Dark matter detector picks up a mysterious signal
September 1, 2026
Opening night at New Ryan Field is here!
For the first time in more than two years, Northwestern will play a football game on Central Street. Since so much has happened in the lead-up, Northwestern Now has compiled a list of news and notes that may be of interest before you head to the stadium or follow along at home.
A full day of food and fun
Ryan Field is surrounded by 200,000 square feet of festival grounds. Every ticket includes access to pregame food, drinks, live music, DJs and entertainment. Each game includes the Great Chicago Food Festival, featuring new cuisine by some of Chicago’s culinary legends including Rick Bayless, Stephanie Izard, Gibsons Restaurant Group, Publican Quality and the team behind Dimmi Dimmi. The Great Big Ten Grillout adds burgers, barbecue and roasted sweet corn to the lineup. And a hyper-local section brings a rotation of pop-ups from popular Evanston and North Shore restaurants. Plus, there is Willie’s Fan Favorites, a $5 menu with all of the stadium staples like hot dogs, nachos and popcorn.
$25 seats for those who serve
Northwestern alumni in public service and public servants who live or work in Evanston — including educators, healthcare workers, emergency personnel and military members — can purchase game tickets for $25 each as part of the Seats for Those Serving program.
Speaking of seats, check out these sight lines
The stadium itself is 320,000 square feet larger than the old Ryan Field — but with fewer seats, which means a premium experience for every fan. Unlike the classic stadiums of the past, New Ryan Field leverages engineering to bring seats closer to the field, from the lower level to the top.
2,000 loud students — right on top of the action
The Wildcat Wall — a European football-style safe-standing supporter section — puts Northwestern students virtually on top of the south end zone to create an intimidating, deafening wall of energy.
The most accessible stadium ever
Ryan Field is the most accessible stadium ever built, with almost double the ADA-required accessible seating minimum, universally accessible entrances, short routes to seats and amenities, as well as accessible express lanes at concession stands.
Get tickets for Ball State — and beyond
Looking for tickets? Check out Ticketmaster now to purchase tickets for the Ball State game on Saturday, Oct. 10. Single-game tickets will be released soon for future home games against Rutgers on Saturday, Oct. 24, Iowa on Saturday, Nov. 7, and Illinois on Saturday, Nov. 28.
Friday night lights, Evanston style
An example of the kinds of community engagement planned for Ryan Field, Evanston Township High School and New Trier High School will play their annual rivalry game on Friday, Oct. 16, in the new stadium.
Pat Ryan Jr. tells the stadium’s origin story
On Thursday, Oct. 8, Pat Ryan Jr. ’97 JD, MBA will visit Deering Library to discuss the origins and development of the new Ryan Field. His talk is part of the exhibit, “Break Right Through That Line,” which draws on old photos, programs, uniforms, game balls and other memorabilia from University Archives to tell a spirited story of Wildcat football through the years.
Helping build up the local workforce
The Ryan Field construction project is helping strengthen Evanston’s workforce pipeline for local union-affiliated construction trade workers. To date, several Evanston Township High School graduates have been placed as paid carpentry apprentices working on the stadium project. In other news, the Ryan Family Workforce Development Initiative provides $500,000 annually for programming and upskilling Evanston residents, providing access to education, training and sustainable living-wage career opportunities.
Want to learn more about the fan experience, stadium policy and transportation? The New Ryan Field website and app feature information for fans, visitors, students and other game attendees. Northwestern previously shared information about game day traffic and parking restrictions.
