UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State football fans are demonstrating their excitement for new coach James Franklin and his squad, boosting the Nittany Lions’ home attendance an average of 7,110 over the first three games this season compared to the 2013 season.
Widely recognized as the nation’s most passionate and loyal alumni, fans and students, Penn State is nearly 24,000 tickets sold ahead of last year’s final total home attendance, with four games remaining in Beaver Stadium. Nittany Lion fans pushed this year’s ticket total above the 2013 final tally a week prior to the season opening win over UCF.
“Penn State alumni, fans, students and the University community are clearly energized by coach Franklin, his squad and staff and our home attendance is going against the trend some teams are experiencing,” stated Tom McGrath, associate athletic director for business relations and communications. “The loyal and passionate fans have demonstrated tremendous support for the program, resulting in increased season tickets, single game and group sales tickets. We’re also seeing long-time fans who are inspiring more recent graduates and younger fans to support Penn State by buying season football tickets.”
Through the first three home games of this season (Akron, UMass and Northwestern), the combined total attendance is 299,419 for an average of 99,806 per game. In 2013, the combined home attendance after the first three home games (Eastern Michigan, UCF and Kent State) was 278,089, for an average of 92,696 per contest, for an average increase of 7,110 fans per game this season.
The fourth home game during the 2013 season was the thrilling 43-40 Homecoming overtime win over Michigan, that drew a primetime sellout audience of 107,884. This season’s fourth home game is an Oct. 25 night game vs. Big Ten East Division rival Ohio State that is nearing a sellout in the 106,572-seat Beaver Stadium. All Nittany Lion fans are encouraged to wear white to the Ohio State game for the Penn State White Out contest.
Penn State fans have kept the Nittany Lions among the top five nationally in home attendance every season since 1991, according to the NCAA.
The Beaver Stadium crowd of 102,910 last Saturday against Northwestern was the largest for a Penn State home day game since the 2011 season. Ticket sales for the Nov. 1 home game versus Maryland also have already surpassed 100,000.
This past June, the student section ESPN The Magazine has called "The Nation's No. 1 Student Section," sold out its full season allotment of 21,000-plus in a matter of hours. The frenetic and dedicated Penn State students saw the incoming freshman class consume its allotment of 5,000-plus season tickets in just six minutes. All four classes and graduate students sold out their allotments each day during the Penn State student sale.
More than 6,000 new Penn State football season tickets, 1,200 partial season tickets and 72,000 single game and group sale tickets have been sold this season.
Tickets are available for Penn State’s final three home games of the season: Nov. 1 vs. Maryland (All-University Day and THON Day); Nov. 15 vs. Temple (Military Appreciation Day/Seats For Soldiers) and the Nov. 29 Senior Day clash with Michigan State. The kick times for all three games are to be determined.
Penn State season ticket holders will begin receiving 2015 renewal information in mid-October. Season tickets for the 2015 season are available in all pricing categories.
The Nittany Lions (4-1, 1-1) have a bye this week and return to action Oct. 11 at Michigan. The game will kick at 7 p.m. and air on ESPN2, the Penn State Sports Network (5:30 p.m. airtime) and www.GoPSUsports.com.
Penn State Football is on Twitter (@PennStateFball) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/PSUFball).