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Are you ready for some football? What to know about gamedays on campus

The Wildcats will host four more games at Northwestern Medicine Field this season
September 9, 2025 | By Northwestern Now Staff
northwestern football gamedays
Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium — at 2235 N. Campus Drive — is situated on the north end of the Evanston campus just steps from Lake Michigan. Northwestern Athletics photo by Ryan Kuttler

The Northwestern football season is on. Here’s what gamedays will look like on the Evanston campus this fall.

Now in its second year as the Wildcats’ home field — while the new Ryan Field is under construction — Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium is situated on the north end of the Evanston campus just steps from the lakefront. The venue, which made headlines last fall, has been enhanced this year with upgrades to the student section, better audio and video, a new fan hub outside the stadium and improved concessions options.

The next home game is Saturday, Sept. 13, against Oregon, so Northwestern Now has compiled a list of notes and reminders that will be in effect for the four remaining games on campus this fall.

When are the Wildcats playing?

Northwestern will host the following slate of home games:

  • Saturday, Sept. 13 vs. Oregon, featuring Fox Sports Big Noon Kickoff and Wildcat Welcome celebration at 11 a.m.
  • Saturday, Sept. 27 vs. UCLA
  • Saturday, Oct. 4 vs. Louisiana Monroe, featuring Homecoming and Reunion Weekend
  • Saturday, Oct. 18 vs. Purdue, featuring Family Weekend and a 30th anniversary celebration of Northwestern’s Rose Bowl team of 1995
  • Northwestern also will play twice at Wrigley Field, hosting Michigan on Saturday, Nov. 15, and Minnesota on Saturday, Nov. 22

What buildings will be closed?

The Henry Crown Sports Pavilion — including the Norris Aquatics Center, Combe Tennis Center, the membership office and wellness suite — will be closed all day for the four on-campus football games to accommodate various gameday activities. These facilities will reopen the morning after each game.

As an alternative, Blomquist Recreation Center will operate with an adjusted schedule on gamedays to ensure students, faculty, staff and members have sufficient recreational options.

Walter Athletics Center will be closed to the public on gamedays but accessible to authorized University personnel, student-athletes and credentialed media.

Read more about recreation facilities during home football games.

The bookstore and Starbucks at Norris University Center will be open on all gamedays, but public access to other campus buildings will be restricted. Northwestern community members are reminded to always carry their Wildcards to ensure entry.

The campus area adjacent to the lakefill and south of Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium will be open before, during and after games. However, the lakefront walking and biking path will be closed from the north edge of the lagoon to the beach on gamedays.

On gamedays, travel around campus may take longer than usual due to heavier vehicle and pedestrian traffic flow.

Where can I park when there’s a game?

On gamedays, travel around campus may take longer than usual due to heavier vehicle and pedestrian traffic flow.

Six Evanston campus parking lots — all within less than a mile from the venue — have been designated as gameday parking areas.

These lots, which open four hours prior to kickoff, require a gameday parking pass and will be checked and scanned upon arrival. See gameday maps for additional information regarding specific locations and parking lot assignments.

For all games, signage will be posted in each lot to indicate closing times and dates. Unauthorized vehicles will be towed.

All six lots will close at 6 p.m. the night before gameday and will reopen immediately after a game ends. Fans are permitted to keep their cars parked in designated lots for up to two hours after a game. Sanitation crews will clean up parking areas after the games.

Without my car, are there other ways to get around?

With campus parking limited at these times, gameday shuttle buses will be available from the Ryan Field West Lot to Northwestern Medicine Field. Fans also are encouraged to use public transportation or bikes when possible.

Rideshare vehicles can drop passengers off anywhere along Sheridan Road near campus. A designated rideshare pick up point has been established on Colfax Street between Orrington Avenue and Sheridan Road.

For those with accessibility needs, golf carts will make regular pickups and drop-offs four hours before kickoff and one hour after the final whistle.

Know before you go

Northwestern Athletics has assembled a “know before you go” guide for fans that includes details about digital tickets, tailgating, what to wear for each game and more.

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