NRF Development Images | HailToPurple.com

Construction of Ryan II:
The Initial Concept

Below are some of the images that NU released in September 2022 of the planned stadium. Since then, the school has modified the design a bit.

The new stadium, with its huge overhang and multiple tiers.
The south endzone appears to have a no-seat snake pit of Wildcat partying.

Note on the left side of the drawing that Welsh-Ryan stands alone. The new stadium is on the same site as the old, but rotated about 25 degrees. The exterior's design has since changed somewhat since this rendering..

Upgraded sight lines and disabled access. However, same hot dogs.
Also, take that Wisconsin! Touchdown!

The beautiful new facility's campus will be perfect for kite flying,
even on the calmest day. The magic of the enchanted lakefront!

Ice skating returns! The old Dyche stadium had a nearby rink in the 1960s and '70s;
it appears the new stadium could have one as well.

Construction of Ryan II:
The Foundation

The first step in Ryan II's construction was preparation of the site and the stadium's foundation. This was a massive undertaking.

This photo was taken in July 2024, as the foundation was being dug. To give some perspective on how big this footprint is, the blue fence in the background is next to Ashland Avenue.

The area cordoned off in yellow is the "donut," the footprint for the playing field. That area's surface was dug even further down. After this dig, crews installed an elaborate draining system at the donut-- it is needed, given how far under the surface the new playing field is. Most of the front tier seats are underground, and the playing surfface will be 26 feet under street level. This is a huge step from the old Ryan Field's five feet beneath the previous Dyche Stadium field.

An amazing illustration of the system of caissons and anchors required for the stadium's foundation; some of the anchors are embedded over 80 feet down.

This view is facing the eastern side. Note the large underground structure in the foreground that will serve as a below-ground loading dock (and other functions) for the new stadium.

A cut-away of the stadium with its caissons and anchors. The red line shows roughly where street level will be and just how far underground the playing field will sit.

The playing field will be turf, and-- unlike fields at Michigan State and elsewhere that use a concrete pad under the turf-- NU is installing a granular pad under the turf, allowing flexibility and more "crowning" of the field. Again, this is to help with drainage.

A last view of the site as it was in July 2024. You can clearly see the foundation retaining wall and the donut, giving a sense of the scale of the work.

Construction of Ryan II:
The Framework

This photo, posted by NU Athletics Chief Revenue Officer Jesse Marks, shows the interior of the stadium on May 30, 2025. The foundation is done, the lower bowl nears completion, and the framework for the upper tiers is under construction.

An exterior view from Ashland, May 31, 2025.

Exterior view of where the northwest tower had stood, May 31, 2025.

Overhead shot from CBS 2 Chicago (June 2, 2025) shows the progress with the interior bowl.

Construction of Ryan II:
The Structure

August 28, 2025: The canopy is lifted into place. [WLS TV]

By early September 2025 the final sections of the roof had been placed. [NU video]

Sunset, October 24, 2025. [Jesse Marks]

By late October 2025, the structure was nearing completion. [Primo Media]

May 6, 2026: Seating tiers are being installed, and the playing surface foundation is done. [Adam Rittenberg]

May 27, 2026: Pat Ryan Jr. points out construction details to incoming NU president Mung Chiang. [NU photo]

June 24, 2026: Work continues on the seating tiers, and workers begin installing the FieldTurf. [NU Photo]

June 30, 2026: Just one week later, the field is installed. Work is wrapping up on the Purple Wall, the students' standing section. [Chicago Tribune]