Ryan Field: Guide for Visiting Fans

The CTA Purple Line is your best friend here — it serves Ryan Field directly at the Central station in Evanston. From downtown Chicago's Loop, take the Purple Line express (weekdays and some game-day service) or the local shuttle to Howard, then transfer — the ride runs roughly 40–50 minutes total. The Central stop puts you right at the stadium's doorstep on Central Street. The Purple Line provides local train service between Linden in Wilmette through Evanston to Chicago, with express service extended to the downtown Loop. On game days, trains run frequently enough that you won't wait long — just expect them to be packed on the return.

From O'Hare International Airport (ORD), take the Blue Line inbound to Clark/Lake or Washington, transfer to the Purple Line or Red Line to Howard, then the Purple Line to Central. Budget about 75–90 minutes. From Midway (MDW), add a Red Line leg — roughly 90 minutes minimum. Neither is a quick haul, but both are doable without a car.

By car, take I-94 north to the Dempster Street exit in Skokie, head east to Evanston, then north on Ridge Avenue to Central Street. From the north, the Edens Expressway (I-94) to Willow Road or Lake Avenue exits work fine. Rideshare drop-off near Central Street is the practical move — Uber and Lyft will route you along the perimeter of the stadium grounds; check Northwestern's game-day communications for designated pickup/drop-off zones near the stadium plazas, as those areas will be finalized once the venue is fully operational.

CTA Purple Line is the cleanest exit. Head straight to Central station after the final whistle — trains run every 10–12 minutes normally, but Northwestern often coordinates additional service on game days. Expect a 10–20 minute wait on the platform and a packed car to Howard. Once at Howard, transfer to the Red Line for anywhere south in Chicago. Wait 15 minutes after the final whistle if you want to avoid the absolute worst of the platform crush, or head out two minutes before the clock hits zero.

Driving out of the east lot clears reasonably once traffic control gets the lights cycling on Central Street, but expect 25–40 minutes before you're on a moving road. The west lot is slower due to the one-way street geometry around the stadium. If you can, position to exit south on Asbury or Ridge rather than fighting the main Central Street corridor. You're realistically not moving well for 30–45 minutes post-game.

Rideshare will surge immediately — $25–45 rides to downtown Chicago are common right after the final whistle. The move: walk three to four blocks east toward Sheridan Road or south toward Noyes Street, open your app once you've cleared the immediate stadium crush, and request from there. The pickup location matters more than the wait time. Alternatively, take the Purple Line to Davis Street and grab a rideshare from downtown Evanston, where surge pricing is typically lower and driver availability is better.

One tip that actually works: if you're taking the train, don't leave your seat the moment the game ends. Let the first wave of Purple Line riders clear the platform, stay for the final two minutes of the game, and catch the second train — you'll get a seat and likely spend no more time total than if you'd rushed out at the two-minute warning.

Parking near Ryan Field has always been the tricky part — this is a dense residential neighborhood with narrow streets and limited lots. Northwestern's remote parking has historically been priced around $25. Expect that to hold or increase slightly for the new stadium's inaugural season. Northwestern operates official lots east and west of the stadium off Ashland Avenue and Ridge Avenue; the west lot is the most convenient but fills earliest — arrive 2+ hours before kickoff if you want it.

Single-game paid accessible parking is limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis in the West Parking Lot across the street from Ryan Field. For non-accessible parking, the Ridge Road North Lot is a solid backup that's a slightly longer walk but much less chaotic to exit.

Honest advice: don't drive. Evanston's grid locks up around the stadium, and the exits are slow regardless of which lot you're in. If you must drive, park in Skokie near a Yellow Line station and hop the CTA in — it's genuinely faster and far less frustrating than sitting in a post-game parking lot for 45 minutes.

Downtown Evanston — clustered around Davis Street, about a mile south of Ryan Field — is your best base. It's walkable to the Purple Line, walkable to good restaurants, and has the only real concentration of hotels in the area. The Hilton Garden Inn Evanston and the historic Hilton Orrington both sit near the Davis Street transit hub and put you a 15-minute walk or a short rideshare from the stadium. The Hilton Orrington is nestled in the ground floor of a historic Evanston building in the heart of downtown.

If budget is tight, you're better off staying in Chicago proper — Rogers Park on the Red Line puts you 30 minutes from the stadium via a Howard transfer, and rates are far cheaper than Evanston's limited hotel stock. Don't bother with suburban hotels along 94 unless you're driving; the commute adds complexity without saving meaningful money.

Ten Mile House is the single best option within walking distance of the stadium. Located in the heart of Evanston's Central Street district, just steps from Ryan Field and Welsh-Ryan Arena, Ten Mile House serves an extensive menu featuring wood-fired pizza, smoked meats, and a diverse selection of comfort food. It's more of an upscale tavern than a sports bar, and it's a great place for a pre- or post-game drink. Book ahead on game days — it fills up fast.

Stacked & Folded is another solid option right by campus. It brings together the comfort of a neighborhood restaurant with the energy of a full-service bar, and it's a favorite for happy hour near campus and casual get-togethers. Good burgers, reasonable tabs, and more of a sports-bar energy than Ten Mile House.

Bluestone sits right on Central Street and leans into its neighborhood bistro identity. It's a Chicago-style restaurant in Evanston offering homestyle cooking in a warm environment, and the owner aimed to create a spot filled with "friendliness and familiar faces." The smoked wings and thin-crust pizza are your orders here. Good for groups before the game.

