As construction cranes hovered over the space where Ryan Field once stood, renderings of Northwestern University’s new stadium were unveiled Monday.
The $850 million stadium will not only serve as home to Northwestern’s football program, but will also host other events.
“This venue will be more than a game day destination,” said Mark Jackson, Northwestern vice president of athletics and recreation. “It is an inclusive, year-round gathering place that strengthens our community and our university’s connection to the world of sports.”
The 35,000 seats are designed to place fans as close to the pitch as possible, promising “better than TV” sightlines.
There will also be 200,000 square feet of parks and plazas around the stadium for tailgating and other pregame activities as well as seasonal events. The new stadium will also feature four premium clubs which will be available all year round.
Stadium designers plan to use engineering to create a better home field advantage, essentially by capturing all the sound coming from the stands and pushing it back toward the field.
Noise was a major concern among residents who objected to the university hosting concerts and other events.
But the Evanston City Council’s approval cleared the way for construction of the new venue, which, unlike plans for a new White Sox or Bears stadium, does not require public money.
The Wildcats will play this season and next in a temporary lakefront stadium. The new Ryan Field is expected to be completed in 2026.
