US EditionOpening of Northwestern's New Ryan Field Set for Oct. 2 Big Ten Home Opener vs. Penn State
- Northwestern announced on Tuesday that Ryan Field will debut Oct. 2 in a FOX Sports-televised Big Ten opener against Penn State, costing $862 million.
- Privately funded by the Ryan family, the project swelled from $800 million to $922 million before being value-engineered to $862 million, despite demolition delays, stormwater permitting, and extended government approvals.
- The new stadium will feature 35,000 seats—12,000 fewer than the old stadium—with chair-back seating, a large canopy, and five home games after two at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium.
- Pat Ryan Jr. said organizers will use the soft opening between mid-September completion and October 2, which falls on a Friday, to test operations and hold practices at the new stadium.
- The Oct. 2 opener marks the 100th anniversary of the original Ryan Field opening on Oct. 2, 1926, and the privately funded Ryan Field project aims to host concerts and other events.
25 Articles
25 Articles
Northwestern will open $862M Ryan Field Oct. 2 vs. Penn State
Northwestern will host its first game at Ryan Field, its revamped football stadium that cost $862 million, in primetime on Friday, Oct. 2, when the Wildcats open Big Ten play against Penn State.The date is notable because it will mark exactly 100 years since Northwestern played its first game at Northwestern Stadium, which was located on the same site, on Oct. 2, 1926.Northwestern will play its first two home games of the 2026 season (vs. South …
Associated Press News
Northwestern will open its new stadium under Friday night lights against Penn State on Oct. 2
Northwestern will open its new stadium under the Friday night lights against Penn State on Oct. 2 after playing two more games on the lakefront next season.
Opening of Northwestern's new Ryan Field set for Oct. 2 Big Ten home opener vs. Penn State
The Northwestern Wildcats won't play in their new $862 million football stadium until their third home game of the 2026 season, when they'll host their Big Ten home opener at the new Ryan Field on Oct. 2.
New Ryan Field won't open until Oct. 2, NU's third home game of season
The new Ryan Field will not be ready for Northwestern’s football season opener against South Dakota State on Sept. 5 or for its following home game against Colorado on Sept. 19. Instead, Northwestern will open its 2026 home schedule with its first two games to be played at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. Northwestern will open the new stadium on Oct. 2 against Penn State in a Friday evening game that will be broadcast nationally o…
Northwestern football team to host 1st game at new Ryan Field exactly 100 years after old stadium hosted its 1st game
The Northwestern football team will play its first game at the new Ryan Field exactly 100 years to the day that the old Ryan Field hosted its first football game.
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