For a post-game drink with more of a downtown vibe, head to Bat 17 or Whiskey Thief Tavern near Davis Street. Bat 17 leans into the Northwestern purple theme and has plenty of space to accommodate fans post-game. Whiskey Thief is unassuming during the day but turns into a livelier spot after Saturday night football.

After enjoying the neighborhood's vibrant scene, fans can continue the celebration with options inside Ryan Field itself.

Concessions feature Chicago staples alongside game-day favorites, with beer and wine available in select areas. For a brand-new $862 million stadium marketing itself on a premium-for-everyone experience, expect a notch above average Big Ten concessions — budget roughly $12–15 for a beer and $10–14 for a meal item. Although the new Ryan Field reduces seating capacity by 30%, the building will be 78% larger, with more area to accommodate several club and plaza areas for entertainment and dining — so food and beverage variety should be significantly better than the old stadium.

Each ticketed attendee is allowed one clear plastic bag no larger than 12" x 6" x 12" or a one-gallon clear plastic bag. The only non-clear items permitted are small clutch bags no larger than 4.5" x 6.5". This policy was established for the previous Ryan Field and is expected to carry into the new venue — confirm with Northwestern Athletics closer to game day if details change.

Gates open ninety minutes prior to kickoff. For the new stadium, plan to arrive at or shortly after gates open to explore the new concourses and plazas before they fill up. The stadium also features 200,000 square feet of plaza and open spaces around the stadium that will become part of the ticketed area during games — that's a lot of ground to cover before kickoff.

Away fans should note that Ryan Field is a bit of a distance from Northwestern's main campus , meaning the pre-game crowd builds around the stadium itself rather than radiating from a central quad. Get there early, explore the plazas, and don't leave your tailgate timing to chance.

The new Ryan Field was designed with accessibility as a core feature, not an afterthought. The new stadium goes much further than legal requirements, at least doubling all ADA requirements, which fans will see in wider entry points and ramps, expanded terraces for seating, additional grab bars throughout the stadium, and in restroom fixture configurations. The new stadium applies Universal Design standards and is intended to set a new standard for accessibility and inclusivity, making it among the most accessible stadiums in the country.

Plans include 194% of required ADA seating. Accessible parking is available in the West Lot (limited, first-come basis). The venue offers accessible seating and companion options, plus assistive listening upon request. Contact Northwestern Athletics at 888-GO-PURPLE (467-8775) ahead of your visit to arrange seating, elevator access, or shuttle service to the accessible drop-off area.

The new Ryan Field has the Big Ten's smallest capacity at 35,000, but emphasizes the experience for each spectator, with sightlines much closer to the field than traditional bowled stadiums. As Pat Ryan Jr. put it, "our worst seat in this stadium is 100 feet closer to the field than the most expensive seat at the Big House." That's not just marketing — the bowl geometry here is genuinely different.

Away fan sections are typically located in one of the end zones or a corner of the lower bowl; check your ticket carefully and look for visiting fan clusters on the seating map before buying. For the best all-around views, aim for the sideline sections in the mid-level (if the new stadium has one) or corner sections near the end zone where visiting fans tend to cluster. Avoid buying deep in the student section end zone — Northwestern's student section is positioned more like a supporters' section at a top soccer stadium , which means it will be loud, standing, and not welcoming to visitors.

Once you've secured your seat, away fans should know what to expect from the overall atmosphere.

Northwestern's fanbase is polite in the way that a school with a 7% acceptance rate tends to be polite — reserved, not hostile, and occasionally puzzled that you've traveled this far to watch football. You'll rarely face genuine hostility here; the crowd is too dispersed and too well-dressed for that. What you will notice is that the stadium, being in a tight residential neighborhood, has a compressed, almost intimate energy that the old place never had. The new, modern design features a state-of-the-art canopy that will better contain crowd noise , which means even a half-full stadium can get surprisingly loud — don't walk in expecting a quiet afternoon because the Wildcats are the smallest program in the Big Ten. The sightlines from every seat are legitimately excellent, and the plaza spaces give you room to breathe between drives. Come expecting a good football environment, not a hostile one, and you'll leave pleasantly surprised.

What's the closest CTA stop to Ryan Field?

Central station on the CTA Purple Line serves Ryan Field directly and is steps from the stadium entrance on Central Street.

Is the new Ryan Field open for the 2026 season?

Northwestern will play its first two home games of 2026 at Martin Stadium and will debut at the new Ryan Field on October 2, 2026 against the Penn State Nittany Lions. Check the schedule — early-season home games may still be at Martin Stadium.

What's the bag policy at Ryan Field?

One clear plastic bag no larger than 12" x 6" x 12", or a one-gallon clear plastic bag. The only non-clear item permitted is a small clutch no larger than 4.5" x 6.5". Backpacks and standard tote bags are not allowed.

How much does parking cost?

Remote parking has historically been around $25. Official lots near the stadium may be priced higher for the new venue's inaugural season — check Northwestern's game-day parking page before you go.

What's the capacity of the new Ryan Field?

The new stadium has a capacity of 35,000, a reduction of 12,000 from the previous facility and the smallest football stadium in the Big Ten Conference.

Are all seats covered from weather?

The stadium bowl features a canopy that covers all seats, while leaving the playing surface open-air. You'll stay dry in the rain; the players won't.

Where should away fans sit? Aim for lower-bowl end zone or corner sections away from the student section. The new bowl's geometry means there are no truly bad sightlines, so prioritize proximity to fellow away fans over specific row numbers.

How far is Ryan Field from O'Hare Airport? Plan roughly 75–90 minutes via CTA (Blue Line inbound, transfer to Purple Line at Howard, north to Central). It's entirely doable by transit — no rental car needed.