with other students, tickets transfer electronically, and payments happen off platform. This keeps things simple and secure.
Conclusion
Getting tickets to see Penn State football as a student requires strategy, preparation and a bit of luck. Opting for season tickets guarantees entry but still leaves some big games up to Ticketmaster. By following ticket sales closely, registering for Verified Fan, and employing multiple devices, you can hopefully beat the crowds and triumph over the competitive student ticket buying landscape. Just brace yourself for sellouts, crashed websites, and hours stuck in online queues along the way. Landing those iconic White Out seats makes it all worthwhile!