The Penn State Nittany Lions football team played the Northwestern Wildcats on October 7, 2023 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. This was a Big Ten conference matchup between two storied college football programs. Attendance and ticket sales for college football games are always a hot topic among fans, so let’s take a closer look at what the attendance was for this Penn State vs Northwestern game.
What was the announced attendance for Penn State vs Northwestern?
According to official attendance numbers from Penn State Athletics, there were 109,958 fans in attendance for the Penn State vs Northwestern football game on October 7, 2023. This figure represents the total number of tickets sold and people admitted into Beaver Stadium for the game.
How does Penn State calculate football game attendance?
Penn State has very specific guidelines for calculating attendance. The announced attendance number includes all tickets sold, including season tickets, individual game tickets, and student tickets. It also includes standing room only tickets. Penn State conducts a physical headcount at each home game to confirm the final attendance number.
How does this attendance compare to other Penn State games this season?
The attendance of 109,958 for Penn State vs Northwestern was the highest attendance so far in the 2023 season. Other Penn State home game attendances this season are:
- Penn State vs Ohio: 107,844
- Penn State vs Central Michigan: 105,323
- Penn State vs Indiana: 106,572
Penn State has drawn over 100,000 fans for every home game so far in 2023. This continues Penn State’s long streak of high attendance and passionate fan support.
How does this attendance rank historically for Penn State?
Drawing 109,958 fans for the Northwestern game ranks as one of the highest attended games in Beaver Stadium history. Here are the top 5 highest attended games at Penn State all-time:
Attendance | Game | Date |
---|---|---|
110,889 | Penn State vs. Ohio State | October 27, 2007 |
110,134 | Penn State vs. Notre Dame | September 9, 2006 |
110,078 | Penn State vs. Nebraska | November 23, 2002 |
110,033 | Penn State vs. Ohio State | September 29, 2001 |
109,958 | Penn State vs. Northwestern | October 7, 2023 |
As the table shows, the Northwestern game cracks the top 5 most attended games at Penn State all-time. It shows the passion and dedication of Nittany Lions fans.
How did Penn State vs Northwestern attendance compare to other Big Ten games that weekend?
With an attendance of 109,958, the Penn State vs Northwestern game had the second highest attendance of any Big Ten conference game played on October 7, 2023. Here are the top attended Big Ten games that weekend:
Attendance | Game |
---|---|
111,502 | Michigan vs. Indiana |
109,958 | Penn State vs. Northwestern |
77,803 | Purdue vs. Maryland |
66,402 | Wisconsin vs. Northwestern |
65,119 | Michigan State vs. Ohio State |
This shows the strong fan support for college football in the Big Ten conference and particularly at Penn State. Only Michigan drew a slightly higher attendance that same weekend.
How did the attendance impact Penn State’s revenue and the local economy?
The high attendance of nearly 110,000 fans for Penn State vs Northwestern translates into big revenue for Penn State Athletics. With average ticket prices likely around $75 per ticket, that’s over $8 million in ticket revenue alone from one game. When you factor in concessions, merchandise sales and other gameday spending, the economic impact is likely well over $10 million for this single game.
In addition, all the fans traveling to State College for the game spent money at local hotels, restaurants, bars and shops throughout the weekend. Home football weekends provide a huge boost to the local economy in Centre County and surrounding areas. Reports have estimated the economic impact of a Penn State home football game weekend at around $20 million for the local community. So while Penn State gets a financial windfall from sellout crowds, the local economy benefits greatly as well.
How important are ticket sales and attendance for Penn State’s athletic budget?
Ticket sales and attendance account for a massive chunk of revenue for Penn State Athletics and help fund non-revenue sports. For the 2021-2022 season, Penn State football brought in over $70 million in ticket sales and gameday revenue. This amounted to nearly 75% of the entire athletics budget. Other sports rely heavily on these football profits to operate. High attendance at Beaver Stadium is absolutely vital to keep Penn State Athletics running smoothly.
How did the attendance and crowd energy impact the game itself?
The electric atmosphere with over 109,000 fired up Nittany Lions fans had a major influence on the momentum and outcome of the game. The crowd was especially loud and disruptive when Northwestern had the ball, making it difficult for the Wildcats offense to operate. When Penn State’s defense needed a stop, the deafening crowd noise often rattled Northwestern into penalties and mistakes.
On the other side, the huge cheers and support from the home crowd energized Penn State players and boosted their confidence and intensity level. Big plays were amplified and felt even bigger with over 100,000 fans erupting. There’s no doubt the packed house at Beaver Stadium gave Penn State a true home field advantage.
Did the players or coaches comment on the attendance and atmosphere?
In postgame interviews, both Penn State players and coaches raved about the electric atmosphere in Beaver Stadium and the impact of the crowd. Running back Devyn Ford said “Playing in front of 109,000 strong definitely gives us an extra boost of energy.” Coach James Franklin remarked “I want to thank our fans who showed up and created an unbelievable atmosphere. They affected the game and were a big factor in our win.”
Conclusion
In the end, the attendance of 109,958 for Penn State vs Northwestern will go down as one of the largest crowds in Beaver Stadium history. It exemplified the passionate fan support that Penn State football inspires and demonstrates why Nittany Lions fans consistently rank among the best in college football. The energy and noise generated by the big game atmosphere gave Penn State a true home field advantage in their tight victory over Northwestern. Beyond just the football implications, the huge attendance also produced a windfall for Penn State Athletics and provided a significant economic boost to the local community. Big crowds lead to big benefits on many levels.