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. Progress is building toward a new community asset and an exciting era in Wildcat athletics.
Construction Updates
Student bleachers are going in
January 15, 2026
This week, work continues on loading dock concrete and footings. Around the stadium, seating brackets and anchors are being installed, and interior partitions continue. Meanwhile, stadia steps continue on newly set precast. On the east side, work has started on excavation to subgrade. In the student section, bleachers are going in. Exterior façade work continues on the north side. And up above, canopy roofing proceeds on the south side.
Canopy roofing proceeds
January 8, 2026
As work ramps up again after the holidays, crews are pouring concrete and footings for the loading dock. Seating brackets and anchors are being installed. East site work is set to begin as the temporary office and trailers are demobilized. Student bleachers are going in. Work continues throughout the stadium on interior partitions. On the south side, canopy roofing proceeds. Stadia aisle steps continue on newly set precast. And, the exterior façade progresses along the north side of the stadium.
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.