Two thousand Northwestern students. Standing directly on top of the end zone.
Northwestern has unveiled the student experience at the new Ryan Field. It is the most ambitious student-centered design in college football and the first created inside a next-generation, NFL-caliber stadium. Anchored by the Wildcat Wall, the Paynter Family Hall, a first-of-its-kind student hype tunnel and a dedicated Student Plaza, Ryan Field has a complete arc of game day experiences that creates the best student experience in America.
The Wildcat Wall
A first in college football, the new Ryan Field will feature a European football-style safe-standing supporter section that will put 2,000 students on top of the south end zone. European football safe-standing supporter sections are legendary for being intimidating, creating a deafening wall of energy.
The new Ryan Field isn’t just the first college football stadium to import a European football style supporter section, it’s emulating the most intense version of this legendary fan experience.
Raked at a steep 33 degrees — a 65% slope — the Wildcat Wall places 2,000 students directly on top of the end zone, leaning over the field to create an intimidating, deafening wall of energy unlike anything in the college game.
It is safe standing, with railings in place, and seating will be available for those who need it. A signature design element of the new student section: the glowing eyes of a wildcat hunting in the dark.
“As Welsh-Ryan Arena’s intense environment has proven, students drive the energy in college sports,” said Pat Ryan Jr. “To create the most powerful student section in college football, we imported the design of the most intense supporter section in European football to create the Wildcat Wall for Northwestern students.”
The Paynter Family Hall
The stadium’s South Great Hall — the Paynter Family Hall — is a dedicated student space unlike anything else in college football. Open to all students on game day, the Hall is designed to be both beautiful and deeply nostalgic, featuring vintage Willie the Wildcat images, as well as artifacts drawing on Northwestern’s connection to the CTA Purple Line and the Wildcat statue from the old Ryan Field.
Inside, students will find food, drinks, games and a DJ — a full pregame experience designed to build energy before kickoff. The Paynter Family Hall, located underneath the Wildcat Wall, is the starting point of the student game day arc, a place where the excitement begins to build before students make the walk to the Wall.
“We are incredibly excited to showcase one of the best designed student sections in all of college football and packing it in purple,” said Mark Jackson, Combe Family Vice President for Athletics and Recreation. “The proximity to the action combined with the energy of our amazing student body will give our team a unique home field advantage.”
The Purple Line
The Purple Line will be college football’s first student hype tunnel. Modeled directly after the players’ own pregame tunnel, the Student Hype Tunnel is a dramatic passage that transforms the walk from the Paynter Family Hall to the Wildcat Wall into a visceral, adrenaline-fueled experience.
Lights, sound and energy build to a fever pitch as students make their way through, arriving at the Wall not as spectators, but as participants ready to set the tone for the entire stadium. Students will take the Purple Line from the Paynter Family Hall into the stadium.
It is the first hype tunnel built for students in college football. Along with the Wildcat Wall’s safe-standing section it represents a pair of genuine firsts that set a new standard for what a student game day can feel like.
The Student Plaza
Outside the stadium, the Student Plaza creates a vibrant outdoor gathering space dedicated to pregame festivities. The Plaza is designed to be the front door to the student experience, a place where the energy of game day begins hours before kickoff and where the Northwestern community comes together in a way that feels both celebratory and distinctly their own.
The Student Plaza also will feature two soon-to-be iconic, student-focused, Instagrammable spots. Adjacent to the Plaza will be a 3D, 10-foot tall, purple “N” and the University seal, creating what could become two of the most iconic photo moments for graduations and homecomings.
Above the Plaza, a student balcony overlooking the space will create a French Quarter–esque experience, adding another layer of energy, visibility, and celebration to the student game day atmosphere.
“The student section is where friendships grow, traditions take hold and lifelong Northwestern memories are made,” said Susan Davis, Vice President for Student Affairs. “Ryan Field’s new student spaces will help create a more connected game day experience and give our students an exciting place to come together as Wildcats and celebrate their Purple Pride.”
