What to know about Northwestern's new stadium

Key Points:

• Northwestern will play its inaugural game in the new $875 million Ryan Field stadium against Penn State, marking a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” according to coach David Braun, who praised the stadium as “the best in all of football.”
• The 35,000-seat stadium features premium seating with armrests and cupholders, a safe-standing student section, a canopy roof, and enhanced fan amenities including a high-end food festival with top Chicago culinary names and AI checkout concessions.
• Tickets for the opener sold out quickly, with prices ranging from $142 to over $1,100 for premium club seats, and season ticket packages are available for upcoming games; Ryan Field is now the smallest stadium in the Big Ten by capacity but the most expensive in college football.
• The new stadium replaces the old Ryan Field, which was demolished in 2024 after nearly 100 years of use; Northwestern played recent seasons at alternate venues while the new stadium was constructed with a $480 million gift from the Ryan family.
• Coaches, players, and media have praised the stadium’s design and atmosphere, emphasizing its potential for a strong home-field advantage and its positive impact on recruiting, with the team conducting walk-throughs and practice sessions to prepare for the new venue.