Reduced Concerts
Reduce the fixed number of concerts in the ordinance to six per year to balance the need to realistically operate the venue while addressing the concerns of neighbors.
Ryan Field: A New Vision
A Project of Northwestern University
The new Ryan Field will create a world-class home for Northwestern University Athletics and a best in the nation football experience for fans, players, and a year-round asset for the community.
The project will be privately funded - with no taxpayer financing and significant public benefits.
Commitments
Rebuilding Ryan Field, one year in
March 13, 2025
If you’ve been on Central Street in the past year, you’ve seen the early stages of Ryan Field as it transforms from a historic 1926 stadium to a massive excavation and construction site.
Progress is building toward an exciting new era in Wildcat athletics and a community asset for the Northwestern and Evanston communities.
> Related video: Watch a year’s worth of construction in 60 seconds.
Construction Updates
Pavers and concrete pours
September 4, 2026
This week, crews are working on:
- Pavers on the south side of the stadium
- Soil, bushes and shrubs on the east side
- Exposed aggregate concrete pours
- Stadium seat anchor and support system installation
Pavers outside the stadium
August 28, 2026
This week, crews are working on:
- Fiber cement wall panel installation on the main and upper concourses and the loft level
- Resinous flooring on various levels
- Field wall padding
- Wayfinding signage throughout the stadium
- Exterior signage at east elevation over the east patio
- First chandeliers in the East Big Ten Club
Stay Informed
For more information on this project as it evolves, consider the following resources.
Moving Forward Together
We are moving forward in a way that we believe realizes the benefits of the stadium redevelopment, while addressing community concerns. Based on that feedback, Northwestern is willing to modify its zoning application to significantly reduce the number of events hosted at the stadium annually while still ensuring financial viability.
No More Unlimited 10K-person Events
No longer asking to modify the original text amendment request that allowed for an unlimited number of 10,000-person University events.
Limit Community-Based Activities
Limit community-based activities at the stadium and plazas to 60 days per year.
An Opportunity to Increase Equity for All of Evanston
We are excited to announce additional financial benefits tied to the Ryan Field redevelopment:
$10M
additional commitment from the Ryan Family will enable the University to create an Evanston workforce technology upskilling program.
$2M
minimum guarantee in annual tax and fee revenue to the City of Evanston tied to events at the new stadium.
$500K
annually to support Evanston Public Schools via the application of a ticket surcharge to concerts at Ryan Field.
$250K
annually to support a signature Evanston/Northwestern event that will benefit our entire community as directed by city leadership.