Chicago, IL – November 18, 2024 – Northwestern University and the Ryan Family officially unveiled the first public look at the new Ryan Field, a state-of-the-art $850 million sports and entertainment venue set to become a landmark for college football and Chicago. The project, with the majority of the funding provided by the Ryan Family without public investment, will set a new standard in college athletics, transforming the traditional stadium model into a year-round community asset. Scheduled to open in 2026, the new Ryan Field promises to bring a world class student athlete, fan and community experience to college sports.
 
The new Ryan Field reflects both the unique history of Northwestern football and Chicago's vibrant connection to the Big Ten Conference. Once completed, it will not only host Northwestern football but also serve as a premier destination for national events, youth sports championships, and additional opportunities, creating an unparalleled community hub, truly "Chicago's Big Ten Stadium."
 
"With the new Ryan Field, we are introducing a bold new vision for the future of college sports," said Pat Ryan Jr. "This stadium is not just a world class football stadium; it's for our students, and student-athletes, our fans, our alumni, and the Northwestern and Evanston communities. We're committed to creating 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. The Ryan Family is proud to be partnered with Northwestern in creating this transformational project." In addition to the Ryan Foundation providing the majority of the funding for the new Ryan Field, the Ryan Family's sports development team is leading the design and development of the new stadium on a pro bono basis in partnership with Northwestern Athletics.
 
In addition to providing remarkable game-day and concert experiences, the new Ryan Field will serve as a year-round community asset for the Northwestern and Evanston communities featuring youth sports, community events, holiday festivals and student activities.
 
"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're embracing 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-focused environment that reflects Chicago's prominence in the Big Ten Conference and elevates the standards for college football stadiums nationwide. This venue will be more than a game-day destination; it's an inclusive, year-round gathering place that enhances our community and our university's connection to the world of sports."
 
The new Ryan Field is also expected to have a $1.3 billion impact on the Chicago area with $659 million of impact in Evanston alone. It will also solidify Northwestern's place as a leader in collegiate athletics and the home of the best facilities in college athletics. The project will provide $208 million in contracts for minority and women-owned businesses. The Ryan Foundation is also providing $10 million to fund workforce development programs for Evanston residents.
 
Exciting elements of the new Ryan Field include:

All 35,000 seats will offer better-than-tv sightlines. By leveraging modern engineering, each level is optimized for putting it as close to the field as possible, and every seat will feature a comfortable seat back protected from the weather by a canopy

The seating canopy is also specifically engineered to create a powerful homefield sound advantage at games

With 194% of the required ADA seating, universal accessibility and the opportunity for every fan, regardless of physical ability to experience the stadium the same way, it will be the most accessible stadium ever built

More than 200,000 square feet of parks and plazas surrounding the stadium, with the ability to host pregame activities for every type of fan, including pop up restaurants, live music and a community tailgating zone

All main concourses at the new Ryan Field will be open to the stadium bowl, allowing fans to never miss a moment of game

Four premium clubs for every type of fan, from the most hardcore Wildcat supporter to opportunities for corporate entertainment at Chicago's Big Ten Stadium. Designed by world-renowned architecture and design firm Rockwell Group, the clubs will be available year round for all types of events, meetings and private gatherings.

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