Ryan Field – construction description

How did the construction of the new Ryan Field come about?

The construction of the new Ryan Field was made possible by the largest donation in Northwestern University's history – in September 2021 Patrick and Shirley Ryan donated $480 million to the university. A year later, the concept for the new stadium, prepared by HNTB and Perkins & Will, was shown.

In March 2023, it was announced that the stadium would be built by Turner Chicago and Walsh Construction, which had formed the Central Street Consortium. In November 2023, the Evanston City Council approved the construction plans. The project is expected to cost $800 million and will be funded by the university's budget and donations.

What will the new Ryan Field be like?

The architectural concept of the new Ryan Field can be seen on a separate subpage

The new stadium will stand on the exact site of the old Ryan Field. The facility will offer 35,000 seats in the stands, 12,000 less than what was in the old stadium. However, the stands will be steeper, feature individual seats and be fully covered. More premium options will be available, and the facility will be equipped with the latest technology.

When will the new Ryan Field be built?

Demolition of the old Ryan Field began in January 2024. Demolition was completed in May 2024, after which the actual construction of the new stadium began. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on June 24, 2024, and the facility should be ready in the summer of 2026.

Where will the Northwestern Wildcats play during the construction of the new Ryan Field?

For the duration of the new stadium's construction, the Northwestern Wildcats team will move more than a mile (2 km) east to their college campus, where the modest Martin Stadium is located on the shores of Lake Michigan – for two seasons the facility will receive temporary stands that will increase its capacity to 15,000 spectators.

Occasionally, the Wildcats could also play at other stadiums: Wrigley Field, Soldier Field, SeatGeek Stadium and even Lambeau Field in Green Bay are among those in consideration.