Northwestern alumni in public service and public servants who live or work in Evanston can bring their families to Big Ten football for $25 a seat, beginning with Opening Night on October 2nd
EVANSTON, Ill. — The Ryan Field and Northwestern Athletics today announced Seats for Those Serving, a program that honors the people who serve their communities with $25 tickets to Northwestern football at the new Ryan Field.
Beginning with the first game against Penn State on Friday, October 2, Northwestern alumni in public service and public servants who live or work in Evanston, such as teachers and school staff, nurses and healthcare workers, police officers, firefighters and EMS personnel, members of the military and veterans, state, county and city employees, librarians, social workers and clergy can purchase tickets for $25 each. This price includes fees and taxes, and they can bring up to three guests at the same price. Up to 500 seats will be set aside for the program at each of Northwestern's five home games at Ryan Field this season.
“Ryan Field was built to be the most financially accessible stadium in college football, and this is another example of keeping that promise,” said Pat Ryan Jr., Chairman of the Ryan Field Foundation. “Teachers, nurses, firefighters, police officers, city employees and the Northwestern graduates who chose lives of service show up for all of us, every day. We are deeply grateful, and we want them here cheering on Northwestern football, with their families, at an affordable price."
The new Ryan Field was designed so that every fan receives a premium experience, regardless of the price of the ticket. Because the stadium is cantilevered rather than bowl-shaped, every seat is closer to the field than comparable seats at any other stadium in the country. Every seat features an individual chair with armrests and cupholders; every seat is covered by the canopy, and every ticket includes access to the free pregame festivals.
That same promise extends to financial accessibility. Every Northwestern student attends every game free. Young alumni can attend for as little as $50. And now those who serve can bring their families for $25 a seat. The program is funded directly by the stadium's premium seating: the suites, the clubs and the premium boxes are what make these seats possible.
“The people Seats for Those Serving is for are the ones who show up for everyone else,” said Mark Jackson, Combe Family Vice President for Recreation and Athletics, Northwestern University. “Many of them are our own graduates, who chose careers of service, and many more are the neighbors who make Evanston work. We want them in this building with their families, in real seats, on the biggest nights of the season, and we want Ryan Field to feel like it belongs to them, because it truly does.”
How it works
Eligible fans apply at this link with a short form and a verifying email sent from their work address. Evanston residents who serve outside Evanston include a copy of a driver's license or state ID showing an Evanston address; Northwestern alumni are matched to the University's alumni records. Approved applicants receive a link to purchase their seats or the tickets themselves. Tickets are $25 each, fees and taxes included, for up to four seats per game and up to two games per season. Tickets may be shared with family and friends but may not be posted for resale on third-party ticket sites.
Seats for Those Serving is available for all five 2026 home games at Ryan Field: Penn State (Friday, October 2, Opening Night), Ball State (Saturday, October 10, Homecoming), Rutgers (Saturday, October 24, Family Weekend), Iowa (Saturday, November 7) and Illinois (Saturday, November 28). Applications for Opening Night are open now [through (date set by the ticketing team)]. Northwestern will publish the number of seats used through the program at the end of each season.
The program is part of Northwestern's commitment to Evanston. Northwestern's Office of Community Relations will work with Evanston's schools, hospitals and clinics, city departments, first responders, the public library, faith communities and nonprofit organizations to share the program with the people they serve alongside.
About the New Ryan Field
Home of the Northwestern Wildcats, New Ryan Field is a state-of-the-art sports and entertainment venue designed to be an accessible space for college football. A transformative civic space, it serves as a year-round hub for the Northwestern and Evanston communities, hosting everything from Big Ten football to national championship events and local community festivals.