Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium: Guide for Visiting Fans

The CTA is your cleanest option by a wide margin. The CTA Purple Line connects downtown Chicago to Evanston via transfer from the Red Line at Howard; disembark at Noyes Station for a roughly 20-minute walk to Martin Stadium, or hop on the free Chicago Stars FC shuttle running continuously pre- and post-match from Noyes Station to the North Gate. That shuttle is not a maybe — it's confirmed and complimentary, so use it, especially on a cold night.

For those arriving via Metra's Union Pacific North (UP-N) Line, Evanston Central Street station is the most convenient stop, though it is significantly further from Martin Stadium than it is from the old Ryan Field. The smarter Metra move: ride to Davis Street and transfer to the CTA Purple Line, which has an adjacent Davis station, then take the Purple Line to Noyes.

Rideshare vehicles can drop passengers off along Sheridan Road near campus; a designated rideshare pickup point has been established on Colfax Street between Orrington Avenue and Sheridan Road.

Driving from Chicago? Take I-94 north to Evanston, exit at Dempster or Central Street, and expect to spend at least 30–45 minutes in traffic on match day. From O'Hare International Airport (ORD), budget 35–50 minutes by car; from Midway (MDW), it's closer to an hour. The far better move from either airport is the CTA to downtown Chicago, then the Red/Purple Line transfer north.

Parking near Martin Stadium is genuinely one of the more annoying parts of this visit, and you should know that going in. There is no casual street parking near Martin Stadium — the surrounding areas are covered in No Parking signs — and even official parking locations can be a significant distance away, with some spots running well over $100.

The official Chicago Stars option: parking is available in the South Garage (184 Sheridan Rd.) on a first-come, first-serve basis. ADA parking is available at the North Campus Parking Garage, and golf carts can be requested to assist fans to the stadium. For the shuttle lots: the Ryan Field West Lot (entrance adjacent to Mustard's Last Stand) is served via the Central Street Metra Station, and the 1026 Central Street parking lot is accessible via the Central Street Purple Line stop. Expect to pay $25–50 for reserved spots when booked in advance through the club; walk-up prices can be higher. The honest advice: park at a Purple Line or Metra station further south, ride the train in, and take the free shuttle from Noyes. It is faster, cheaper, and you won't spend 40 minutes trying to exit a lot surrounded by residential streets.

Evanston is about 20 miles from downtown Chicago, which has a ton to see and do, but staying closer to Northwestern's campus lets you avoid Chicago's infamous traffic. The best base is downtown Evanston, specifically the blocks around Davis Street and Sherman Avenue. This puts you steps from the Purple Line, walkable to pre-match bars and restaurants, and about a mile from the stadium — manageable on foot or a quick shuttle ride.

Hotel options in the area include the Hilton Garden Inn on Maple Ave (solid mid-range, validated parking garage next door), the Hilton Orrington, the Graduate by Hilton (the most "college town" of the options, in a good way), and the Hyatt House Chicago/Evanston. Pricing runs mid-range to somewhat expensive given proximity to Northwestern — expect roughly $180–250 a night for a decent room on match day. Booking downtown Evanston over a downtown Chicago hotel also means you don't have to navigate the Loop the next morning with a full stadium bag.

Tapas Barcelona (1615 Chicago Ave) is a reliable pre-match option — a festive, warm space for Spanish small plates adorned with colorful modern art and posters. It books up on event days, so either arrive early or have a backup.

Bat 17 (1709 Benson Ave) is the most Northwestern-adjacent sports bar in Evanston, covered in purple and with plenty of space to accommodate fans post-game. It's casual, it's cheap by Evanston standards, and it skews young — which works in your favor if you want to talk soccer with locals who actually know the game.

Garden Grille & Bar (1818 Maple Ave) is inside the Hilton Garden Inn and makes a solid pre-match dinner spot. Located in downtown Evanston just steps from the Northwestern campus, it serves American cuisine and craft cocktails including a Prickly Pear Paloma and Empress Gin Sour. Happy hour runs Monday–Friday 4–6PM with $4 beer and wine and $5 cocktails.

Tomate Fresh Kitchen (914 Noyes St.) deserves a mention specifically because of its location. Located right on Noyes Street near the Purple Line's Noyes stop, it serves Mexican food at an accessible price point — making it ideal for a quick bite before catching the shuttle to the stadium, or a post-match wind-down while waiting for the crowds to clear.

Each ticket holder can bring one large clear bag — either a one-gallon Ziploc-style bag or a 12"×6"×12" clear PVC bag — plus a small clutch. The Ziploc option is the most practical: it's cheap, widely available, and gets you through security faster. Medical bags are allowed but must be inspected and tagged upon entry.

Fans may enter through the South Gate starting 2.5 hours before kickoff to access the South Beer Garden, but seating areas open 90 minutes before kickoff. If you want a drink and a look around the lakefront before the match, the South Gate early entry is worth it. The Beer Garden just south of the field serves as a central hub on match day, with a multi-level bar and beverage structure offering local Evanston craft beer.

The stadium has a strict no re-entry policy — once you leave, you're out, with only narrow exceptions for emergencies or returning prohibited items to your vehicle. Don't leave anything you need in the car.

Elevators are located in the Southwest corner of the field/west bleachers, with an additional ADA lift on the South Stands providing access to all seating and south suite levels. All entrances to Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium are street-level and accessible for persons with disabilities.

ADA parking is available at the North Campus Parking Garage, and golf carts can be requested to assist fans to and from the stadium. For those with accessibility needs, golf carts make regular pickups and drop-offs starting four hours before kickoff and running until one hour after the final whistle. ADA seating is available with elevator access throughout the venue. If you have specific accommodation needs, contact Chicago Stars FC ticket services at 773-880-2460 in advance.

