If you’re standing in the middle of State College right now, you probably feel that specific mid-January chill. It's that time of year when the roar of Beaver Stadium feels like a distant memory, but the energy inside Rec Hall and Pegula Ice Arena is just starting to hit a fever pitch. Honestly, trying to track down exactly when is Penn State playing can feel like a part-time job because "Penn State" isn't just one team. It's a massive machine of athletes across a dozen different sports.
Right now, we are deep in the winter grind. While everyone is already whispering about the 2026 football season and those massive matchups against USC and Michigan, the real action today is on the hardwood and the ice.
The Immediate Slate: Basketball and Hockey Heat Up
For those looking for a game tonight or this weekend, the Bryce Jordan Center is the place to be. The men's basketball team is right in the thick of Big Ten play, and let me tell you, the schedule in January is absolutely brutal. They just came off a tough battle against UCLA yesterday, January 14.
If you missed that one, don't sweat it. You've got plenty of chances coming up. Here is the immediate outlook for the men's hoops team:
- Sunday, January 18: They head to Maryland to take on the Terrapins at 11:00 AM CST.
- Thursday, January 22: Back home at the BJC against Wisconsin at 6:00 PM CST.
- Monday, January 26: A road trip to Columbus to face Ohio State at 6:00 PM CST.
It doesn’t get any easier in February, either. They start the month hosting Minnesota on February 1 before hitting the road again for Michigan on February 5. Basically, if it’s a Thursday or a Sunday, there’s a high probability the Lions are on the court.
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Puck Drop at Pegula
If hockey is more your speed—and let’s be real, the atmosphere at Pegula Ice Arena is maybe the best kept secret in college sports—you’ve got some massive series coming up. The Nittany Lions just finished a sweep of Minnesota (huge, by the way), and the momentum is real.
Friday, January 16 and Saturday, January 17 are the dates to circle. Notre Dame is coming to town. The Friday game is a B1G+ stream, but if you want the full experience, Saturday’s game is at 8:00 PM and will be on the Big Ten Network. After that, the boys head to Madison to face Wisconsin on January 23-24.
When is Penn State Playing Football? Looking Ahead to 2026
I know, I know. For most of you, "playing" means football. Even though the Pinstripe Bowl win over Clemson on December 27 feels like it just happened, the countdown to the 2026 opener is already ticking.
The 2025 season had its ups and downs—that heartbreaking 2OT loss to Oregon in the White Out still stings—but the 2026 schedule is shaping up to be a gauntlet. We don’t have every single kickoff time yet (the networks usually hoard those until six days before the game), but we do have the dates for the non-conference slate.
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- September 5, 2026: Marshall at Beaver Stadium.
- September 12, 2026: At Temple (Lincoln Financial Field will basically be Beaver Stadium East).
- September 19, 2026: Buffalo at Beaver Stadium.
The Big Ten schedule is where things get wild. In 2026, Penn State is slated to host some heavy hitters. Expect to see Minnesota, Purdue, Rutgers, USC, and Wisconsin all making the trip to Happy Valley. On the flip side, the Lions have to travel to Maryland, Michigan, Northwestern, and Washington. Yes, a trip to Seattle is on the books. Start saving those airline miles now.
The Wrestling Dynasty
We can't talk about Penn State sports without mentioning Cael Sanderson’s crew. They are the gold standard. If you want to see the most dominant team on campus, you need to know when the wrestlers are hitting the mat.
Keep an eye on Friday, January 16. They are at Iowa. It’s a road meet, but it’ll be on the Big Ten Network at 7:00 PM. Then, they come back home to Rec Hall on Friday, January 23 to face Indiana. Tickets for these meets are notoriously harder to get than football tickets, so if you're looking to go, check the secondary markets early.
Why the Schedule Always Feels Like It's Changing
You've probably noticed that sometimes a game is listed as "TBA" for months. That’s because of the Big Ten’s media rights deals with FOX, CBS, and NBC. They usually use a "selection window."
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Most game times are announced either 12 days or 6 days before kickoff. For winter sports like basketball, the times are generally set further in advance, but television networks still have the right to move things around for "flex" scheduling if a matchup suddenly becomes a Top-25 showdown.
Honestly, the best way to stay on top of it is to use the official GoPSUsports app, but even then, it’s a bit of a moving target.
Actionable Steps for the Dedicated Fan
If you're trying to plan your life around these games, don't just wing it. Here is how you actually stay ahead of the curve:
- Sync the Calendar: Most official athletic sites have an "Add to Calendar" button. Do it. It’ll auto-update when those "TBA" times finally turn into actual numbers.
- Watch the Secondary Markets: For hockey and wrestling, do not wait for the box office. They sell out. Use verified platforms like Ticketmaster or SeatGeek, but check the "Sittin’ Single" groups on social media for face-value deals from alumni who can't make it.
- The "Six-Day" Rule: For football fans, never book non-refundable travel based on a "noon kickoff" rumor. Wait until the Monday prior to the game when the Big Ten confirms the time.
- Streaming Strategy: Make sure you have your B1G+ subscription sorted if you want to watch the "smaller" sports like volleyball, gymnastics, or the early rounds of wrestling. A lot of these don't make the main Big Ten Network channel.
Whether you're looking for the next puck drop or the first kickoff of the 2026 season, the Lions are pretty much always active. Just keep your eyes on those Sunday and Thursday windows for hoops, and get ready for a very busy fall once September 5 rolls around.