If you’re staring at your phone trying to figure out exactly what time does Penn State play, you aren't alone. It’s the age-old struggle for Nittany Lion fans. Whether it’s a random Tuesday in January or a massive White Out game in October, the timing is everything.
Right now, it’s early 2026. We are in the thick of the winter sports grind. While everyone’s mind naturally drifts toward Beaver Stadium, the actual "now" involves a lot of hardwood and ice.
The Immediate Calendar: Basketball and Beyond
Honestly, if you're looking for a game today, Tuesday, January 13, 2026, you're likely following the smaller campus matchups or looking ahead to the big Big Ten showdowns tomorrow. For instance, the main Penn State men's basketball squad is gearing up for a clash against Ohio State tomorrow, January 14, at 3:10 PM.
Wait, 3:10 PM on a Wednesday? Yeah, the Big Ten scheduling can be weird.
If you follow the commonwealth campuses, Penn State Berks has a double-header today. The men's team takes on Penn College at 5:00 PM, followed by the women at 7:30 PM. It’s a busy night for the satellite programs.
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What Time Does Penn State Play Football in 2026?
Okay, let's talk about the elephant in the room: Football. We are months away from the 2026 kickoff, but the schedule is already set in stone—mostly.
The season opener is scheduled for Saturday, September 5, 2025, against Marshall at Beaver Stadium.
Here is the thing about kickoff times: they are rarely announced this far in advance. Usually, the Big Ten and their TV partners (Fox, CBS, NBC) wait until late May to announce the times for the first three weeks. For the rest of the season, you’re usually looking at a 6-day or 12-day window. It’s frustrating. You want to plan a tailgate, but you don't know if you're eating breakfast burritos at 8:00 AM or wings at 4:00 PM.
Based on the 2026 schedule, here is who they play:
- Sept 5: Marshall (Home)
- Sept 12: at Temple (Philadelphia)
- Sept 19: Buffalo (Home)
- TBA: Minnesota, Purdue, Rutgers, USC, Wisconsin (Home Games)
- TBA: Maryland, Michigan, Northwestern, Washington (Away Games)
The trip to Seattle to play Washington is going to be the massive outlier. If that game lands in a late-night slot, East Coast fans will be chugging coffee until 2:00 AM.
Why Kickoff Times Keep Changing
TV money runs the world. That’s basically the short answer.
In the old days, you could almost bet on a 12:00 PM or 3:30 PM start. Now, with the "Big Ten Saturday Night" on NBC and the "Big Noon Kickoff" on Fox, Penn State is constantly shuffled around to maximize eyeballs.
The White Out game is the one everyone watches. If Penn State plays USC at home this year (which is on the 2026 home slate), you can almost guarantee that will be a 7:30 PM or 8:00 PM kickoff. It’s the premier atmosphere in college sports. They aren't wasting that at noon.
Navigating the Winter 2026 Slate
If you are looking for other sports this week, the schedule is packed:
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- Wednesday, Jan 14: Men’s Basketball vs. Ohio State at 3:10 PM.
- Wednesday, Jan 14: UCLA vs. Penn State (specific matchups vary by sport) often land in that 5:10 PM window.
- Friday, Jan 16: Hockey and Wrestling usually dominate Friday nights. Notre Dame is a frequent hockey opponent in mid-January, often playing around 3:40 PM or 4:40 PM depending on the TV regional.
Always check the official GoPSUsports site on the morning of the game. Seriously. Game times for sports like baseball (which starts Feb 13 in Arizona) can shift because of weather or travel delays.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
Stop guessing and start automating your schedule.
First, go to the official Penn State Athletics website and find the "Add to Calendar" feature. This syncs the schedule directly to your Google or Apple calendar. When a "TBA" time finally gets updated to 3:30 PM, your phone will just know.
Second, if you’re heading to State College, download the Penn State Athletics app. It’s the only way to manage your tickets now—everything is mobile. It also gives you live "time to kickoff" countdowns and traffic alerts for Atherton Street.
Lastly, follow the beat writers on X (formerly Twitter). Guys like Audrey Snyder or the folks at Blue White Illustrated often leak the "6-day window" times a few hours before the official Big Ten press release. It gives you a head start on booking that hotel room or telling your boss you won't be in on Monday.
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The bottom line is that while we know who Penn State plays in 2026, the when is a moving target. Keep your Saturdays flexible and your chargers ready.