THON Weekend 2026 kicks off on Friday, Feb. 20 at Penn State’s Bryce Jordan Center and continues through Sunday, Feb. 22, marking the culmination of year-round efforts of 16,500 student volunteers to raise funds and provide emotional support for pediatric cancer patients and their families.
Now in its 54th year, the Penn State student-run philanthropy has raised more than $254 million for the Four Diamonds at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital. In 2025, THON raised a single-year record $17.7 million, the fourth consecutive year with a new all-time high total.
From 6 p.m. Friday until 4 p.m. on Sunday, more than 700 dancers will be on their feet in the Bryce Jordan Center for the annual 46-hour no-sitting, no-sleeping dance marathon. They’ll be surrounded by thousands more THON volunteers, supporters and Four Diamonds families.
This year’s THON theme is “Love Leads Forward.”
HOW TO DONATE
The easiest way to donate is online at donate.thon.org/general-donations/donate or by simply clicking the “donate” button at the top of the THON homepage. Donors have the option of making a general donation or crediting it to a specific organization’s THON fundraising total.
You can also text “THON” to 41444 to receive a link for donating to Four Diamonds.
To count toward THON’s 2026 total reveal, donations should be made before noon on Sunday.
IF YOU GO
THON begins at 6 p.m. on Friday and ends at 4 p.m. on Sunday in the Bryce Jordan Center. Admission is free and members of the general public can enter through the general spectator line at will call via the BJC ticketing office, between gates A and B. All attendees will be required to obtain a wristband that allows volunteers to manage wait times and entrance into the BJC.
During peak times when the building reaches capacity, entry may be paused, and spectators can go to the ticketing/will call office for further instruction. Spectators awaiting entry will receive a text message when it is their turn and are not permitted to wait on Jordan Center property. While attendance peaks vary throughout the weekend, the BJC usually reaches capacity on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon.
Visitors can check the building status in advance at thon.org/thon-events/thon-weekend.
All attendees must pass through a metal detector and may be subject to a bag check. Bags are limited to:
- A clear tote bag with a maximum size of 12”x12”x6”
- A resealable one-gallon clear bag measuring 11”x11”x0” or smaller
- A wallet, clutch or fanny pack measuring 6.5”x4.5” or smaller
For a full list of prohibited items, see the THON Spectator Resource Packet.
Once inside, visitors must stand at all times. Those who need to sit for medical reasons can request a medical wristband from a member of the THON Rules and Regulations Committee.
A sensory safe space open to all visitors is located on the concourse near Portal 28.
PARKING
• Parking for the general public is free and available in Stadium West, Jordan East and Porter North and South lots. Stadium West only, however, will be closed to THON traffic Friday at noon through Saturday at 8 p.m. due to the Penn State men’s hockey games at Pegula Ice Arena.
The small Jordan East lot across from the All-Sports Museum will be reserved for ADA parking from Friday through Sunday.
Lots will likely reach capacity at various points during the weekend, and drivers are urged to park between the lines to ensure maximum access.
“Due to heavy vehicle and pedestrian traffic, motorists are urged to use caution if traveling near the Bryce Jordan Center and those attending THON are encouraged to walk, bike or use transit in lieu of driving,” Penn State Transportation Services wrote in a news release.
• The Orange L lots located just east and just south of the Bryce Jordan Center and a small section in the middle of the main Jordan East lot will be reserved from Friday through Sunday for THON families.
• The Silver J Lot between the East Area Locker Room and Holuba Hall will remain open to permit holders. They should be aware, however, that THON dancer drop-off will occur in Silver J and traffic will be heavy in the lot and at the Hastings Road-Bigler Road intersection area from 2:45 to 4:15 p.m. Friday.
• See the parking map here.
• Fans attending Penn State Intercollegiate Athletic events on Friday (track and field, men’s volleyball, wrestling and men’s ice hockey) and Saturday (men’s volleyball and men’s ice hockey) are advised to expect delays and allow extra time for arrival and departure due to heavy traffic.
For fans who have not prepaid through ParkWhiz by 11:59 p.m. the day before the event or have a valid Penn State permit, parking will be $10 on game day through HONK zone PSUCR. Hourly parking also will be available in the East Deck for $2 for the first hour and $1 per hour thereafter, up to the maximum of $16 daily.
• In State College Borough the “No Parking 2 A.M. to 6 A.M.” and the one- and two-hour restrictions are lifted from noon on Friday to 2 a.m. Monday.
TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION
The following roads will be temporarily closed on Friday for dancer arrival:
- Curtin Road from University Drive to Porter Road will be closed from approximately 2 to 7 p.m. All traffic must enter and exit Jordan East from Porter Road or University Drive via Dauer Drive.
- University Drive from Hastings Road to Curtin Road will be closed from 4:15 to 4:30 p.m.
The Centre Area Transportation Authority will operate on its normal weekend schedule, but delays are possible when temporary road closures are in place for routes that travel around the Jordan Center.
CATA’s Blue Loop, White Loop and Red Link serving campus are free to all riders. Community bus routes require a fare, which in most cases is $2.50 per trip or $7 for a day pass.
HOW TO WATCH AND FOLLOW ALONG
If you can’t be there in person, you can still experience THON Weekend 2026.
The THON livestream produced by 46 Live, a student-run organization in Penn State’s Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications, will provide coverage from start to finish with live events, prerecorded features and looks behind the scenes.
At 7 p.m. on Saturday, “Live From THON” will air live on 6ABC Philadelphia, ABC 7 New York, Fox 43 Harrisburg/York, ABC 23 State College and WTAE ABC 4 Pittsburgh. It also will be streamed online at 6abc.com.
Check in with OnwardState.com and StateCollege.com for coverage throughout the weekend, and follow Onward State’s THON-specific Twitter account, @THONwardState, for non-stop updates.
