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NU Home Sites:
New Ryan Field
Page Created
10/15/21;
Updated
6/8/25
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Northwestern On-Campus Home Game Venues #6:
Northwestern
announced in September 2021 that the Pat and Shirley Ryan Family had donated
$480 million additional dollars to conclude NU's We Will fundraising
campaign. It was the largest single donation in the history of the
university.
Much of the donation was earmarked for biomedical, economic, and
business research. However, a portion went to restarting the
school's effort to upgrade the Ryan Field facilities. Originally slated
for 2014, renovations to the field were tabled so that the school could
address Welsh-Ryan Arena and the new football training facility on the
lakeshore. According to the school, the 2021 Ryan donation is the lead
gift for Ryan Field's transformation, which will provide "an enhanced
gameday experience." Much of the new construction focuses on Americans
with Disabilities Act compliance and environmental factors.
The school launched a website for the renovations: RebuildRyanField.com.
A
year later, in September 2022, Northwestern revealed further plans for
the stadium. It is an entirely new facility, built from the ground
up on the old stadium's site (the new stadium occupies the
same footprint as the old stadium, but is rotated about 25 degrees
diagonally). The new Ryan Field costs an astounding $850
million, making it one of the most expensive college-only stadia in all
of college football, and will include state-of-the-art facilities.
As expected, the seating capacity will be reduced, to 35,000, with a
mix of standard and luxury seating and skyboxes. The plans have the
feel of a modern soccer facility, with a massive overhang to shield
nearly every seat in the stadium.
Northwestern
received approval for the new stadium in early 2024, and Evanston
signed the permit to tear down the old Ryan Field I in early February
2024. NU began demolishing the old stadium within a week.
NU has said that it plans to have the new Ryan Field ready
to go by the 2026 season-- what would have been the 100th anniversary
of the old stadium.
During
the two years that Ryan Field II is under construction, NU is using
Martin Stadium on the lakefill as its primary home field.
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,
which would put the new stadium on the same site as the old, but
rotated about 25 degrees. The exterior's design has since changed somewhat.
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 will 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.
Venue Name: Ryan Field (II). (Not confirmed, but very likely)
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Dates Used: Scheduled opening in 2026
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First Game:
First game of 2026 is TBA. South Dakota State is slated for Sept. 12.
It is likely that this will be the first game at Ryan II.
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NU Record at New Ryan Field:
n/a
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Largest Crowd: Capacity is planned at 35K.
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Highlight Game(s): n/a
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