• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, October 8, 2025

First Look Inside Northwestern’s $862 Million New Ryan Field

FOS got an exclusive tour of the $862 million development alongside Pat Ryan Jr., CEO of Ryan Sports Development, which is leading the project.

Ryan Field Construction
Derryl Barnes/FOS
Exclusive

Bud Selig: ‘Remarkable’ Brewers Run Can’t Mask MLB’s Money Divide

The former commissioner lauds his hometown team while raising economic concerns.
Read Now
October 8, 2025 |

EVANSTON, Ill. — Northwestern hasn’t exactly been the standard-bearer for success on the football field. But Chicago’s Big Ten team is trying to be the NCAA’s model institution for modern-day football stadiums with the new Ryan Field.

It’s been a year since the groundbreaking, and about 15 months remain until the stadium’s expected launch in fall 2026. Front Office Sports took an exclusive tour of the construction site alongside Pat Ryan Jr., CEO of Ryan Sports Development and son of the field’s eponym. 

The budget is up to $862 million

In 2021, the Ryan family donated $480 million to the funding of the new stadium. The cost of the stadium is fully funded by private backers, including Northwestern University. 

The stadium is expected to be the most expensive college stadium in the country—and the price tag has increased slightly since last year. Reported to have started at the “nice, round number” of $850 million, Ryan tells FOS the budget is now at $862 million, $6 million more than the original allocation for the stadium, slated at $856 million.

The increase, according to Ryan, was authorized by the school for a fourth club for young alumni on the stadium’s sideline and additional suites. He insisted that the budget “is not going over” again.

The stadium is noticeably smaller by design

The prevailing theme for the new Ryan Field is “premium for everybody.” 

Part of the inclusivity agenda includes four “festivals” around the stadium’s grounds welcome to any ticket holder, and wheelchair-accessible entrances and main grounds. There will still be premium seating options and clubs, including one behind an end zone that will have a view of the postgame press conference.

Ryan Field Northwestern constructions
Derryl Barnes/FOS

Its biggest universal selling point is that it’s smaller than most football stadiums with a capacity of 35,000, about three-quarters of its old stadium. The idea is a better viewing experience for everyone.

The new seating sections rely on the same architectural innovation of the Intuit Dome’s farthest seats. The premium seating area starts 90 feet away from the field, while the farthest section is 136 feet away. The best seats at Michigan Stadium—which fits about three times more people—are 235 feet away, while the farthest section is 253 feet from the sideline.

The venue’s defining characteristic is intimacy. A nosebleed seat won’t be a disappointing compromise for the cost-cutters, while the steep student section behind one of the end zones—right above the visiting locker room—has the potential to feel like a towering monster.

The stadium is far from finished—there is still no field, no seats, and the canopy shielding spectators from above has yet to be installed.

Ticket prices remain unclear

A smaller stadium and luxury amenities could spur a rise in ticket prices. Ryan wouldn’t confirm whether that would be the case, but he says “a big piece of [our vision] is financial accessibility.”

He confirmed that current Northwestern students would continue to watch for free, while alumni would receive “advantage pricing.” 

“My view is: Why subsidize the rich?” Ryan says. “If you’re the Chicago business community doing corporate entertainment, you should pay the appropriate price.”

The Bears won’t be coming, but new Ryan Field could host major NCAA events

The Ryan family is a minority owner of the Bears, whose future home is up in the air. The NFL franchise currently plays at Soldier Field, one of the oldest stadiums in the league. Its lease ends after the 2033 season—though it could break the agreement as soon as 2026. 

The team has explored building a $4.7 billion lakefront arena in downtown Chicago, but it has faced pushback from the state. In May, the Bears reportedly shifted their focus to a 326-acre property they own in Arlington Heights, a Chicago suburb.

The Bears will not play any games at the new Ryan Field because an Evanston ordinance does not allow professional sports to be held in the city. However, Northwestern’s temporary lakefront stadium was approved to host the 2026 season of the NWSL’s Chicago Stars.

According to Ryan, the goal for new Ryan Field is to hold other major NCAA events at the stadium. “You could see doing the Frozen Four or the Lacrosse National Championships or the Big Ten championships for soccer,” Ryan says.

