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Northwestern Sets Oct. 2 Ryan Field Debut vs. Penn State in Primetime

The $862 million, 35,000-seat venue will finish in mid-September, giving the school time to test operations before the televised opener.

Overview

  • The first two 2026 home games — Sept. 5 vs. South Dakota State and Sept. 19 vs. Colorado — will be played at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium.
  • Fox will televise the Friday night Big Ten opener, which lands exactly 100 years after the original stadium’s first game on Oct. 2, 1926.
  • Project leaders expect construction completion in mid-September, with stormwater permitting and severe winter weather cited for earlier delays.
  • The project is described as privately funded at approximately $862 million, with capacity reduced to about 35,000 seats and an emphasis on modern amenities.
  • After the Penn State game, Northwestern plans to host five additional home dates at the new stadium, including Ball State, Rutgers, Iowa and Illinois.