Northwestern Softball to Celebrate Opening Day at Kirkpatrick Stadium on Saturday, October 3

EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern Softball will welcome fans to the newly opened Kirkpatrick Stadium for opening day festivities on Saturday, Oct. 3. The event is free and open to the public.

Fan fest activities begin at 12:30 p.m., with a fall exhibition game against Bradley following at 2 p.m. CT.

Fan fest will include poster making and bracelet making tables, a face painter, food trucks, drink stations and yard games. An opening day commemorative poster will be available for fans who arrive early.

Former Northwestern Softball player and Big Ten Network analyst Sydney Supple will emcee the event, interviewing current and former Wildcats in-venue throughout the game.

Fans can RSVP at https://app.nusports.com/sbopeningday.

Kip and Sara Kirkpatrick Stadium, home to Northwestern Softball, opened in September 2026 following a $5 million gift from Northwestern Trustee and former student-athlete Kip Kirkpatrick '94, '97 MBA and his wife, Sara Kirkpatrick. The playing surface remains Sharon J. Drysdale Field, honoring the NFCA Hall of Fame coach for whom the field was first named upon her retirement in 2001.

The venue reimagines the Wildcats' home for a Big Ten Championship program. Upgrades include a team clubhouse with a players' lounge and new locker rooms, centrally located student-athlete support spaces for training and development, new dugouts connected to the home clubhouse, and a new seating bowl and concourse with chairback seating. An expansive press box supports full television and radio coverage, and a new entrance and courtyard provide space for tailgating and gameday gatherings. Improved ADA accessibility and stadium lights round out the upgrades throughout the venue.

Kirkpatrick Stadium was officially dedicated on Friday, Sept. 18.