It’s 7 a.m. on a Thursday and you log on to Ticketmaster to try your luck to purchase season tickets to one of the most anticipated Penn State men’s hockey seasons, only to find 5,000 people already in line.

That was the reality for many students on the morning of September 18. Those hoping to secure an early spot in the Ticketmaster queue had to be awake at nearly 5:30 a.m., and even then, it didn’t guarantee them an opportunity to purchase tickets for the season. Some students who logged on nearly two hours before the sale still reported being kicked out of line when it was their turn to purchase.

This shows the system needs to change. Pegula Ice Arena has a capacity of 6,014, with even fewer seats available for the student section. With such limited ticket availability, Penn State should adopt a better way for students to request tickets.

Men’s hockey has generated major excitement heading into this season, with 2026 top NHL prospect and five-star forward Gavin McKenna and first-round draft pick Jackson Smith, just to name a few, coming to Happy Valley. Instead of forcing students to wake up hours early only to risk losing their spot in line, the process should be similar to how football student tickets are distributed—through a lottery system. A lottery would give students a fairer, more equal chance to be chosen.

The energy around men’s hockey is growing, and that excitement should be celebrated, not dampened by a flawed ticketing system. Penn State Athletics has an opportunity to make this change before another season of frustration begins next year.

About the Author

Ella Wehmeyer

Ella is an junior and Telecommunications major from Miami, FL serving as one of Onward State's visual editors. She enjoys taking photos, listening to all genres of music, and a good hockey game. If needed, you can contact her through email at elw5508@psu.edu or on Twitter @ellawehm

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