Northwestern rendering

Other than Northwestern’s football and lacrosse teams, Ryan announced last month that the stadium will host games for Evanston Township High School and other local organizations. He called them a “second anchor tenant,” according to Evanston RoundTable.

The stadium is also approved to host six concerts starting in the summer of 2027, though the school has yet to secure performers. Ryan says initial conversations have begun with music agents. 

The concerts were a main contention point in the school receiving local approval for the new stadium due to heavy opposition by the surrounding community. In November 2023, the Evanston City Council approved an amendment to the zoning code, 5–4, swayed by the school’s $157.5 million commitment in public benefits throughout the next 15 years.

A delay will mean more games at the lakefront stadium

The school aims to be ready for the 2026 NCAA season, but any unexpected delays could derail their plans as they are pushing up against the target date. They expect to be working all throughout the Midwest winter season.

Should there be any delays, the school’s temporary lakefront field remains just a few blocks east. “Northwestern has every intention of playing the majority of our games at new Ryan Field for the 2026 season. If unforeseen circumstances occur, we will have Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium available,” Mark Jackson, Northwestern’s VP of athletics and recreation, tells FOS.

Any delays could prove costly, considering the Wildcats are slated to play their first home game Sept. 12 against South Dakota State. Another big test will follow at their second home game a week later: Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes.

Next up: Watch our video tour of the new Ryan Field stadium.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

exclusive

Bud Selig: ‘Remarkable’ Brewers Run Can’t Mask MLB’s Money Divide

The former commissioner lauds his hometown team while raising economic concerns.

MLB’s Rare October Day: Four Playoff Games, Four Possible Clinchers

Four separate clinching opportunities are available during the day.
Maverick Carter, LeBron James
exclusive

New International Basketball League Plans Launch, Without Maverick Carter

The venture plans to launch men’s and women’s leagues next fall.
Oct 4, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive back DeShon Singleton (8) celebrates after making an interception during the game against Michigan State at Memorial Stadium.
exclusive

Big Ten Considering Investment From California Pension Fund

In the proposed deal, the Big Ten would spin off assets into a new entity.

Featured Today

Paul Cartier

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Kōloa Rum Company Rum Rusher
September 27, 2025

Panthers Bubbly, Jets Wine, Manning Whiskey: The Sports Booze Boom

A sommelier dives into the sports booze trend—and tries Jets wine.
Nov 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers fans wave Terrible Towels against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium
September 26, 2025

Steelers’ Irish Roots Are Deeper Than NFL Dublin Game

The Steelers have history and the foundation for a future in Ireland.
Nov 17, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Detailed view of a Cleveland Browns helmet on a time out against the New Orleans Saints during the first half at Caesars Superdome.

Cleveland Takes New Shot at Blocking Browns’ $2.4B Stadium

A new lawsuit challenges a permit for the NFL team’s planned stadium.
Sep 23, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Stars forward Adam Erne (76) looks on during the game between the Dallas Stars and the Minnesota Wild at American Airlines Center
exclusive
October 3, 2025

Dallas Stars Eyeing Possible Move to Plano in 2031

The team needs to figure out where they’ll play starting in 2031.
October 7, 2025

Rays Owner Eyes New ‘Forever Home’ Like Atlanta’s Battery

The club’s new owners target a new ballpark opening in 2029.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
Chicago Bears stadium rendering
October 1, 2025

Bears Want $855M in Public Money for Suburban Stadium

The NFL team details an updated ask for public money.
September 29, 2025

A’s Unveil Sacramento Jerseys As Vegas Development Advances

The club unveils an alternate “Sacramento” jersey as Las Vegas plans advance.
Sep 28, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Cam Hart (20) breaks up a pass intended for New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1) during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. Nabers was carted off the field with an injury after the play.
September 29, 2025

Malik Nabers’s Torn ACL Rekindles NFL’s Grass vs. Turf Debate

The Giants star tore his ACL on MetLife Stadium’s artificial surface.
September 25, 2025

NYCFC’s New $780M Queens Stadium Comes With Jab at Red Bulls

The MLS club progresses on developing its new stadium in Queens, N.Y.