Northwestern breaks ground on new Ryan Field

EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern University celebrated the groundbreaking of the new Ryan Field on Monday.

"This state-of-the-art facility will serve as a vibrant venue for the Evanston community, hosting events such as winter festivals, family movie nights, and youth sports events," Northwestern President Michael Schill said in a statement.

Set to open in 2026, the new Ryan Field will also be one of the most accessible stadiums in college football and meet LEED Gold-Certified sustainability standards. It will feature a community park and public greenspaces.

The project is expected to bring significant economic benefits, including more than $659 million in impact to Evanston, $12 million in direct fees, $11 million in permit-related fees, $1.5 million in indirect tax revenue, and over 2,900 jobs.

"This is truly a community-wide effort to enhance the world-class city of Evanston," said Dave Davis, executive director of Neighborhood and Community Relations at Northwestern. "Today, we celebrate being one step closer to achieving that goal."

To stay briefed on the Ryan Field construction progress, click HERE.