Citing growth in fan attendance and higher operational costs, Penn State announced on Thursday that some fans will be required to pay for parking at the 2017 Blue-White Game.
Fans arriving on game day who did not have 2016 season tickets and parking will be charged $20, cash only, for parking at the 2017 Blue White game, which is set for April 22. Day of game parking for non-season ticket holders with RVs also will be $20.
Season ticket holders with season parking permits will not be charged for parking. They’ll receive a Blue-White Game pass with their 2016 season tickets and parking. Blue-White Game parking will be in the preferred lots adjacent to the stadium. RV permit-holders will receive Blue-White game permits, but a charge of $60 will remain for all RVs to park overnight Friday.
For most of the 65 years of the annual spring game, there has been no charge for parking. Admission to the game will remain free
The game annually costs Penn State’s Athletic Department more than $500,000 according to a press release. More than 650 staff and volunteers from the athletic department law enforcement, emergency services and elsewhere are in and around the stadium from early morning until the evening on game day. Staffing was reduced from about 700 to just over 650 this year to reduce expenses.
University and athletic department staff spend more than 3,000 hours preparing for the game, according to the release. Expenses continue after the game as well, with clean-up inside and outside the stadium costing nearly $70,000
