NRF Debut Images | HailToPurple.com



	NRF Debut Images Created 9/24/26; Updated 10/3/26

After two years of intensive demolition, foundation prep, and construction, the New Ryan Field had its "soft launch" the week of September 20, 2026, starting with the Welcome Home to New Ryan Field Party, an event for NU students on Wednesday, September 23, 2026.

The next debut event was the Season Ticket Holder Night & Watch Party, Friday night, September 25. Season ticket holders were given a chance to sit in their new seats, eat at some of the new stadium venues, and watch the Wildcats as they take on Indiana in Bloomington.

On Sunday, September 27, NU hosted a Builder Appreciation event at NRF, giving the school a chance to thank the stadium's designers and builders. And on Thursday evening, October 1, the school staged the Ryan Field Dedication Ceremony, reserved for VIP and press invitations.

These "soft" launch events preceded NRF's true debut, when it hosted the Penn State Lions on Friday, October 2, at 7:00 pm CDT.

STUDENT WELCOME AT RYAN FIELD (WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 23)

The first large event at the stadium was, fittingly, for the students. On the evening of their first day back in class, students got to tour the facility, enter the student section through the "Purple Line" (complete with a mock-up of a Purple Line El stop sign), and stand in the Wildcat Wall student section. Coach Braun addressed the students, letting them know that when NU's offense is on the field, it's OK to be quiet, "like a library." When the opponent has the ball? Not so much...

Students gather to get food at some of the new courts
and enter the Purple Line. [Andrew Little]

For the first time, students pile onto the Wildcat Wall. [Andrew Little]

"Hannibal," the statue NU unveiled at Ryan Field I back in 1998,
now guards the Purple Line entrance. [Anna Watson]

SEASON TICKET HOLDER VIEWING PARTY (FRIDAY, SEPT. 25)

This was the main "soft launch" event for Ryan Field. Pat Ryan Jr. came up with the idea to invite season ticket holders to the stadium a week before its debut, to look around, find their seats, and watch the Wildcats in action at Indiana. The event was a dry run for the stadium operations before the main event on October 2. Most of the concessions were open and operational, along with the various premium clubs at the venue.

First view of the field, just in front of the Wildcat Wall student section.
The field would not gain its Northwestern logos and wordmarks until Sept. 29.

Looking up at the Wildcat Wall. This is going to be loud.

A look at one of the many historical posters and murals lining the stadium.

"The fans are on the field!" -- Getting ready for NU vs. Indiana to start on the video screens.

BUILDER APPRECIATION DAY (SUNDAY, SEPT. 27)

Northwestern staged another pre-debut event for the people who designed and built the new stadium, along with their families.

The field was opened again on September 27, this time for the people who
made New Ryan Field a reality. [Twitter photo from @autumnnn0077]

DEDICATION COMMENTS, PRESS AND PRIVATE TOURS (THURSDAY, OCT. 1)

NU conducted private tours of the stadium and gave some journalists an opportunity to preview the stadium on the eve of its formal debut.

October 1: the stadium is ready. Logos now in place, and the final touches are done.
[Twitter photo from Nick Brilowski]

The calm before the storm.

OPENING GAME: NORTHWESTERN VS. PENN STATE (FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2)

Time to put the stadium to use...

On the left: NU's game program for the very first game played at Dyche Stadium / Ryan Field I (initially called Northwestern Stadium), on October 2, 1926. On the right: the front of NU's digital program for the debut of the New Ryan Field, taking place 100 years to the day after the opening of the previous stadium.