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
Concrete masonry on field level
May 8, 2026
This week, Ryan Field construction crews continue to make progress on the following:
- Site concrete work with compaction at the northeast end of the site for site improvements
- Site concrete work at the northwest end for site improvements
- Landscaping at the northwest end with Silva Cells installation
- Site work at the north lot
- Burnish block panels installation on the east side
- Limestone panels installation on the north side proceeding to the west
- Limestone panel framing on the west side
- Stadium seat anchor and support system installation
- Stadium general admission-style seating installation and detailing on the west upper bowl
- Student bleacher wall closure and stair installation
- Canopy underside speaker cluster installation
- Scoreboard facade framing and metal panel installation
- Ribbon video board delivery and installation
- Interior light gauge metal framing partitions throughout the stadium
- Drywall hanging and finishing at the field level
- Concrete masonry on field level, main concourse, upper concourse, as well as elevator shafts and mechanical shafts
- Overhead mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP) and fire protection throughout the stadium
- Overhead MEP pipe insulation within the stadium
- MEP in-wall rough-in at all levels of the stadium
- Metal decking operations for the marketplaces and concessions located on the upper concourse
- Subroof installation at the south side and north side upper concourse scoreboards
- Spray foam insulation
- Miscellaneous metal and steel stair installation
- Ceramic wall tile installation in main concourse and field level restrooms
- Toilet accessory install in main concourse restrooms
- Storefront glazing installation at marketplaces on the main concourse
- Storefront wall tile and metal panels at the marketplaces on the main concourse
- Fiber cement wall panels on the main and upper concourses
- Resinous flooring on main concourse corridors
Scoreboard facade framing
May 1, 2026
This week, Ryan Field construction crews continue to make progress on the following:
- Southeast storm trap precast concrete structure installation, backfill and compaction
- Site concrete work at the northwest and northeast ends of the site for site improvements
- Landscaping at the northwest end with Silva Cells Installation
- Site work at the north lot
- Limestone panels installation on the east, north and west sides
- Stadium general admission-style seating installation and detailing on the mid-bowl and on the upper west bowl
- Student bleacher wall closure and stair installation
- Canopy underside speaker cluster installation
- Scoreboard facade framing and metal panel installation
- Ribbon video board delivery and installation
- Interior light gauge metal framing partitions throughout the stadium
- Drywall hanging and finishing at the field level
- Concrete masonry on field level, main concourse, upper concourse, as well as elevator shafts and mechanical shafts
- Overhead and in-wall mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP) and fire protection throughout the stadium
- Overhead MEP pipe insulation within the stadium
- Metal decking operations for the marketplaces and concessions located on the upper concourse
- Subroof installation at the southside main concourse and upper concourse scoreboards
- Spray foam insulation
- Miscellaneous metal and steel stair installation
- Ceramic wall tile installation in main concourse and field level restrooms
- Toilet accessory install in main concourse restrooms
- Storefront glazing installation at marketplaces on the main concourse
- Fiber cement wall panels on the main and upper concourses
- Resinous flooring on main concourse corridors
The City of Evanston has commenced its watermain replacement project along Central Street. If you have questions about this particular project, please contact the 311 Center.
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.