Northwestern offers a first look at a new $850 million stadium: Here’s what to expect

Northwestern has released a first look at its $850 million stadium development.

Rendering released by the university this week showed a state-of-the-art, Ryan Field with 35,000 seats with open halls, four premium clubs and more than 200,000 square meters of parks and squares surrounding the stadium.

The project, largely financed by the Ryan family without public investment, is expected to open in 2026. It will replace the old Ryan Field, which opened in 1926 but was outdated and often overrun by opposing fans.

Northwestern says the new Ryan Field “reflects both the unique history of Northwestern football and Chicago’s vibrant connection to the Big Ten Conference” and will create “an unparalleled community center that is truly “Chicago’s Big Ten Stadium.”

Based on influences from recently built NFL stadiums and soccer facilities in the MLS and English Premier League, the stadium will be the smallest in the Big Ten.

But Northwestern says it emphasizes quality over quantity with “better-than-TV sightlines” and seating levels optimized for noise and placing fans as close to the field as possible.

A chair with a backrest for each ticket and protection from the weather with a canopy are also part of the plan.

Pat Ryan Jr. told ESPN that the worst seat in the stadium will be 100 feet closer to the field than the most expensive seat in the 107,601-seat Michigan Stadium.

“With the new Ryan Field, we are introducing a bold new vision for the future of college sports,” said Ryan Jr. in a statement. “This stadium is not just a world-class football stadium; it is for our students and student-athletes, our fans, our alumni and the Northwestern and Evanston communities.

“We strive to create spaces that embody the best of what the modern fan experience can be, while building a legacy of economic empowerment and cultural benefits for our community.”

Ryan Field will also host community events and concerts, youth sports, holiday festivals and student activities. Northwestern will continue to play games at a temporary facility on Lake Michigan and at other locations such as Wrigley Field, until its completion.

“This project marks a new era for Northwestern and the Big Ten,” said Mark Jackson, Northwestern’s Combe Family vice president for athletics and recreation. “With the new Ryan Field, we embrace a visionary opportunity for Northwestern that will support our student-athletes with the best stadium in college sports.”

“Our new stadium will provide a dynamic, fan-centric environment that reflects Chicago’s prominence in the Big Ten Conference and elevates the standards for college football stadiums across the country. This location will be more than a game day destination; it is an inclusive, year-round meeting place that strengthens our community and our university’s connection to the world of sports.”

The new Ryan Field is expected to have a $1.3 billion impact on the Chicago area and $659 million in Evanston, school officials said.

The project will also generate $208 million in contracts for minority- and women-owned businesses, according to the school. The Ryan Foundation is also providing $10 million to fund workforce development programs for Evanston residents.

Partners in the new Ryan Field include Turner Walsh, who is leading construction on the project, as well as architectural firms Perkins & Will and HNTB.

Michigan State won’t play in Evanston until 2027. Michigan will do that in 2025, but before the stadium is completed.