Northwestern University Athletics

2025 Football Game Themes Announced
8/19/2025 8:38:00 AM | Football
EVANSTON, Ill. – Ahead of another exciting home schedule in 2025, Northwestern Football announced its 2025 promotional schedule for the Wildcats' seven home games.
Northwestern's home opener against Western Illinois, highly anticipated Big Noon Kickoff vs. Oregon on FOX, Homecoming game against ULM and Family Weekend against Purdue highlight the early portion of home games to be played along the shores of Lake Michigan at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. Home games at Wrigley Field to end the regular season will feature Military Appreciation Day vs. Michigan and Senior Day against Minnesota.
On Saturday, October 18, Northwestern will also celebrate the 30-year anniversary of its historic 1995 team that collected a Big Ten title and made an appearance in the 1996 Rose Bowl in what marked the Wildcats' first Rose Bowl appearance in 47 years.
PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS TODAY!
Home opener vs. Western Illinois (Friday, Sept. 5 | Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium)
What to Wear: Purple
The 'Cats open their home slate against Western Illinois on the lakefront on Sept. 5. Fans are encouraged to pack the stands in purple NU gear. Early arriving fans will receive purple Fight for Victory Flags.
Big Ten Opener / FOX Big Noon Kickoff vs. Oregon (Saturday, Sept. 13 | Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium)
What to Wear: Purple
The Big Ten portion of NU's schedule begins with a bang when FOX Big Noon Kickoff comes to Evanston for the Wildcats' nationally broadcast home test against defending Big Ten champion Oregon.
Northwestern will also welcome its students back to campus for Wildcat Welcome weekend. Fans are encouraged to wear purple, and purple 'Fight for Victory' flags will be issued.
vs. UCLA (Saturday, Sept. 27 | Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium)
What to Wear: Purple
The Wildcats and Bruins meet for the first time since the 2005 Sun Bowl when UCLA comes to Evanston in late September. It will also mark the first time the two teams face off in Evanston since October of 1969.
Homecoming vs. Louisiana Monroe (Saturday, Oct. 4 | Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium)
What to Wear: Purple
Northwestern's Homecoming festivities will take place during the weekend of the Wildcats' final nonconference game of the regular season against Louisiana Monroe.
Family Weekend vs. Purdue (Saturday, Oct. 18 | Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium)
What to Wear: Black
The Wildcats' final game of year on the lakefront will also feature Family Weekend and celebrate a monumental year in NU football history. 2025 marks the 30-year anniversary of the historic Big Ten Champion 1995 season in which the Wildcats made their second Rose Bowl appearance. Northwestern will honor the landmark team during the Purdue game.
Black Fight for Victory Flags will be distributed to fans.
Heroes Game vs. Michigan (Saturday, Nov. 15 | Wrigley Field)
What to Wear: Purple
Northwestern returns to the Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field on Nov. 15 against Michigan for the program's Military Appreciation Game in which NU honors our nation's military.
Senior Day vs. Minnesota (Saturday, Nov. 22 | Wrigley Field)
What to Wear: Black
The 2025 Northwestern home schedule concludes at Wrigley Field against Minnesota. The Wildcats will celebrate its senior class on Senior Day.
Northwestern's home opener against Western Illinois, highly anticipated Big Noon Kickoff vs. Oregon on FOX, Homecoming game against ULM and Family Weekend against Purdue highlight the early portion of home games to be played along the shores of Lake Michigan at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. Home games at Wrigley Field to end the regular season will feature Military Appreciation Day vs. Michigan and Senior Day against Minnesota.
On Saturday, October 18, Northwestern will also celebrate the 30-year anniversary of its historic 1995 team that collected a Big Ten title and made an appearance in the 1996 Rose Bowl in what marked the Wildcats' first Rose Bowl appearance in 47 years.
PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS TODAY!
Home opener vs. Western Illinois (Friday, Sept. 5 | Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium)
What to Wear: Purple
The 'Cats open their home slate against Western Illinois on the lakefront on Sept. 5. Fans are encouraged to pack the stands in purple NU gear. Early arriving fans will receive purple Fight for Victory Flags.
Big Ten Opener / FOX Big Noon Kickoff vs. Oregon (Saturday, Sept. 13 | Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium)
What to Wear: Purple
The Big Ten portion of NU's schedule begins with a bang when FOX Big Noon Kickoff comes to Evanston for the Wildcats' nationally broadcast home test against defending Big Ten champion Oregon.
Northwestern will also welcome its students back to campus for Wildcat Welcome weekend. Fans are encouraged to wear purple, and purple 'Fight for Victory' flags will be issued.
vs. UCLA (Saturday, Sept. 27 | Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium)
What to Wear: Purple
The Wildcats and Bruins meet for the first time since the 2005 Sun Bowl when UCLA comes to Evanston in late September. It will also mark the first time the two teams face off in Evanston since October of 1969.
Homecoming vs. Louisiana Monroe (Saturday, Oct. 4 | Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium)
What to Wear: Purple
Northwestern's Homecoming festivities will take place during the weekend of the Wildcats' final nonconference game of the regular season against Louisiana Monroe.
Family Weekend vs. Purdue (Saturday, Oct. 18 | Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium)
What to Wear: Black
The Wildcats' final game of year on the lakefront will also feature Family Weekend and celebrate a monumental year in NU football history. 2025 marks the 30-year anniversary of the historic Big Ten Champion 1995 season in which the Wildcats made their second Rose Bowl appearance. Northwestern will honor the landmark team during the Purdue game.
Black Fight for Victory Flags will be distributed to fans.
Heroes Game vs. Michigan (Saturday, Nov. 15 | Wrigley Field)
What to Wear: Purple
Northwestern returns to the Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field on Nov. 15 against Michigan for the program's Military Appreciation Game in which NU honors our nation's military.
Senior Day vs. Minnesota (Saturday, Nov. 22 | Wrigley Field)
What to Wear: Black
The 2025 Northwestern home schedule concludes at Wrigley Field against Minnesota. The Wildcats will celebrate its senior class on Senior Day.
Football - ULM Game Week Press Conference (9/29/25)
Monday, September 29
Football - UCLA Postgame Press Conference (9/27/25)
Sunday, September 28
Football - Ground Game Leads 'Cats Past UCLA, 17-14 (9/27/25)
Saturday, September 27
Football - Week 5 Monday Press Conference (9/22/25)
Monday, September 22