Penn State fans won’t have to wait until the spring game to get their first glimpse of new head football coach Matt Campbell. The university is rolling out the blue carpet this weekend, and Campbell’s debut in front of Nittany Nation will happen in a setting that’s more ice than turf.
Campbell is set to be introduced Saturday during Penn State men’s hockey’s outdoor showdown with Michigan State - a top-five clash that’s turning Beaver Stadium into “Hockey Valley” for the day. Before the puck drops, Campbell will hit center ice for a ceremonial faceoff, giving fans their first in-person look at the man now leading the Nittany Lions into a new era.
It’s a unique welcome for Campbell, who officially took the reins three months ago and is still months away from coaching his first game. Penn State opens the 2026 football season at home against Marshall on September 5, with the annual Blue-White spring game still ahead on the calendar.
Saturday’s hockey matchup is a marquee event in its own right. Penn State (18-6) enters ranked No. 5 in the country, while Michigan State (19-5) comes in at No. 2, fresh off a Big Ten regular season title last year. The puck drops at 1 p.m. inside Beaver Stadium - a rare and electric setting for college hockey.
The weekend slate is packed across campus. The two hockey powerhouses will meet again Friday night at Pegula Ice Arena, with Game 1 of the back-to-back series set for 6 p.m.
Campbell’s campus tour doesn’t stop with hockey. He’s also expected to be in attendance Friday night at the Bryce Jordan Center, where Penn State wrestling hosts Nebraska in another high-profile matchup. It’s a chance for Campbell to connect with the broader Penn State athletic community - and for fans to see their new head coach immersed in the culture of one of the most passionate fan bases in college sports.
And the action continues on the ice. Penn State women’s hockey will face Robert Morris on Friday afternoon at Beaver Stadium, with the puck set to drop at 1 p.m. before shifting back to Pegula for the Saturday night rematch at 6 p.m.
Football fans also got an early look at the road ahead this week, as the 2026 schedule was officially revealed. The Big Ten slate kicks off at home on September 26, when the Nittany Lions welcome Wisconsin to Beaver Stadium.
It’s a big weekend in Happy Valley - on the ice, on the mat, and for the future of Penn State football. And while Campbell won’t be calling plays just yet, his presence will be felt loud and clear.