If you're asking who does Penn State play tonight, you're likely looking for the big ticket at Pegula Ice Arena. Tonight, Saturday, January 17, 2026, the Penn State Nittany Lions men's hockey team is taking on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
It's a massive Big Ten clash. Puck drop is scheduled for 8:00 PM EST. Honestly, if you've ever been to a game in State College, you know the atmosphere is going to be electric, especially with the Roar Zone in full mid-season form. This isn't just a casual Saturday night game; it’s the second half of a double-header weekend where every point in the conference standings feels like it's worth double.
But wait—Penn State is a massive school with teams competing in basically everything. While hockey is the main event under the lights tonight, the schedule for the rest of the weekend is pretty packed across various campuses and sports.
The Big Matchup: Penn State vs. Notre Dame (Men's Hockey)
The Nittany Lions are hosting Notre Dame at the Pegula Ice Arena. If you’re planning on heading over, you should know that the doors usually open about 90 minutes before the 8:00 PM start time.
Notre Dame has had a bit of a rough go lately, coming in with a 4-16-1 record, but in Big Ten hockey, records are kinda deceptive. These teams play each other so hard that anything can happen. Penn State has been much stronger this season, but they can't afford a "trap game" performance here.
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Game Details for Tonight:
- Opponent: Notre Dame Fighting Irish
- Time: 8:00 PM EST
- Venue: Pegula Ice Arena, University Park, PA
- Broadcast: Usually found on B1G+ or the Penn State Sports Network for radio listeners.
If you’re looking for tickets last minute, check the verified resale sites. Prices have been hovering around $45 for concourse level and upwards of $80-90 for the lower bowl sections like 109 or 114. Just a heads up—Pegula has a strict no re-entry policy and requires a ticket for everyone, even the little ones.
What Happened with Penn State Wrestling?
A lot of folks searching for who does Penn State play tonight might actually be looking for the wrestling results. If you were hoping to catch a dual tonight, you actually just missed a masterclass.
Cael Sanderson’s squad traveled to Iowa City last night (Friday, Jan 16) and absolutely dismantled the Hawkeyes 32-3. It was a statement win in one of the most hostile environments in college sports. Shayne Van Ness and Mitchell Mesenbrink looked untouchable.
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The wrestlers aren't on the mat tonight because they’re currently traveling. They head to Evanston to face Northwestern tomorrow, Sunday, January 18, at 3:00 PM EST. So, no wrestling tonight, but you’ve got a great reason to stay on the couch tomorrow afternoon.
Other Nittany Lion Action This Weekend
Penn State isn't just University Park. The "Commonwealth Campus" system means there are games happening all over the state.
- Penn State Abington Men's Basketball: They played earlier today at 1:00 PM against Rosemont College.
- Penn State Harrisburg Men's Basketball: They were also in action at 1:00 PM today, hitting the road to face Penn College in Williamsport.
- Lady Lions Basketball: The women's team at University Park doesn't play tonight. They are prepping for a home game against Rutgers tomorrow (Sunday) at 1:00 PM EST. Moriah Murray has been on a tear lately, dropping 25 points in their last outing, so that’s definitely one to watch if you’re a hoops fan.
Confusion with the "Penn" Quakers
It’s a common mix-up, but the University of Pennsylvania (the Quakers in Philly) is also very active today. If you're looking for the Penn Quakers:
- Men’s Basketball: They are playing at Dartmouth today at 3:00 PM.
- Women’s Basketball: They hosted Harvard at The Palestra earlier this afternoon at 2:00 PM.
Make sure you're looking at the right "Penn" before you place any bets or drive to the wrong stadium!
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How to Follow the Action
If you aren't one of the lucky ones with a seat in the Roar Zone tonight, you've still got options. The Penn State Athletics website (GoPSUsports) is the best hub for live stats. For the hockey game, B1G+ is usually the streaming home, though you'll want to check if it got picked up by the Big Ten Network for a national broadcast.
Radio is a great fallback too. The Penn State Sports Network covers the state, and you can usually find the stream on the LionVision app. There’s something classic about listening to hockey on the radio while doing stuff around the house.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you're gearing up for the 8:00 PM puck drop, here is what you should do:
- Check the Weather: State College in January is no joke. If you're walking from the parking decks to Pegula, dress in layers.
- Download the App: Get the Penn State Athletics app for real-time score alerts. It's faster than most of the sports betting apps or Google’s refresh rate.
- Plan for Tomorrow: Since the Lady Lions and the Wrestling team both play on Sunday, clear your schedule starting around 1:00 PM tomorrow for a full day of Nittany Lion coverage.
- Ticket Check: If you're buying second-hand, make sure they are transferred through the official Ticketmaster portal to avoid getting scammed at the gate.
The Nittany Lions are in the heart of the winter season, and tonight's hockey game is a perfect way to spend a Saturday night in Hockey Valley.