First Look: Northwestern unveils new Ryan Field renderings
The 35,000-seat venue is set to open in 2026.
Northwestern has shared renderings of the first public look of the new Ryan Field, the future $850 million home of the Wildcats’ football program.
The images and video show both the football and community use that the school aims to deliver with the new stadium, which will host concerts and public green spaces outside.
The venue will seat 35,000 fans, a significant decrease from the 47,000-seat old Ryan Field. The more intimate stadium is expected to have improved sightlines, and each seat will have a seatback with a canopy to protect fans from inclement weather.
The concourses will be open to the stadium bowl, as well.
Demolition began on the 97-year-old Ryan Field in the winter of 2024, after the 2023 football season. The football team played five of its home games this season at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium, which was built around the school’s lakefront soccer and lacrosse stadium.
Wrigley Field hosted Northwestern for its game against Ohio State this past Saturday and will host the Nov. 30 regular-season finale against Illinois as well.
Northwestern is expected to have a similar home-game arrangement for the 2025 season, before the planned opening of the new Ryan Field in 2026.
The new Ryan Field is set to be the most accessible stadium in the country, with 194 percent of the required ADA seating.
Northwestern is part of the scourge of the all black uniform.
Especially contemptible when your team colors do not include black (see also SMU).