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
Steel on the south and west sides
May 15, 2025
Along the west and south ends of the stadium, steel continues to go up. Precast erection continues along the upper concourse, and work will begin next week on the upper bowl. Meanwhile, crews continue to pour concrete on grade and deck levels. Shallow underground MEP rough-in continues, as does spray fireproofing operations. Interior masonry and partition walls are mobilizing, and crews soon will start building the interior walls. Also, storm line work continues to progress.
Visible shell takes shape
May 8, 2025
As the visible shell of the new Ryan Field takes shape, structural steel erection continues for the upper bowl and scoreboard. Precast installation continues on the upper concourse, and it will soon start on the upper bowl seating. Work also continues on fireproofing as well as placing concrete slabs on the upper concourse, main concourse, field level and loft level.
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.