Photo by: Mason Flick/Northwestern Athletics
Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium Announces 2025 Stadium Enhancements
8/5/2025 4:24:00 PM | Football
EVANSTON, Ill. – The second season of Northwestern football on the lakefront is almost here, and improvements to the most unique setting in college football are coming this fall.
The Wildcats will play five home games on Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium, beginning with the home opener against Western Illinois on Friday, Sept. 5. With upgraded fan amenities, new seating options, and a picturesque lakeside setting, the 2025 football season promises to deliver a one-of-a-kind and memorable experience for all attendees.
Premium seating options will be enhanced in 2025, starting with the South Endzone Loge Tables now including all-inclusive food and beverages. New this year, East Prime seating under the video board will be available for all five games, complementing the existing West Prime Sideline seating on the west side. Prime East tickets will also include all-inclusive food and beverages.
For all fans, the audio/visual experience will be improved this fall. A new distributed sound system and improved in-venue video quality will add to the intimate setting at Martin Stadium in every corner of the venue, while still delivering the big-game energy of Big Ten football.
The student section sightlines will shift in 2025, with students now seated in sections N1 and N2. This new location allows students to cheer on the 'Cats as they exit the tunnel from the locker room and positions them closer to the Northwestern sideline.
Gates will open earlier this season to give fans more time to enjoy the lakefront before kickoff. The reimagined Beer Garden area just south of the field will serve as a central hub on gameday, offering a longer window for fans to settle in, connect with friends, and take in the lakeside setting with upgraded food and beverage services available throughout.
A new multi-level bar and beverage structure, built in partnership with InProduction and Space Cube, will anchor the enhanced space. The South Beer Garden will also feature rotating weekly specialty cocktails and local Evanston craft beer, along with brunch-themed options such as Bloody Marys and mimosas for early Saturday start times.
Concession offerings across Martin Stadium will also be upgraded. A new location in the northeast corner will feature Wildcat Sweets, offering funnel cakes, candy, and more. Fans can also look forward to rotating specialty food items in the south concession pavilion, including the NU Stacked Smashburger and Wildcat Melt. Additionally, a rotating lineup of food trucks will bring in fan favorites from Evanston and Chicago, including partnerships with local spots like Soul & Smoke and Fat Shallot.
Also new in 2025, shuttle services will expand to include the Ryan Field West Lot to better accommodate fans parking farther from the lakefront.
The lakefront facility will once again provide a stunning backdrop for Northwestern football, soccer, and lacrosse throughout the 2025 season—bridging the gap between the old Ryan Field and the new state-of-the-art stadium, set to open in fall 2026.
READ MORE: Northwestern's new football stadium is a wonder. It'll be gone in two years (Washington Post)
Tickets are selling fast for the upcoming season with the Oct. 18 matchup against Purdue sold out of single game tickets and all other home games quickly approaching sellout status. Extremely limited numbers of season tickets are still available and can be purchased HERE before they're gone.
Gallery: (8-5-2025) Best Of - 2024 Martin Stadium Sights
The Wildcats will play five home games on Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium, beginning with the home opener against Western Illinois on Friday, Sept. 5. With upgraded fan amenities, new seating options, and a picturesque lakeside setting, the 2025 football season promises to deliver a one-of-a-kind and memorable experience for all attendees.
Premium seating options will be enhanced in 2025, starting with the South Endzone Loge Tables now including all-inclusive food and beverages. New this year, East Prime seating under the video board will be available for all five games, complementing the existing West Prime Sideline seating on the west side. Prime East tickets will also include all-inclusive food and beverages.
For all fans, the audio/visual experience will be improved this fall. A new distributed sound system and improved in-venue video quality will add to the intimate setting at Martin Stadium in every corner of the venue, while still delivering the big-game energy of Big Ten football.
The student section sightlines will shift in 2025, with students now seated in sections N1 and N2. This new location allows students to cheer on the 'Cats as they exit the tunnel from the locker room and positions them closer to the Northwestern sideline.
Gates will open earlier this season to give fans more time to enjoy the lakefront before kickoff. The reimagined Beer Garden area just south of the field will serve as a central hub on gameday, offering a longer window for fans to settle in, connect with friends, and take in the lakeside setting with upgraded food and beverage services available throughout.
A new multi-level bar and beverage structure, built in partnership with InProduction and Space Cube, will anchor the enhanced space. The South Beer Garden will also feature rotating weekly specialty cocktails and local Evanston craft beer, along with brunch-themed options such as Bloody Marys and mimosas for early Saturday start times.
Concession offerings across Martin Stadium will also be upgraded. A new location in the northeast corner will feature Wildcat Sweets, offering funnel cakes, candy, and more. Fans can also look forward to rotating specialty food items in the south concession pavilion, including the NU Stacked Smashburger and Wildcat Melt. Additionally, a rotating lineup of food trucks will bring in fan favorites from Evanston and Chicago, including partnerships with local spots like Soul & Smoke and Fat Shallot.
Also new in 2025, shuttle services will expand to include the Ryan Field West Lot to better accommodate fans parking farther from the lakefront.
The lakefront facility will once again provide a stunning backdrop for Northwestern football, soccer, and lacrosse throughout the 2025 season—bridging the gap between the old Ryan Field and the new state-of-the-art stadium, set to open in fall 2026.
READ MORE: Northwestern's new football stadium is a wonder. It'll be gone in two years (Washington Post)
Tickets are selling fast for the upcoming season with the Oct. 18 matchup against Purdue sold out of single game tickets and all other home games quickly approaching sellout status. Extremely limited numbers of season tickets are still available and can be purchased HERE before they're gone.
Football - Oregon at Northwestern Postgame Press Conference (9/13/25)
Saturday, September 13
Football - 'Cats Fall to No. 4 Oregon (9/13/25)
Saturday, September 13
Football - Western Illinois Cinematic Recap (9/5/25)
Monday, September 08
Football - Week 3 Monday Press Conference (9/8/25)
Monday, September 08
