Visiting Evanston for a Game?

Evanston is served primarily by Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), located approximately 15 miles away with a drive time of roughly 22-40 minutes depending on traffic. The most budget-friendly option is the CTA Blue Line from ORD into the Loop, then transferring to the Red Line toward Howard and switching to the Purple Line into Evanston, totaling about 90 minutes to two hours; CTA rail fares are $2.75 per ride as of 2026, and the Ventra system allows free transfers within a two-hour window. Rideshare via Uber or Lyft averages about $49 from ORD to Evanston, while the Pace Bus Route 250 offers a connection from O'Hare's Multi-Modal Facility (MMF) — reached via the airport's free Airport Transit System (ATS) people mover — to the Davis Street CTA station in downtown Evanston.

Evanston is a walkable, transit-friendly city where a car is largely unnecessary for sports fans. For Ryan Field and Welsh-Ryan Arena, the CTA Purple Line's Central Street station is the correct stop — Ryan Field sits just a few blocks east of the station. For Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium, disembark at the Purple Line's Noyes station and walk approximately a half-mile east along Noyes Street to Sheridan Road, following event signage to the lakefront venue. Uber and Lyft are widely available throughout the city for post-game travel when trains are crowded. While Ryan Field is a manageable walk or short rideshare from downtown Evanston hotels, Martin Stadium's lakefront location on the northeast edge of campus makes a rideshare or the Purple Line the practical choice from most downtown accommodations, making a rental car an unnecessary expense for most visitors.

Downtown Evanston, centered around the Davis Street and Church Street corridors, is the best base for sports fans, putting you within walking distance of the CTA Purple Line, pregame bars, and restaurants. Top options in this area include the Graduate by Hilton Evanston, the historic Hilton Orrington, and the Hilton Garden Inn Chicago North Shore/Evanston, with rates generally ranging from about $100 to $200 per night. Budget-conscious fans can find cheaper options in nearby Skokie or Lincolnwood, both a short rideshare away. Book well in advance for Northwestern home football weekends, especially rivalry games, as Evanston's limited hotel inventory fills quickly.

Evanston offers a rare double-header opportunity for traveling fans: Northwestern Wildcats football at Ryan Field in the fall and NWSL action with Chicago Stars FC at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium in the spring and summer. Northwestern's fan base carries serious Big Ten loyalty and rivalry intensity, particularly against Illinois and Wisconsin, and the lakeside campus setting makes game day uniquely scenic. The CTA Purple Line puts you just 45 to 60 minutes from downtown Chicago, meaning you can easily tack on a Cubs game at Wrigley Field (about 7 miles south) or a Bulls or Blackhawks game at the United Center before or after your Evanston sports experience. Evanston itself is a dry city in parts of its history but now has a solid pregame bar and restaurant scene concentrated on Church Street and Sherman Avenue near the Davis Street station.