The Giant Co. is expanding its ties to Penn State with a multi-year agreement that makes the Carlisle, Pennsylvania-based supermarket operator the official grocery partner of the university’s athletic program. The agreement runs through 2032 and gives Giant category exclusivity across Penn State Athletics and makes the grocer the first cornerstone partner of the renovated West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium. The deal was arranged by Penn State Sports Enterprises, the university athletic department’s multimedia rights holder, which is powered by Playfly Sports.
For Giant, the partnership extends well beyond signage inside Penn State’s football stadium. Stores in and around university communities will play a direct role in the program, with locations in State College and Bellefonte, along with select stores near Penn State campuses in Altoona, Jenkintown, Middletown and Willow Grove, participating in gameday and student-focused promotions. Ahead of each home football game, participating stores will serve as pickup sites for Penn State Game Day Pins. Select Giant locations will also carry official university merchandise, including apparel, drinkware, and novelty products. The retailer is adding another component timed to the start of the academic year. Online customers will be able to purchase move-in bundles containing personal care products, cleaning supplies, and shelf-stable food, with pickup and delivery available. Students can also use LionCash, Penn State’s balance account, at Giant stores in State College and Bellefonte and at participating locations near several satellite campuses.
Giant will kick off the 2026 football season with an event at its 255 Northland Center store in State College. The supermarket is scheduled to host a free parking lot tailgate on September 4th, one day before Penn State’s first home game of the season, with music, games, and giveaways planned. The local store activity gives the retailer a physical connection to a partnership that will eventually become more visible inside Beaver Stadium. Giant will receive a custom gate sponsorship as part of the agreement, with the gate set to be enhanced when the stadium’s renovation is completed for the 2027 football season. They will also have signage and in-venue promotions at the stadium, as well as football and basketball pregame activities and signage at Pegula Ice Arena. Giant’s agreement also extends across Penn State’s 31 varsity sports. The grocer will become presenting partner of the Penn State Cub Club and Penn State Sports Camps and will participate in Kid Zones and alumni events. Penn State student athletes are also expected to take part in Giant store openings and community programs in the region. The arrangement builds on an existing connection between the university and retailer. Giant has previously worked with Penn State programs, including Penn State PRO Wellness, on health and community initiatives in Pennsylvania. The new athletics deal gives Giant a larger presence around one of the state’s biggest sports properties while tying some of that activity directly to its supermarkets.
Giant operates 194 stores, 133 pharmacies, and 107 fuel stations, with stores primarily under the Giant and Martin’s banners across Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia.
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