The close-to-the-pitch layout at Martin Stadium creates crisp sightlines from nearly every section — this is a 12,000-seat ground, not a 60,000-seat NFL stadium, so there are genuinely no terrible seats. That said, away fans should prioritize the lower rows on the east or north end, where sightlines are clean and you're close enough to the touchline to feel the match.

Chicago Stars FC has announced a dedicated "Chicago Stars FC Fan Zone" along the nearby lakefront on match days — away supporters looking to gather pre-match should head there and assess the vibe before committing to a section. The north stands on the temporary bleacher structure are higher than the rest of the ground, which can mean a significant stair climb — the temporary stands on that side are much taller than those on any other side of the ground. Go lower whenever you can.

The stadium operates on a cashless basis , so leave the cash in your pocket and have a card or phone ready at every stand. Concession offerings include the NU Stacked Smashburger and Wildcat Melt as rotating specialty items, alongside a lineup of local food trucks featuring partnerships with Chicago favorites like Soul & Smoke and Fat Shallot. The South Beer Garden features rotating weekly specialty cocktails and local Evanston craft beer, plus brunch options like Bloody Marys and mimosas for early kickoffs. Expect to pay $12–16 for a beer and $14–20 for a full meal item — standard NWSL pricing, nothing shocking.

The Stars played their first official match here in September 2025 against the Orlando Pride and drew more than 10,000 fans — a strong number for an NWSL road test crowd. The home supporters, led by the organized Local 134 supporter group, are present and vocal in bursts, but the overall atmosphere skews toward the engaged-and-passionate rather than the hostile-and-threatening. If you bring a real away contingent, you will absolutely hear your own songs. The thing first-timers don't expect: the stadium is notably vulnerable to the winds off Lake Michigan, and can be significantly colder than anywhere else in the area — even on a summer evening that seemed reasonable when you left your hotel, the lakefront will remind you that Evanston is not the suburbs. Bring a layer regardless of the forecast, and if there's any wind advisory in effect, bring two.

Transit: The free Chicago Stars shuttle restarts immediately after the match, picking up fans at Lincoln & Sheridan and Garrett & Sheridan and returning to the Ryan Field West Parking and 1026 Central St. shuttle lots. Wait 10–15 minutes after the final whistle for the initial crush to clear, then ride the shuttle back to Noyes rather than walking — you'll beat the crowd by letting others stream out on foot while you wait in the warm (or less-windy) post-match zone. From Noyes, southbound Purple Line trains run continuously; expect a 3–5 minute wait. The full trip back to downtown Chicago runs 30–45 minutes depending on your destination.

Driving: Even official parking lots near Martin Stadium involve significant walking , and the residential grid around campus means there's only one or two real exit routes onto Sheridan Road. Wait at least 20–30 minutes after the final whistle before even walking back to your car. The South Garage exits onto Sheridan Road — head south, not north. Traffic clears faster heading toward Central Street and then west to either Chicago Avenue or the expressway.

Rideshare: The designated rideshare pickup is on Colfax Street between Orrington Avenue and Sheridan Road . Do not order your ride from the stadium footprint — walk the five minutes to Colfax before you request, and request once you're actually moving toward it. Surge pricing after popular matches can double or triple standard fares; waiting 20–25 minutes in a bar or the Fan Zone tends to cut surge by half. The opinionated tip: if it's a good-weather evening, walk south along the lakefront path for 10–15 minutes before summoning a car — you'll be in a lower-demand zone with better pricing and shorter waits.

How do I get to Martin Stadium from downtown Chicago?

Take the CTA Purple Line (via transfer from the Red Line at Howard) to Noyes Station, then either walk about 20 minutes to the stadium or take the free Chicago Stars FC shuttle directly to the North Gate.

What is the bag policy at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium?

Each fan may bring one large clear bag — either a one-gallon Ziploc-style bag or a standard 12"×6"×12" clear PVC bag — plus a small clutch purse. No opaque backpacks or tote bags.

How much does parking cost at Martin Stadium? Expect $25–50 for pre-purchased reserved spots through the club, though walk-up spots near the stadium are scarce and some official lots are well over $100. The South Garage (184 Sheridan Rd.) is the closest first-come, first-serve option.

What time do gates open at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium?

The South Gate opens 2.5 hours before kickoff for Beer Garden access; the seating areas open 90 minutes before kickoff. Plan to arrive at the South Gate early if you want to walk the lakefront and grab a drink before finding your seat.

Where should away fans sit at Martin Stadium? Lower rows on the east side or near the north end give clean sightlines and a closer pitch experience. Avoid the upper rows of the north stands if you dislike steep climbs — the temporary bleacher structure there is significantly taller than any other section in the ground.

Is the stadium cashless?

Yes — the stadium operates on a cashless basis. All concessions and merchandise require a card or contactless payment. Load up a mobile wallet before you arrive.

What airport should I fly into for a Chicago Stars FC match? O'Hare (ORD) is the larger hub and better connected to the CTA, though Midway (MDW) works for Southwest travelers. From O'Hare, take the CTA Blue Line to downtown, then transfer to the Red/Purple Line — total travel time to Noyes Station is around 60–75 minutes. From Midway, add another 15–20 minutes via the Orange Line.

Can I bring outside food or drink into the stadium?

Alcoholic beverages cannot be brought into Martin Stadium , and the clear bag policy limits what you can practically carry in. Non-alcoholic sealed bottles are generally permitted but confirm current policy with the club before your visit.