You're probably staring at your calendar or a half-empty bag of chips wondering exactly when to park yourself on the couch. We've all been there. If you're looking for what time does Penn State play Saturday, specifically for January 17, 2026, you aren't just looking for one time slot. Since the football pads are tucked away in the equipment room for the winter, the Nittany Lion schedule is scattered across rinks, courts, and tracks.
It is a busy day in Happy Valley.
Honestly, it's one of those Saturdays where if you're a die-hard fan, you're going to have about six different tabs open on your browser. Between the hockey pucks dropping and the track spikes hitting the dirt, the timing is all over the place. Let’s break down the actual clock times so you don't miss the start of the games.
The Big Saturday Headliners: Hockey and Volleyball
If you want the high-energy stuff, you're looking at the evening. The most anticipated matchup for many is definitely the ice hockey game. Penn State Men’s Ice Hockey plays Notre Dame at 8:00 PM EST. This one is happening right at home at the Pegula Ice Arena. If you’ve ever been there, you know the atmosphere is basically electric, especially when the Irish come to town. It’s a late start, which gives you plenty of time to grab dinner downtown before the puck drops.
Then you've got the volleyball guys. Penn State Men’s Volleyball takes on Lewis at 7:00 PM EST. This is also a home game. If you're trying to double-dip, you might catch the end of the volleyball match before sprinting over to the hockey rink, though the timing is a bit tight.
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Morning and Afternoon: Tennis and Track
For the early birds, the action starts way before the sun even thinks about setting. The Nittany Lion Challenge for Track & Field is a massive "All Day" affair, but the official start time is listed for 10:00 AM EST at the Multi-Sport Facility.
Men’s Tennis is actually pulling a double-header on campus. This is sort of a marathon for them. First, Penn State Men’s Tennis plays Cleveland State at 11:00 AM EST. After they catch their breath and maybe some Gatorade, they are back at it. The second match for Men’s Tennis is against Fordham at 4:00 PM EST. Both of these are at the Indoor Tennis Center, so if you like the smell of fresh tennis balls, that’s your spot for the day.
Road Games: Gymnastics and Ice Hockey
Not everyone is staying in State College. The Women’s Ice Hockey team is playing Syracuse at 3:00 PM EST. This is an away game, so you'll be looking for a stream for that one.
The Women’s Gymnastics team is also traveling. They are facing Illinois. While some schedules might show "Friday" for the start of the meet, the competitive weekend wraps up with them on the road. Always check the Big Ten+ streams for these, as they tend to be the only place to catch the floor routines live.
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Summary of Start Times for January 17, 2026:
- 10:00 AM: Track & Field (Nittany Lion Challenge) at Home
- 11:00 AM: Men’s Tennis vs. Cleveland State at Home
- 1:00 PM: Penn State Abington (Regional) Men’s Basketball vs. Rosemont
- 3:00 PM: Women’s Ice Hockey at Syracuse (Away)
- 4:00 PM: Men’s Tennis vs. Fordham at Home
- 7:00 PM: Men’s Volleyball vs. Lewis at Home
- 8:00 PM: Men’s Ice Hockey vs. Notre Dame at Home
What About Basketball?
This is where people usually get tripped up. The main Penn State Men's Basketball team (the one that plays in the Big Ten) actually plays Sunday, January 18, not Saturday. They are scheduled to face Maryland at 12:00 PM EST.
However, if you are looking for the regional campuses, Penn State Abington is playing Rosemont College at 1:00 PM on Saturday. It's a common mix-up when you're just Googling "Penn State score" or "Penn State schedule." Make sure you aren't showing up to the Bryce Jordan Center on Saturday afternoon expecting a hoop game, or you’ll be greeted by empty seats and maybe a cleaning crew.
Where to Watch and Stay Updated
Most of the home events that aren't on major networks like BTN (Big Ten Network) will be on B1G+. It’s a subscription service, which is kinda annoying if you only watch a few games a year, but it’s the only way to see the niche sports like volleyball or gymnastics.
For the Men’s Ice Hockey game against Notre Dame, keep an eye on the local listings. Often, these high-profile hockey games get picked up by the main Big Ten Network or even Peacock, depending on the week's lineup.
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Basically, your best bet is to check the official GoPSUSports website about two hours before the event. They are usually pretty good about posting the "Watch" links directly on the schedule page once the broadcast rights are finalized for that specific day.
If you are heading to the games in person, remember that parking around the Multi-Sport Facility and Pegula can get a bit hairy when there are three or four events happening at once. Give yourself an extra 20 minutes. There is nothing worse than hearing the roar of the crowd from the parking lot because you couldn't find a spot.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Verify your stream: Log into your B1G+ account now to make sure your password still works before the 11:00 AM tennis start.
- Check the weather: If you're attending the Nittany Lion Challenge or the hockey game, January in State College is notoriously brutal—dress in layers for the walk from the parking decks.
- Set Alerts: Use a sports app to set a notification for "8:00 PM" so you don't miss the puck drop for the Notre Dame game.