UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — In the weeks ahead, the Penn State Alumni Association will host several events that will unite alumni and friends ahead of Penn State Athletics teams competing on the national stage.
College Football Playoff
The night before the first-round matchup in the College Football Playoff between Penn State and SMU at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 21, the Alumni Association will host a playoff edition of the Roar Tour, featuring food, live music, activities and much more. Additionally, Penn Staters can watch the first-round game between Notre Dame and Indiana at the Roar Tour.
Penn Staters should sign up in advance for the event, as there will be limited capacity. The event is set for 7:30-10:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20, at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. Complimentary parking is available, and tickets start at $25. Wyndham Hotels and Resorts is the Presenting Sponsor of the Roar Tour.
Watching from home
Penn Staters not traveling to State College for the game are encouraged to find their local chapter for a watch party. A full list of chapters is on the Alumni Association’s website. Penn Staters also can browse a list of group events for chapter watch parties. The events page may not list all watch parties that are planned. If you don't see a watch party for your local chapter, you can find your chapter on the groups page and visit your chapter's website or social channels or email the president.
Game information
No. 4. Penn State (11-2) and No. 10 SMU (11-2) will kick off at noon on Dec. 21 in Beaver Stadium, and the game will air on TNT and Max.
The first-round game will be a Penn State White Out. The winner of Penn State-SMU will take on Boise State in the quarterfinal game at the VRBO Fiesta Bowl (tour package pre-sale information below). This will be the third-ever matchup between the Nittany Lions and the Mustangs. The Nittany Lions are 1-0-1 all-time against SMU. Penn State defeated SMU 26-21 in 1978 while the two teams tied, 13-13, in 1947.
Fiesta Bowl tour package pre-sales
Penn Staters can reserve their spot now on the Official Penn State Fiesta Bowl Tour. Three-night, land-only packages are available now, and are fully refundable with a $49 deposit. Packages include deluxe hotel accommodations, official Penn State pregame event, tour welcome event and more.
Additional Roar Tour events
In addition to football, Roar Tour events will unite alumni and friends in Chicago and Philadelphia at upcoming Penn State Athletics contests.
Roar Tour Chicago
In conjunction with the Greater Chicago Chapter, the Alumni Association invites Penn Staters to gather before the men's ice hockey team takes on Notre Dame at Wrigley Field.
Friday, Jan. 3, 2025
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Smoke Daddy BBQ, Wrigleyville
3636 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60613
Roar Tour Palestra
In partnership with the Philadelphia Chapter, the Alumni Association invites Penn Staters to gather before the men’s basketball team takes on Indiana at The Palestra in Philadelphia.
Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025
The Post at Cira Garage
129 S. 30th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19104
More information
For more than 150 years, the Penn State Alumni Association has provided alumni with a strong and welcoming community representative of the Penn Staters it proudly serves. The Alumni Association keeps alumni connected to the University and to each other, while upholding Penn State traditions and supporting the University’s mission of teaching, research and service. The Alumni Association also produces the award-winning Penn Stater magazine and other publications, and offers alumni and friends volunteer opportunities, educational programming, and many other services. For more information about the Alumni Association, visit alumni.psu.edu/youbelong.