Penn State will have more than one team competing in Philadelphia this weekend as Nittany Lion football takes on Temple at Lincoln Financial Field and the No. 12 women’s volleyball team faces No. 4 Stanford at The Palestra.
The football game will draw Penn State fans to South Philadelphia on Saturday, while Friday night’s volleyball match gives fans an opportunity to see another nationally ranked Nittany Lions team compete in one of the city’s most historic sports venues.
Penn State’s Philadelphia Alumni Association chapter has events planned throughout the weekend, including a Friday night pregame party and a Saturday morning tailgate near Lincoln Financial Field.
Penn State Women’s Volleyball at The Palestra
The weekend begins Friday night when No. 12 Penn State women’s volleyball takes on No. 4 Stanford at 6 p.m. at The Palestra. It will be Penn State’s first volleyball match at the historic Philadelphia venue in 41 years.
The Nittany Lions previously played at The Palestra only once, sweeping Penn 3-0 on Nov. 2, 1985. The match is part of The Palestra’s 100th anniversary celebration, while also bringing together the two winningest programs in NCAA Division I women’s volleyball history.
Stanford has won nine national championships while Penn State has won eight, including the Nittany Lions’ most recent title in 2024. Both teams enter the match at 4-1. Stanford is ranked fourth nationally and Penn State is ranked 12th.
The teams have met 27 times with Stanford holding a 14-13 advantage. Penn State won the most recent meeting in five sets in 2022.
Fans attending the match should be prepared for security screening. The Palestra allows bags smaller than 16 by 16 by 8 inches and prohibits large bags such as duffel or equipment bags. All guests and belongings are subject to security searches.
Outside food must be wrapped in clear plastic or placed in sealed plastic containers and large quantities of food, including pizza boxes and catering trays, are prohibited. Sealed plastic water bottles, juice boxes and pouches are permitted. Glass bottles and cans, coolers, weapons and other prohibited items are not allowed.
Doors generally open one hour before women’s volleyball matches. The Palestra also has a no re-entry policy unless a fan receives a signature from a gate supervisor in an emergency situation.
Penn State Philly’s Roar Tour
Penn State fans can start the football weekend Friday evening at Cira Green, where the Penn State Alumni Association Philadelphia Chapter and the Nittany Lion Club will host the Roar Tour from 5 to 11 p.m.
The event will include food and beverages available for purchase from Sunset Social along with appearances by the Penn State cheerleaders, the Nittany Lion and other special guests.
Cira Green is also within walking distance of The Palestra, allowing fans to attend the volleyball match and return to the alumni event afterward. Fans who do not attend the match can watch it on a large LED screen at Cira Green.
Penn State-themed tomato pies coming to Collegeville
Penn State football fans looking for food to bring to a watch party or tailgate can order custom Penn State and Temple tomato pies from Collegeville Italian Bakery Pizzeria Napoletana.
The bakery announced on Instagram that it will be accepting orders ahead of Saturday’s noon kickoff, offering custom pies featuring the logos of both teams. The bakery says the pies are available for fans tailgating at the game or watching from home.
Orders can be placed by calling 610-489-3354.
Penn State-Temple at Lincoln Financial Field
The main event comes Saturday when No. 16 Penn State faces Temple at noon at Lincoln Financial Field.
The Nittany Lions opened the season with a 45-0 win over Marshall and enter the game ranked 16th nationally. Temple also is 1-0 after opening its season with a win over Rhode Island.
Saturday marks Penn State’s first game at Lincoln Financial Field since 2015, when Temple defeated the Nittany Lions 27-10. Penn State leads the all-time series 40-4-1 and has won 32 of the teams’ last 33 meetings.
Temple is honoring its 2016 American Athletic Conference championship team during Saturday’s game, which is scheduled to begin at noon and will air on ESPN2.
Penn State Alumni Association Philadelphia Chapter’s Saturday Tailgate
Before kickoff, Penn State Philly and other alumni chapters will host a tailgate beginning at 9 a.m. at the Jetro Parking Lot near Lincoln Financial Field.
The free-to-attend gathering will include tailgate games and breakfast food available through pay-what-you’d-like donations. Proceeds will benefit the Penn State Abington Food Pantry. Fans also can bring their own beverages.
The alumni chapter is asking attendees to RSVP ahead of time. Fans who RSVP with a phone number will receive day-of updates with location information and other announcements.
Fans heading to Lincoln Financial Field should also be aware that the stadium is cashless and tickets are digital. Penn State Athletics advises fans to download their tickets before arriving.
The stadium also has a clear-bag policy that prohibits bags larger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches.
Limited game-day parking will be available on a first-come, first-served basis for fans who did not purchase parking in advance. Parking transactions are cashless.
Penn State-Temple afterparty at Tempo Philly
The weekend will continue after the final whistle with a Penn State-Temple afterparty at Tempo Philly, 3601 Market St., with doors open at 3:30 p.m.
According to an Instagram announcement from Tempo Philly and DJ Yemi, he will headline the event immediately following Saturday’s game in collaboration with State College’s Stage West.
The event will feature DJs representing both Temple and Penn State. and the event is 21 and older. Discounted table service also will be available, with attendees directed to contact the venue for inquiries.
The afterparty is scheduled to continue until close Saturday night.
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